Project Blackbird Gala
May 8, 2026
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 MLB 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
– Seated/Plated Dinner reception
– Speeches and fireside chat with our Celebrity/Athlete ambassadors
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
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.
Special Guests and Speakers Including...
Phylicia Porter
Jerome Williams
Chad Cordero
Malcolm Graham
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
Councilmember Phylicia Porter
honorary committee chairs and notable attendees
Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-6)
Megan Hunt- Nebraska
You are not alone. #ShedShame
thank you to all who were involved and supported in 2025!
Special Guests and Speakers Included...
Mental Wellness program supported by our partners NAMI, Maybelline, and Talkspace
Supporting
sponsors
The Watergate Hotel, Washington, D.C. | Mental Health Awareness Month
The inaugural Project Blackbird Gala was an incredible success, bringing together community leaders, government representatives, national sponsors, and partners in support of our mission to end the stigma around mental health and expand access to care.
Held on May 2, 2025, at the historic Watergate Hotel during Mental Health Awareness Month, the gala served as both a celebration and a call to action. Together, we raised vital funds that will allow Project Blackbird to expand its reach, continue its storytelling initiatives, and — through our exclusive partnership with Talkspace — provide free therapy for 10,500 students in need.
The evening featured:
Inspiring Performances from acclaimed artists who used their platforms to amplify our message.
Gourmet Desserts by a celebrity chef, creating a memorable shared experience for guests.
Immersive Partner Activations that highlighted creative approaches to mental health awareness.
A powerful moment of solidarity as over 300 attendees — including policy-makers, legislators, and celebrity ambassadors — stood together in support of accessible mental health resources.
More than just a fundraiser, the gala served as a bridge between advocacy, policy, and culture, raising awareness at every level — from students and families to government leaders and national partners.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Project Blackbird is positioned to double our annual impact, reaching over 20,000 people with our message in 2025 and beyond.
This was only the beginning. We look forward to building on this momentum at the 2nd Annual Project Blackbird Gala at Nationals Park Stadium in Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Recap: The Inaugural Project Blackbird Gala – May 2, 2025
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
- Presenting Sponsor – $100,000 (1 available)
- Premier Sponsor – $50,000 (1 of 2 available)
- Benefactor Sponsor – $25,000
- Champion Sponsor – $15,000
- Patron Sponsor – $10,000
- Supporting Sponsor – $5,000
- Event Needs Opportunities also available (e.g., floral décor, valet, VIP reception, etc.)
- Recognition in pre-event marketing and on-site event materials
- Event website logo placement
- Additional opportunities include sponsorship of specific event features and increased visibility based on commitment level.
Project Blackbird Team
&
Gala Committee
Board of Directors and Advisors
- Alexandra Miles, Founder
- Krystofer Maison, Board Advisor
- Newton Howard, Board Advisor
- Amanda Koplin, Board Member
- Brian D. Bankes, Board Member
- Kendra Williams, Partner, Board Member
- Paula Edwards-Gayfield, Moderator, Board Member
- Ryan Walton, Board Member
- Stephanie Buerkel, Board Member
Gala Committee
- Krystofer Maison, Board Advisor, Project Blackbird
- Craig Mason, Co-Founder + CEO, Raise Health
- Gabrielle Katz, Practice Owner, Coastal Collaborative Care LLC
- Sam Peterson, Regional Resource Director, Caron Transformational Care
- Makayla Ruiz, Social Media Manager, Sage Social
- Melissa Martinez, Marketing
- Rona Wang, Marketing
- Kojenwa Moitt, CEO, Zebra Public Relations LLC
- Lauryn Garza, Executive Assistant, Zebra Public Relations LLC
- Tania Kasongo, CEO, Yowa Events
- Melissa Mather, Community Outreach Liaison, Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center