The TOAST Story

How we started

 

Founded by Niki Charles & Jessica Penzari, TOAST is a brunch and day party that highlights social issues, non-profit organizations, political figures, celebrities, and businesses. The monthly event features breakfast delights and bottomless mimosas.
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TOAST launched October 2011 at Station 4 in SW, DC, celebrating the homecoming of Howard University. Hosted by actor Mo McRae and celebrity blogger The Jasmine Brand, the event attracted Black Hollywood actors including Omar Hardwick and Claudia Jordan. 



After the success of TOAST, the DMV was introduced to a new form of day party that fused food, networking, and creative event concepts into an annual day party. 



Niki Charles

aja inc. Events & Brand Management

 

Over a decade ago, Niki Charles recognized the symbiotic relationship between entertainment and marketing and decided to parlay her skills in event and business development to develop her career focusing on corporate sponsorship, media promotions, and strategic brand growth. With her combined vision of creativity and bottom line impact, she has lead talented teams across the DC area in a variety of full-service marketing campaigns.

Charles has a wide range of experience in the liquor industry, from directing the corporate marketing programs of Anheuser Busch, Heineken, and Pernod Ricard USA, to negotiating endorsement deals for major sports celebrities including former Washington Redskins Gary Clark, John Fitzgerald Booty, Ravin Caldwell, and Clinton Portis. For several years, Charles also directed a variety of local philanthropic marketing campaigns overseeing all fund-raising, media promotions, and corporate sponsorships.  Since then, she has evolved as a leader in the event marketing industry, spearheading the Events DC Launch Party and Washington DC Mayor Vincent Grey's Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Welcome Reception. Charles has also continued her relationship with leaders in the liquor industry, creating and executing consumer promotions on their behalf at fairs, festivals, sporting events and other large signature events throughout the Washington DC metropolitan region.

With her expertise in the sponsorship and event marketing field, Charles is a frequent resource for new and up-and-coming brands and serves as a mentor for recent graduates looking to start their career in the field. Charles has a rich and proud history of volunteerism and commitment in support of causes promoting health and domestic abuse awareness. Charles is a member of the DC Commission for Women appointed by Mayor Gray and is a board member for the Rockson Development Corporation.



Jessica Penzari

​Wanderlust Public Relations

 

Jessica Mercedes Penzari has a background in marketing, publicity and event planning in Washington D.C., New York City and Los Angeles. Currently the New York Market Manager for AT&T at Fizz, Jessica's agency experience includes work with Mountain Dew, The Miss California Pageant, Universal Pictures, Interscope Records, Allstate, Boyle Heights Tech Youth Center, Blackbook Magazine, VIBE Magazine, Danity Kane, and more. She has extensive experience in public relations working with clients in fashion, consumer products, sports, talent, and non profit. Her attention to detail, passion and diligence creates the perfect combination for a successful and strategic execution.