PROJECT BLACKBIRD Mental Health Gala, Washington D.C. | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | Tickets Available >
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Project Blackbird Gala

  • Saturday, May 15, 2027 | 5:30 – 10:00 PM
  • International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C.
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The 2027 Project Blackbird Annual Gala

Saturday, May 15, 2027 · International Spy Museum · 5:30 to 10:00 PM

An unforgettable evening dedicated to youth mental health, bringing together philanthropic leaders, athletes, advocates, and community members to celebrate joy, and to ensure that young people can find joy again when it may feel out of reach.

Tickets are available now. For tables or sponsorship opportunities, contact partnerships@projectblackbirdinc.org.

— Project Blackbird Gala 2027

An Evening of Storytelling, Connection & Celebration

Join us for a black-tie evening at the International Spy Museum celebrating the young people at the heart of Project Blackbird. A night of stories, community, and hope, with every ticket and table funding free therapy access and mental health programming for youth.

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— An Evening of Inspiration

Special Guests

Rodney Lusk

Special Guest

Rodney Lusk

Fairfax County Supervisor, Franconia District

Wanika B. Fisher

Special Guest

Wanika B. Fisher, Esq.

Prince George's County Council, District 2

Phylicia Porter

Special Guest

Phylicia Porter

Baltimore City Councilwoman, District 10

— What to Expect

The Evening Will Feature

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Dinner & Drinks

A seated dinner and cocktail reception at the International Spy Museum.

🎤

Live Entertainment

Music and moments that bring the room together.

👑

Live & Silent Auction

Bid on one-of-a-kind experiences, all supporting youth mental health.

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Lived-Experience Stories

The storytelling at the heart of everything we do.

— Schedule · All Times ET

The Evening

5:30 PM
Doors Open & Cocktail Reception
7:00 PM
Dinner & Program
10:00 PM
Celebration & Close

— Dress Code

Black Tie

Bring your best for a glamorous evening at the Spy Museum. Black-tie and formal attire encouraged.

— With Gratitude

Gala Supporters

With gratitude to the partners making our 2027 gala possible.

Leigh Steinberg Foundation

Parking Sponsor

Waymo

Community Supporters

gorjanaChacho SpiritsCapitol Hill ClothiersCapitol Hill PhotoLINK Strategic Partners

— Join Us May 15, 2027

Ready to shed the shame with us?

Every seat at the table helps a young person get the support they deserve. We would love to have you in the room.

Buy TicketsBecome a Sponsor

Questions? alexandra@projectblackbirdinc.org

A Look Back: The 2026 Evening

5:30 – 7:00 PM

Cocktail Reception. Enjoy curated cocktails, community connection, and immersive wellness activations including:

  • VIP Gifting Suite
  • Glowbar wellness activation
  • Puppy play for mental health
  • Silent auction preview

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Plated Seated Dinner & Program. A dynamic program featuring:

  • Remarks and lived-experience storytelling from Jerome Williams, former NBA All-Star and mental-health advocate
  • Recognition of our Presenting Partner, BigHeart Philanthropy
  • A word of recognition and support from the Department of Education
  • Special Honorees (to be announced)
  • Live auction benefiting youth mental-health access nationwide
  • Special musical performance by Krystofer Maison
  • Seated/Plated Dinner reception
  • Speeches and fireside chat with our Celebrity/Athlete ambassadors

Special Guests and Speakers Including...

Leigh Steinberg

American sports agent and philanthropist

Golden Wings Award Honoree 2026 A legendary sports agent, philanthropist, and author—widely known as the real-life inspiration behind the film Jerry Maguire. Over a 50-year career, he has represented more than 300 professional athletes and negotiated over $3 billion in contracts, including a record eight No. 1 NFL draft picks. Beyond sports, Steinberg is a leading advocate for mental health and athlete well-being. Through his foundation and national advocacy work, he has been at the forefront of raising awareness around brain health, addiction recovery, and the long-term impact of concussions—using his platform to reduce stigma and expand access to care. We were honored to celebrate Leigh with the Golden Wings Award at our 2026 gala.

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Jerome Williams

Former NBA
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Phylicia Porter

Council Member
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Chad Cordero

Former MLB, Washington Nationals
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Malcolm Graham

District 2 Representative
Donate
Watch the 2026 Gala Video
View the 2026 Photo Gallery
Learn about Our Tour

What Your Ticket Supports

Proceeds from the PROJECT BLACKBIRD Gala directly fund:

  • In-person mental-health programs for K–12 schools, colleges, and communities
  • Film screenings and moderated panels centered on lived experience
  • Anonymous journaling and reflection tools for students
  • On-site mental-health resource fairs
  • A covered year of therapy for participating students
  • The expansion of our multi-year HBCU mental-health initiative

When you attend, sponsor, or donate, you are helping ensure that awareness is paired with immediate access to care — and that no student is left without support.

This is more than a gala. It is a movement toward joy, healing, and equitable access to mental-health care. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of impact, inspiration, and community.

thank you to our sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Table Sponsors

Marc J. Leder Foundation

Additional Program Sponsors

Glowbar Logo
Peale Foundation

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Your sponsorship will directly fund PROJECT BLACKBIRD’s initiatives, empowering us to continue fostering dialogue, providing free therapy and other resources, and driving meaningful change nationwide. Together, we can dismantle barriers and uplift voices that deserve to be heard.

For more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact partnerships@projectblackbirdinc.org.

Become a Sponsor

Advertise at the gala!

Show your support for youth mental health while promoting your business! Purchase an ad in the Project Blackbird Benefit Gala program book and gain exposure to an audience of corporate leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists—all while helping fund free therapy for students in need.

inquire about Ad sponsorship

2026 Gala Committee

Maggie Peale
Jessica Hirsch
Marcia Lopez
Maria Luisa Ramirez
Todd Flournoy
Nicole Roberson
Amanda Koplin
Kara Pate
Ryan Walton
Jason Robert
Moorea Friedman
Chase Gallion
Eno Akpan
Melissa Martinez
Paula Edwards-Gayfield
Gledis Vogli
Danielle Johnson
Nicole F. Roberts
Nicole Roberson
Melissa Mather

honorary committee chairs and notable attendees

Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-6)
Megan Hunt- Nebraska
Council Member: Phylicia Porter

Inaugural Photo Gallery 2025