Welcome to Room to Grow’s 2026 Annual Gala: Meeting Today, Making Tomorrow. Tonight, we gather to celebrate what’s possible when families have the support, resources, and opportunities they need from the start. Thank you for being part of a community committed to helping families thrive.
Tonight’s Speakers | Special Performance | Champions of Change | Gala Leadership | Gala Sponsors | Gala Supporters | Silent Auction | Live Auction
Tonight’s Speakers
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Aminah Imani is a stand-up comedian, host, and actress from Atlanta, GA, who lives and performs regularly in New York City. She can be seen in Peacock's live stand up comedy special New York After Dark, Paramount’s Season 5 of Inside Amy Schumer, and more. She has had the pleasure of featuring for top headliners such as Matteo Lane, Roy Wood Jr., and Chelsea Handler. Read full bio >
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Akilah joined the Room to Grow team in 2015 and has held several roles in the areas of program operations, external relations, and evaluation, before being appointed Executive Director of Room to Grow New York in June 2018 and Chief Executive Officer in 2020. Read full bio >
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Oscarina Pichardo, a first-generation Latina college student, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She earned a master's degree in social work from York College/CUNY and has dedicated over a decade to serving others. Read full bio >
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Estrella is a 2026 graduate of Room to Grow, alongside her partner Daniel and daughter Madeline.
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Ashley Graham is an American supermodel, designer, author, and entrepreneur whose influence has reshaped the fashion and media industries and redefined traditional beauty standards. Read full bio >
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Amanda Hindlian is a seasoned financial services executive. She most recently served as President of Fixed Income and Data Services at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), where she was a member of the firm’s Management Committee. Read full bio >
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SJeanne started volunteering for Room to Grow in 2023 and ran the NYC Marathon for Room to Grow in 2024. Jeanne has over 20 years of experience in childhood education. She has taught at various schools throughout New York City and spent several years in preschool admissions. She graduated from Cornell University in 1999 with a B.S. in Human Development. Read full bio >
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Nancy Twine was introduced to Room to Grow in fall 2021 and joined the National Board in December 2021. Nancy is the founder of Briogeo, a globally recognized prestige personal care company and the fastest growing hair care product line at Sephora and Ulta, globally. Read full bio >
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Lauren joined Room to Grow in 2016 and has held several roles across the organization before stepping in as the Boston Director in 2024. Throughout her tenure, Lauren has been a driver of our fundraising success in Boston, led key organization-wide projects to support the team and enhance Room to Grow's operational infrastructure, and served as a strategic advisor to the CEO. Read full bio >
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Veridiana is a New York-based licensed esthetician, freelance makeup artist, and proud Room to Grow alumna. A lifelong New Yorker currently living in the South Bronx, Veridiana balances a busy creative career in beauty and media production with her most cherished role: building a vibrant, family-centered life with her husband, Joseph, and their two sons, Cruz and Oliver. As a former Room to Grow participant, Veridiana is deeply honored to give back to the community that supported her early journey, bringing her full circle as a voice for the organization's enduring impact on families.
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Caroline Ervin Robinson is a jewelry specialist, gemologist, auctioneer, and media personality. She has over 15 years of experience in auctioneering and auction management across multiple disciplines.
Caroline received her bachelor’s degree in Art History from Colorado College in 2007 and a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America in Manhattan in 2017. Caroline is currently the Talent Development and Acquisition Lead at Bonhams auction house, as well as an on-air guest expert for home shopping network QVC.
With Special Performance By
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Affectionately known as Downtown’s Sweetheart, Va$htie is a multifaceted New York-based director, designer, and DJ. She has cultivated the Downtown New York City scene as a style icon, but her curatorial outreach and influence span worldwide. Even Drake gave her a shoutout in his Migos feature for the 2018 song, Walk It Talk It. Va$htie seamlessly moves among fashion, film, and music, emerging as “A Role Model for Young Tastemakers,” as profiled by The New York Times in their Style section. Read full bio >
JoJo
Pop Icon, Broadway Star, New York Times Bestselling Author
JoJo is one of the most accomplished and respected vocalists at the intersection of pop and R&B, celebrated for her powerhouse voice and remarkable longevity. Breaking through as a teenager, she made history with chart-topping hits like “Leave (Get Out),” “Too Little Too Late,” “Baby It’s You,” and “Disaster,” becoming the youngest solo artist ever to reach #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart.
