But the true stars of the evening were the courageous children like thirteen-year-old Mason, who graced the stage with a soul-stirring saxophone performance. With gratitude, he thanked his dedicated care team at Children’s National, whose unwavering support has been his beacon of strength through every step of his journey.

The highlight of the evening was the opportunity to support the Central Park Conservancy's vital mission of preserving and enhancing this beloved green oasis for generations to come. Through live auctions, pledges, and generous donations, guests rallied together to raise $1.4 million, ensuring that Central Park remains a sanctuary of tranquility and beauty amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.

At the core of Exhale to Inhale's mission is the belief that healing is not only possible but inherent within each of us. Through trauma-informed yoga, the organization empowers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to reclaim their strength, their sense of safety, and their connection to themselves.

The Jay Fund, born from Coach Coughlin's vow to honor Jay McGillis, a courageous young man who battled leukemia, has grown into a lifeline for families facing the physical, emotional, and financial strains of childhood cancer.

The KF Foundation Dinner honored Jan Karski, a Polish soldier, WWII resistance-fighter, and diplomat who witnessed atrocities Jews faced at the hands of Nazis, and was tortured himself; Karski ultimately prevailed in risking his life to in attempt to save others by sharing his truths all the way to President Roosevelt himself. The KF Foundation paid tribute to Karski’s sacrifices, and showed how relevant, valid and timely his actions are for us today.

“When I chose chemical engineering at MIT, my friends didn’t get it, but I always loved chemical engineering. It opens doors. It alllows you to manipulate matter; to build something that hadn’t been imagined before - and the things you can make can be huge and expansive, like an entire chemical plant. Or they can be incredibly tiny, like the nanoparticles that we make in our lab, to address cancer. But most importantly, they can be amazingly impactful on some of the world’s biggest problems. ” - Dr. Paula Hammond, Professor and Head of Chemical Engineering at MIT

The gala depicted the power music can have on children, and it was inspiring how Lang Lang, a world-renowned pianist himself, has dedicated himself to enabling children all over the world to experience the beauty and power of music with the Lang Lang Foundation.

“When I joined IBM, my goal was to invent scientific breakthroughs and become an influential technical executive. I am grateful to stand here in front of you and confirm I did achieve those goals. But more importantly, I believe I have opened doors to others around the world who want to be leaders in science and technology.” - Dr. Solomon Assefa who moved to the US from Ethiopia as a 17 year old by himself, received his Bachelors in Physics, Masters in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and PhD in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT. Currently a VP at IBM, he’s co-authored over 150 publications and has over 70 patents granted.

The ITHF 2022 Legends Ball was held at Cipriani on Saturday, September 10. At the event, I sat next to a donor who shared how ITHF transformed his life; a visit to the ITHF museum as a child taught him life lessons that led him to achieve extraordinary success as a businessman and inventor. While he loves tennis as a sport, what he appreciates most about ITHF is the impact it has on educating youth and empowering them through tennis.

On August 27, 2022, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTP) hosted their 8th Annual JMTP Pro Am in the Hamptons - the biggest one-day Pro Am event in the world. During the event I met Christasha McNeil, a junior in high school and JMTP scholarship recipient. She was one of many young people to perform during the event (it was mesmerizing to watch her incredible skill and passion) - and she discussed how JMTP has helped her pursue her dreams.

At the Prep for Prep Lilac Ball, Jasmine discusses how she overcame the trauma of a burning accident and social ostracism by joining the debate team as a shy sophomore, ultimately becoming one of the top debaters in the country and Top 5 in the state. She credits Prep for Prep.

Anita rebelled against the misogynistic men in her family who felt a woman’s role was in the home; she focused on her studies and scored in the top 1% of SAT test takers in the country. She was then accepted into her dream college, Harvard. She explains, “Without Girls Inc., none of this would be possible.”

Figure Skating in Harlem is the only organization globally for girls of color that combines education with access to figure skating to teach artistic discipline and a championship mindset.

Eddie shared many stories, all of which depicted his deep care for Daniel in many ways - from taking him shopping to guiding him on how to build his character and shape his life, to the point that Daniel one day told him, “You’re the dad I wish I had.”

I can only imagine the fundamental ways in which young people’s lives have been changed through Jazz at Lincoln Center. I certainly benefited from the performances of those who have dedicated themselves to mastering the highest level of their artistry; the event was inspiring, uplifting, and moving.