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After earning a master's degree in urban planning from Columbia University, Eric Blair-Joannou worked as a graduate intern at New York State Department of Transportation. Since 2016, he has served as president of the full-service real estate management firm Biscayne Bay Company. In addition to his professional pursuits, Eric Blair-Joannou is involved with several nonprofits in New York, including the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
Showtime TV hosts Daniel Baker and Joel Martinez, more commonly known as Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, respectively, were honored at the Bronx Museum's Annual Visionary Duos Gala fundraiser on March 2, 2020, at Capitale in the Bowery. The hometown pair received the Visionary Award, and, in their address to the crowd, spoke about the importance of the award and how much it means to them. Baker recalled a grade three field trip in which he was shocked that the Bronx had museums, while Martinez noted that being recognized by people in his home borough is more special than an Oscar or Emmy.
Other awards presented at the gala include the Vanguard and Trailblazer Awards, which were given to the father-son duo of US congressman Jose E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano and architect Jon Lott and sculptor Diana Al-Hadid, respectively. Auction items for the fundraiser included a pair of tickets to Saturday Night Live, a ticket to the Billboard Awards, and a rare Christian Dior bag. All money donated helps the museum continue to offer free public programs.
