Figure Skating in Harlem Announces 2013 Skating with the Stars Gala Honoring Fashion Designer B Michael and Journalist Andrea Joyce on Monday, April 8, 2013

NEW YORK, April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrated American couturier and ready-to-wear designer B Michael will be honored along with Emmy®-nominated sportscaster Andrea Joyce on Monday, April 8, 2013 at Figure Skating in Harlem's 2013 Skating with the Stars Gala. 

The Skating with the Stars Gala is Figure Skating in Harlem's annual benefit where the world's greatest skaters, celebrities, corporate and community leaders come together for a fun-filled evening of ice skating at the Trump Rink in Central Park. Esteemed guests and attendees will experience the thrill of skating side-by-side with their favorite Olympians.  Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on exciting auction items at charitybuzz.com to benefit the deserving young girls of Figure Skating Harlem. Tickets are available for purchase by calling 212.222.8240.

"I am humbled by this recognition from Figure Skating Harlem," says B Michael, creative director and founder of b michael AMERICA.  "It is an honor to help these wonderful young ladies and empower them to reach for and achieve their dreams. They are the real stars, and it is important that we all continue to help them shine."

Of the event Andrea Joyce says, "I am truly delighted to be part of the Figure Skating in Harlem Skating with the Stars Gala.  Through my work as a sports reporter at NBC, I have developed a true appreciation and love for figure skating and have learned firsthand the vital importance of an organization like FSH.  I look forward to saluting the dedication and commitment of the students, staff and supporters!"

The 2013 Gala Event Chairs are:  Kenneth Chenault, CEO and Chairman of American Express, and his wife Kathryn Chenault; 2012 honoree Ellen Lowey; Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Chairman of the Board, President and Director of Macy's Inc., and his wife, Tina Lundgren.  The event's Honorary Chairs are phenomenal actresses Phylicia Rashad, Tamara Tunie, and Cicely Tyson. Other notable attendees scheduled to attend include:  actor Federico Castelluccio, designer Kenneth Cole, fashion model and journalist Emme, ice hockey great Rod Gilbert, Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan, entertainment journalist Alicia Quarles, entertainer and entrepreneur Rhonda Ross, news personality Lauren Scala and designer Vera Wang.

Last year's Skating with the Stars Gala honorees were Ellen Lowey, Rhonda Ross and Vera Wang.  The event raised more than $650,000 for Figure Skating Harlem, including $100,000 from The Pioneer Fund to support the expansion of the organization's innovative academic and fitness programs.  

To help provide hundreds of girls from the Harlem community with life changing opportunities you too can make a difference by making a donation online, here.

About Figure Skating in Harlem 
Figure Skating in Harlem is the first non-profit organization of its kind, combining the power of education with the discipline of figure skating to transform young lives and help underserved girls achieve academic success, physical health and emotional well-being.  Founded in 1997 by Sharon Cohen, Figure Skating Harlem's vision is to empower every young girl, regardless of her socio-economic background, with the foundational academic, social and leadership skills to achieve her dreams.

About B Michael 
Fashion innovator, pacesetter and legend B Michael began his career as a milliner and honed his skills as a fashion designer and couturier while working in the ateliers of leading designers including Oscar de la Renta.  B Michael launched his own label in 1998 and is now at the helm of a multi-faceted brand that is 100% made in America and includes the flagship couture collection, and recently released b michael AMERICA RED ready-to-wear collection available at select Macy's nationwide.  A favorite among some of the most photographed women in the world; B Michael's designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Halle Berry, Tamara Tunie and Cicely Tyson, among others.  Mr. Michael has presented collections worldwide and is a dedicated philanthropist and supporter of organizations that educate and empower young people, thereby shaping the leaders of tomorrow.  For more information, please visit http://www.bmichaelamerica.com.

About Andrea Joyce 
Through her work as a television sports reporter, Andrea has been part of the figure skating community for more than 20 years. The upcoming Sochi Olympics in 2014 will be her 11th Olympics. She has been the sideline reporter for numerous Olympic Sports including: soccer, swimming, diving, gymnastics, short track and long track speed skating, freestyle skiing and of course figure skating.  Over the years Andrea has covered the NBA, MLB, NFL and numerous collegiate sporting events, including the NCAA Final Four.  She worked at ESPN for a short time, then at CBS for ten years until 1999, and has been at NBC Sports ever since. Andrea has just been nominated for a National Emmy Award in the category of "Outstanding Sports Reporter." 

Contacts: 

Helen Shelton
Finn Partners, Inc.
212.593.6443
[email protected]

Jennifer Neiderhoffer
imPRess Media
917.699.2939
[email protected]

SOURCE b michael AMERICA