Shelby's Social Diary

Indy car driver breaks out a slinky cocktail dress and sexy heels to rev up Houston's engine

Taking a break from her spins around the track at the Houston Grand Prix, race car driver Michele Bumgarner ditched her firesuit, put on a sleek party dress and headed to the Asia Society Texas Center for the season launch of Leo Bar.

Aiming to become the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500, the Filipina racing wonder shared her personal story and aspirations in an interview format with KHOU Channel 11 news anchor Lily Jang. She credited her supportive family (her mother is a Filipina, her father American) and the support of the Philippines, her home country, with her success.

Even her brother has influenced Bumgarner, who allowed that her cocktail dress was designed by Mark Bumgarner, a Filipino fashion phenom.

The gathering was a joint project of the center's Young Professionals, Bank of America, Filipino Young Professionals, Philippines America Chamber of Commerce Texas and Zulu Creative to launch to the 2013 season of the Asia Society's Leo Bar. The season continues with quarterly Young Professionals happy hours, the next one scheduled for Dec. 5.

Guests schmoozed to the sounds of DJ Baohous while noshing on East Meets West delights from chef Rishi Singh of event sponsor Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar.

The international mix of guests included Sixto Wagan, Gonzo247, Laurette Canizares, Eva Sagisaka, Anthony Guevara, J. Anthony and Liz Referente, Gordon Quan, A.J. Santos, Nick Smith, Tina Ho, Jackie Limbaugh and Henry Yau.

Henry Yau, from left, Erika Yanez and Ed Bermudiz at the Leo Bar relaunch party.

Photo by © Jenny Antill

Henry Yau, from left, Erika Yanez and Ed Bermudiz at the Leo Bar relaunch party.

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Party Watch

From flight to legacy: BRASS marks 30 years of research advocacy in Houston

Baylor Research Advocates BRASS 30th anniversary party

Photo by Wilson Parish

James Craig, Dr. Jacquie Baly, Ann Ayre, and Terri Wang.

What: BRASS 30th Anniversary Celebration

Where: Private residence, River Oaks

The Scoop: A swirl of scientific minds, seasoned mentors, and future biomedical stars filled a River Oaks residence as BRASS (Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists) toasted its 30th anniversary. The May 6 gathering of more than 100 supporters honored three decades of trailblazing mentorship and more than $9 million raised for student scientists at Baylor College of Medicine.

Underwritten by Edna Meyer Nelson and The Richland Companies, the event kicked off with remarks from Elsie Eckert and 2021 BRASS Scholar Sharon Bright, now a rising research force and recipient of the 2024 Don D. Jordan Outstanding Trailblazer Scientist award.

Honors flowed as smoothly as the champagne. Dr. James Bonar received the Angel of the Year Award, while Dr. Ben Deneen and Dr. Ganesh Rao were named Mentors of the Year. A standout presence was Dr. Huda Zoghbi, acclaimed neurologist and longtime BRASS advocate, whose appearance anchored the evening with gravitas and inspiration.

A poignant tribute was paid to one of BRASS’s earliest champions, the late Dr. Michael DeBakey, who helped launch the organization and remains its Honorary Lifetime Member.

Longtime partners like the David and Eula Wintermann Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo were applauded for their multi-million dollar contributions. A moving moment came with the tribute to BRASS Founder Myra Branum Wilson, whose fateful in-flight chat with a Baylor researcher sparked what would become a legacy of scientific support.

Who: Ann Ayre, Tamara Klosz Bonar, Daniel Iron and Kirk Kveton, Dionne Bremen, Andy Delery, Ed McMahon, Hershey Grace, Jody Merritt, Francoise Marks, Peter VanDerlofske, Jacquie Baly and James Craig,, Terri Wang, Beth Wolff, Larry Burns, Cindy Burns,and Shelby Kibodeaux and Bruce Padilla.

Photo by Wilson Parish

James Craig, Dr. Jacquie Baly, Ann Ayre, and Terri Wang.