Recap: Inside The American Heart Association’s 2023 “Go Red For Women” Red Dress Collection Concert

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Source: Getty Images For The American Heart Association
 
Heart disease definitely doesn’t discriminate — it can literally affect any age, race and/or gender — yet at the same time we as African Americans experience it at alarmingly higher rates compared to others. Putting that number into perspective, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released data that confirmed African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
With that said, heart health should be at the top of everyone’s priority, especially our people!  That’s why we were honored to attend The American Heart Association’s annual “Go Red For Women” Red Dress Collection Concert this past Wednesday night (Feb. 1) in — no pun intended! — the heart of New York City.
 
 
 
Getty Images For The American Heart Association
 
RELATED: Go Red: How To Make Sure You Have Heart Health
 
The elegant night capped off at NYC’s Jazz At The Lincoln Center, specifically the venue’s astounding Appel Room. The glass window that gives view to the 59th Street entrance of Central Park made for a perfect backdrop to the many, many red dresses on display. Prominent women from all parts of the industry walked the show, including Anika Noni Rose-Dirden, India de Beaufort, Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke, Chrishell Stause, Melissa Fumero, Ashley Greene, Kyle Richards, Folake Olowofoyeku, Melba Moore, Danielle Moné Truitt, Teri Hatcher, Cara Buono, Dylan Dreyer, Tisha Campbell, Amanda Warren, Ginger Gonzaga, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Paulina Alexis, Hena Doba and Phoebe Robinson. Many attendees of the night matched the ladies’ flyness, with most of the room dressed to the nines in their best red outfit and/or accessories.
Music of the night was handled by UK pop sensation Rita Ora and an acoustic headlining set by rock/country legend Sheryl Crow. At the young age of 60, which she proudly boasted in-between hits, the “Steve McQueen” guitar queen commanded the night with conviction and an abundance of grace.
Star Jones, America Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown and Susan Lucci played hosts for the night, and special guests included Nina Hamlin and Mario Hamlin, parents of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin who recently put heart health on the map in a big way following his in-game cardiac arrest while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals last month (Jan. 2) at Paycor Stadium. Joined onstage by Elisabeth Röhm, Mrs. Hamlin showed strength as she discussed easily the scariest moment of her son’s life as well as her own.
We send a very special thank you to The American Heart Association for extending an invite to be part of such an initiative, which was made possible with respect to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s The Heart Truth program. Until next year!
 
 
 
Designer: Rita Vinieris
Designer: Jay Godfrey
Designer: Alexander by Daymor
Designer: FouyChov Couture
Designer: Galia Lahav
Designer: Marc Bouwer
Designer: Hervé Léger
Designer: Gustavo Cadile
Designer: Anne Barge
Designer: AGGI
Designer: Alex Teih
Designer: Cavanagh Baker
Designer: Tarik Ediz
Designer: Rene Ruiz
Designer: Teuta Matoshi
Designer: NARCES
Designer: Rubin Singer
Designer: Catherine Regehr
Designer: Pamella Roland
“I’ve been seeing some of the ads that [AHA] has been doing, and they’re very informative and serious in letting people know things, like getting pregnant isn’t such a simple thing — it can give you heart problems! It’s information you should know, and to invite me to be part of it is such a great honor.
I’ve been ill, but now well, but also lost people in my family to stroke and heart disease. It helps me to take better care of myself, and to also give a good example — no fatbacks; avocados! [Laughs]
It’s a great honor for me to be part of what [AHA] is doing. Afrocentric people unfortunately suffer the greatest in society, and heart disease is no different. It’s the greatest killer amongst all women, but for Black women the rate is even higher — for poor people, it’s higher than that! Being that person to say, ‘You can prevent it,’ is an honor.”
“I’m honored to have been asked to be part of this event. My mom actually has heart disease, and she has a pacemaker. I’ve seen the changes that she had to go through in her life due to her heart health. It’s made me very cautious of the stress that I take in, my eating. diet, activeness and working out. I’m doing all that I can to make sure that my heart stays healthy. 
I didn’t realize that women, especially Black women, are less likely to be given CPR from a bystander. If something happened to us on the street, we’re the least likely for someone to help us! I think it’s important for us to know how to do that, just in case i see one of my fellow sisters and she’s struggling. I’ll be able to help her.”
“I’m surprised I haven’t worked with [AHA] before this! It’s very personal to me because a lot of the women in my family all have heart disease, and even passed away from heart disease like my own grandmother. My mother has cardiomyopathy currently, and worked really hard to get it from 20% to 55%, maybe even 60% now. She’s working really hard to be conscious of her physical and mental health.  I, too, have my own cardio issues. I have a cardiologist that is working with me to get me healthier. 
It was easy [to say ‘Yes’] when they asked me. I was like, ‘Oh my God – always wanted to!’ Never walked a catwalk before, so I’m a little nervous. If I trip, I’ll just dance it off [Laughs].
These kind of shows put [heart disease] to the forefront. For the African American community, especially our women who carry so much on their backs, we have to put ourselves first. How can you give to anybody when you well is dry? Us first!”
“I’m the national volunteer for the American Heart Association after being a heart disease survivor for the past 12 years. I’m always here — they know that if it’s a Red Dress event, I’m there!”
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