Richard Branson Booked for Keynote Address at City Gala’s Playboy Mansion-Set Fundraiser

Call it a Grammys afterparty.

Community Inspiring Today’s Youth (CITY) — a nonprofit that supports and mentors underserved teens and young adults in developing their own small businesses in Los Angeles — has booked the Playboy Mansion for its second CITY Gala Fundraiser, scheduled for Feb. 15, immediately following the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. 

Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Group, will deliver the keynote address with former 98 Degrees pop star Jeff Timmons handling hosting duties. The invitation-only, black-tie fundraiser will feature live musical entertainment, a charitable poker tournament, tours of the Playboy Mansion grounds, celebrity meet-and-greets and a live and silent auction. (With the Playboy Mansion up for sale, it’s surely one of the more in-demand locations in town.) Sponsors of the event include JetSmarter and AirVuz. 

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In a statement Wednesday, Branson said: “It is my privilege to speak at CITY Gala 2016 in support of these at-risk young adults that are starting on a similar challenging entrepreneurial path as I did at their age. To see that they are successfully harnessing their potential through CITY’s 46-week micro entrepreneurship program and how they are launching their own start-up businesses, that is a true testament to the brightness that is emerging from this next generation.”

CITY founder and executive director Chandra Stovall, who founded the organization in 2013, added: “We are beyond honored that Sir Richard Branson is helping us bring awareness to these young budding entrepreneurs and CITY’s business development programs. As one of the world’s most renowned and innovative business leaders, he is the perfect fit to inspire at-risk and underserved youth to take a more directed path in life.”

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Funds raised at the charity gala will support CITY and its nonprofit programs for local youth, as well From the Heart Productions, Fire Life Foundation, the Scheer Foundation and Supporting Our Servicemen. Last year’s event raised more than $350,000. More details and event information can be found at CityGala.org.