Saturday, November 12, 2022

Jeff Zients 56th birthday. I dropped off a signed copy of Harrison’s at his house. An historically memorable day at the National Portrait Gallery. A Gala event was held tonight honoring the inductees to the National Portrait Gallery. It was the highest level of AAA list you could imagine in Washington DC. There was a red carpet entry to the gallery which resembled the red carpet entry into the Academy Awards with multiple TV and radio and print interviews as you walk along the red carpet before you get to the main place where photographs were taken. It started off as a very wamt night for November 12 at 75 F and clear sky, but by the end of the night and into tomorrow morning it got much colder. It was very clear that the extraordinary talent and unique approach that Hugo took captivated the audience of more than 750 people at this gala opening and dinner affair. I was the first awardee who was recognized, being introduced by David Rubenstein. I received a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd (as did others). David gave his usual tongue-in-cheek introduction of me telling the story of how he offered me a “higher calling’ in private equity 12 years ago. I had wonderful conversation with other awaredees and others who expressed sincere appreciation of what I have done over more than 50 years. Of particular note were conversations with Marian Wright Edelman who called me “her hero and a true national treasure”. Also, Jose Andres (he wants to invite me to a private dinner at his home) Clive Davis, Ava DuVernay and Isabel Wilkerson, and Venus Williams (not so much Serena) were very warm towards me. It was an extraordinary affair. In the middle of it, Dan Diamond from the Washington Post texted me that the GOP did not take the Senate and so Rand Paul will not have the opportunity to harass me with senate oversight hearings. We were invited to go across the street by Jose to his restaurant Zaytinya for after hours champagne. He quickly stopped there but Jose had not arrived and so we left a message of greeting to him and took off since it was already 11:50 PM. A truly AMAZING evening!! PRESS: CBS Saturday Morning with Michelle Miller; Der Spiegel article came out (see above);