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ASHLEY WHITE Hollywood Comes to Houston Via Brilliant Lecture Series Sir Sidney Poitier, Fiona Cunningham Scott Brogan W hen Sir Sidney Poitier, one of the most important and pioneering Americans of the 20th century, came to town as a headliner for the Brilliant Lecture Series, he was welcomed with an intimate VIP reception and dinner at the Hotel Granduca. Chairman Lynn Wyatt hosted the evening, which was organized by Brilliant Lectures' founder, Scott Brogan. The next day, Poitier — the first African American to win an Oscar for Best Actor, as well as an active diplomat and recipient of a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 — enthralled an audience of 1,200 at Houston Baptist University. Star gazing: Janet Blocker, Wade Wilson, Donna and Robert Bruni, Carol and Michael Linn, Cynthia and Anthony Petrello, and Brilliant's development director, Fiona Cunningham. Dana Barnes Lora & John Clemmons Martin & Kelli Cohen Fein Chairman Lynn Wyatt Leigh Smith Dee Dawson