Cambria Hotel Savannah Downtown Historic District presented a $2,500 check to Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision at their ribbon cutting on Thursday, March 30.
I usually don’t write about ribbon cuttings, but this one is special for me. Let me tell you the back story. A few weeks ago, Cambria Hotel’s Director Rebecca Sterrett called and asked if I was available to take pics for their event. With four other events happening at the same time I told her it would be difficult.
Then I said, “Wait. Did you say Cambria? Is Leonard Massey your GM?”
When Rebecca says yes he is, I replied, “I am not only clearing my schedule, but you are also not paying me.”
If you know me, you know I quit doing free events when my already bad eyesight deteriorated very quickly after shooting too many events. None of that mattered because I have waited a long time for the chance to write about the quiet guy who is the definition of a local success story.
Raised in Savannah by a single parent with six children, Leonard took a job as a dishwasher at a local hotel when he was 17 and a junior at Savannah High School. From working events, to bellman, to the front desk, Leonard worked up the ranks to general manager. From watching his rise in politics to the devastating loss of his brother, I have seen this quiet guy persevere, and I am so so proud of all he has done.
Walking into the new Montgomery Street five-story luxury boutique hotel, I find Leonard talking to one of the hotel owners, Riki Patel. Yet another cool dude that I have much love for, Riki is the guy that flies out to his beloved University of Georgia Championship games, posts pics of his precious family and slow-mo videos of his golf escapades — all while smiling — a lot. Walking in behind him is his dad, Kirit Patel.
For a guy with a serious resting face, Kirit ends up being my most photographed man of the night with VIP’s like Bill Dowel, Patrick Short and Steve MacKenzie. Little did I know it, but Kirit and his brother Amir are the patriarch hoteliers responsible for seven Savannah hotel properties with many other locations in the Southeast. With an emphasis on sourcing local products and supporting local businesses and charities, the Patels have made one serious impression with this property.
With the lobby teaming with hospitality peeps, I see Old Savannah Tours is in the house! Dressed as Florence Martus the Waving Girl, Emma Wilcox and Emily Gates as Mrs. Wilkes are the perfect pair to do a spirited video for WSAV! After a fun pic of the OST ladies, I can say it’s officially a party because the Savannah Chamber of Commerce ladies have arrived!
Walking with a big pair of red scissors, Tara Reese is still glowing from the success of this year’s Irish Festival while she poses with Brittany Wilson and new lady Delaney Mulcahy. Jumping into their pic is man about town Vernon Donovan. Seemingly everywhere this past year, Vernon called me last week and asked how he could get on the elusive VIP list. Thanks for inviting him, Leonard!
Next up, Georgia Tech beauty and personal fave, Jasmine Miller poses on my big white Gladiator as the Step One Auto local celebrity before smiling with The Blood Connection’s Seth DeSilva and Devin Olson Media’s Isabel Costa. Also posing for a perfect group pic while there is a lull in check-ins is Cambria’s Claudia Whitby, Ebony Coleman, TreAndre Donaldson and Kaitln Howard.
Walking under string lights that remind me of Spanish moss, I cruise past the bar to chat with songstress Laiken Love and the dynamic Eric Jones before their smooth sounds serenade the growing crowd. Giggling when I tell Eric that I have been a fan of his ever changing hairstyles for the past decade, I mosey on over to hug witty Larry Browder and Latina beauty Rosa Gonzalez Phelps.
Arriving next is Riki’s cousin, successful hotelier Kal Patel, SCBLV’s Lois Modell and Leslie Eathterly followed by a Renee Laurie with a big bottle of Cambria wine that she presents to Leonard. Watching the longtime friends hug makes me realize that I have known them for over a decade.
It’s Showtime! Leonard welcomes the crowd and introduces Janise Cannon, the Senior VP of Upscales Brands, before handing the mic over to Riki. A natural speaker, RIki commends the staff, Peachtree Management’s Patrick Short for daily operations and his dad and his uncle for building a legacy that supports locals. After welcoming Mayor Van Johnson, Riki calls up Rebecca to present the check to Lois Modell and the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision.
As someone visually impaired, I understand why Rebecca is so passionate about SCBLV’s mission of providing services for people who live in darkness. After snapping a pic, I glance around the room and see local after local connecting while supporting the Patels in their quest to not just build but to leave a legacy of community involvement. And well done Leonard, I am so proud of you!
