Charlize Theron Brought a Slice of South Africa to Harlem at Her Africa Outreach Project Gala

The blisteringly cold weather last night was no match for the warmth exuded by Charlize Theron at her Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Gala. Held at the Africa Center in Harlem, guests were greeted by the sounds of traditional African drummers while they sipped on South Africa’s finest G&Ts and nibbled on black-eyed pea fritters.

It was a celebration of culture, cuisine, and creativity, bringing together new friends and old, from longtime companions Drew Barrymore and Geoffrey Zakarian to Awkwafina, with whom Theron became acquainted with a mere two weeks ago but admits she was a “secretly obsessed fan for many many years.” What may seem like a whirlwind schedule for some—Theron is coming off the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards and the promotion of her new film Bombshell—doesn’t seem to faze the actress, who was the picture of poise and charm in a slinky gold brocade number by Dior.

“I think she is a very inspiring woman and what she does is very incredible, not only as an actress, but how she also uses her popularity to support other people, and in this case, it is the education for children,” Dior artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri told Vogue. Zakarian, Theron’s two-time collaborator piped in, “You can’t not notice how graceful she is. You see that in 30 seconds and it’s like, whatever you need, I’m in. And then you find out what she actually wants…”

And what she wants is to invest in the youth in South Africa by empowering them with education, resources, and community support to keep them safe from HIV/AIDS, a disease that nearly 7.7 million people in the region are living with. While the project’s focus since 2007 has been sub-Saharan South Africa, Theron told Vogue that the foundation’s reach and impact are expanding in partnership with an organization in Rwanda. As Theron welcomed her guests onstage, she shared the reminder that “we must not forget the power of one. It is one act of courage by one young girl or boy that keeps them healthy and safe. It is one incredible program that reaches out to young people every day that encourages them to make the right decision to secure the future that they dream of.”

The organization’s mission was celebrated and nurtured as the likes of Kweku Mandela, Amy Schumer, Andrew Zimmern, David Kau, Samantha Barry, and Maria Grazia Chiuri indulged in salmon chermoula and jallof fonio, a delectable menu curated by none other than Zakarian, Zimmern and the Africa Center’s chef Pierre Thiam. The evening continued with a comedic act by David Kau, an extravagant auction emceed by the always witty Awkwafina (in a sharp kelly green suit by Bella Freud), and concluded with a spirited performance by Boyz II Men. There wasn’t a dry eye or closed wallet in sight.