Welcome to the PROJECT BLACKBIRD 2026 Annual Gala!
PROJECT BLACKBIRD 2026 GALA An Evening Celebrating Joy & Expanding Access to Youth Mental Health Care
Join us in person for an unforgettable evening dedicated to Youth Mental Health.
This gala brings 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.
Expect inspiring stories, powerful lived-experience conversations, meaningful connection, and an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of students across the country.
Together, we are funding free therapy, mental-health education, and direct support for youth who need it most.
Evening Schedule
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 are thrilled to honor Leigh at our upcoming gala on May 8th!
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
