Project Blackbird Gala
- Friday, May 15, 2027 | 5:30 – 10:00 PM
- International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C.
Save the Date: The 2027 PROJECT BLACKBIRD Annual Gala!
Friday, May 15, 2027 | International Spy Museum | 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Mark your calendars: the PROJECT BLACKBIRD Mental Health Gala returns on Friday, May 15, 2027 at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., from 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, honorees, and full details are coming soon. For sponsorship opportunities or early updates, contact partnerships@projectblackbirdinc.org.
Keep scrolling for a look back at our 2026 gala, including the full gala video and photo gallery.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, May 15, 2027
The 2027 PROJECT BLACKBIRD
Annual Gala
International Spy Museum
Washington, D.C.
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.
Jerome Williams
Phylicia Porter
Chad Cordero
Malcolm Graham
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
Additional Program Sponsors
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.
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.
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
