Last night we walked up three flights of stairs (the elevator was conveniently broken) to the Safe Harbor Loft in SoHo for the second annual Seeds of Africa fundraiser. Seeds of Africa aims to empower African children -- the "seeds" if you will -- through education. Founded by Atti Worku, a former Miss Ethiopia, the non-profit builds community centers which provide tutoring, school supplies, medical support and food to impoverished students and their families.

The goal of the night was to raise $30,000 to build more community centers in Ethiopia. Tickets for the event cost $100, and a silent auction hoped to raise thousands more. Scattered amidst plush couches and chairs was an enticing assortment of goods up for auction. We spotted a Marc Jacobs tote, Knicks tickets, and an Alice and Olivia styling session, among other things. Yet despite the bidding, the party didn't seem so much like a charity event as much as a hip, downtown gathering. Photographers snapped pics of stylish young professional sampling pigs in blankets, beef sliders, and mini ice-cream cones catered by the authentic Southern restaurant Spoonbread Too. All the while, DJ Phresh spun a mix of old soul, R&B, and MJ mash-ups.

With the tunes, open-bar, and cool, downtown vibe, it was easy enough to forget why the party was being thrown in the first place. But a glance along the main wall, to the "candy bar" which, in addition to boasting bowls of gummy bears and M&Ms, housed enlarged photos of doe-eyed, elementary-aged students, reminded us of Seeds' mission. As we sipped on our Seed-Tini, we made a toast to the children of Ethiopia. Let's hope the fundraising was just as successful as the swank soiree.

Photo courtesy of Nicky Digital.