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Over the course of her career, JoJo has earned multi-platinum sales, billions of global streams, and critical acclaim, while influencing the next generation of singers with her unmistakable voice and fearless artistry. As an independent artist, she has continued to evolve creatively, starting her own label, Clover Music, and paving the way for others to re-record their albums and own those masters. She has collaborated with an eclectic range of artists across genres, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile vocalists and writers.
A true multi-hyphenate, JoJo is also a New York Times bestselling author, having shared her (unlikely and imperfect) road to success on her own terms with remarkable candor in her memoir Over the Influence. She acted in cult-classic movies, "Aquamarine" and "RV". And recently, her lifelong dream come true as she expanded her acting into Broadway. She starred as Satine in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and the originated the leading role of Tess McGill in the world-premiere musical adaptation of Working Girl, featuring an original score by Cyndi Lauper.
Currently, she is working on her first full-length album in six years, ushering in a new chapter that reflects both her artistic evolution and enduring commitment to growth. She has been enjoying using her social media platform to share what she knows about the music industry and to hopefully serve the next generation on their own journey.
Champions of Change Honorees
Deborah Roberts
ABC News, Co-Anchor, 20/20; Senior National Affairs Correspondent
Deborah Roberts is co-anchor of the venerable ABC news magazine "20/20” and an award-winning network correspondent. A media veteran who is celebrating her 30th anniversary at ABC News, Roberts regularly reports across ABC News programs and digital platforms. She hosts a weekly podcast, 20/20 The After Show and serves as a frequent correspondent and substitute anchor for "Good Morning America" and an occasional guest co-host on “The View.”
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Roberts plays a significant role in the network’s coverage of breaking news events. She reported from Vatican City for the death of Pope Francis and the historic election of the first-ever American Pope Leo XIV. She also reported from London, England for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee and death in 2022, the funeral of President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Joe Biden reporting live from Washington, DC.
Roberts wide-ranging newsmaker interviews include former First Lady Michelle Obama; Grammy Award-winning superstars Elton John and Celine Dion; supermodel Brooke Shields, as well as Hollywood superstars Timotheé Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Amy Adams, Colin Farrell, Vanessa Williams, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and the casts of Hulu’s popular streaming programs “Only Murders in the Buildings” and “The Bear.”
Her reporting on “20/20” has taken her across the country investigating true crime stories where she regularly interviews the families of victims, law enforcement officials, and the individuals at the center of national headlines like Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
Her in-depth coverage of current events has earned her a Peabody Award for the "20/20" special "Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor." Additionally, Roberts has been awarded multiple Emmy Awards for international and national coverage of world events, including the AIDS crisis in Africa and maternal mortality in Bangladesh.
Prior to joining ABC News, Roberts was a correspondent at NBC News where she reported for various NBC broadcasts.
She is the author of The New York Times Bestsellers "Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life" and "Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds.” She also co-authored a book with her husband, NBC anchor Al Roker, titled "Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times." The couple have three grown children and reside in New York City.
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Fidelity Investments has generously supported Room to Grow for the last 15 years. The company has sponsored the Annual Gala, hosted collection drives, and made investments of time and money into Room to Grow. Additionally, Room to Grow’s Board of Directors includes two members of the Boston-based Fidelity team, Lionel Harris and Shadman Riaz. With this depth and breadth of support, we are proud to honor Fidelity Investments as our Corporate Champions of Change 2026.
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SBH Health System and Room to Grow share a belief that families thrive when the right support is within reach. Through a two-way referral relationship, our teams connect caregivers to SBH Health System’s nutrition support, breastfeeding resources, and health education, as well as to Room to Grow's guidance, community, and material support. Together, our teams help families more easily find the resources that support their health, well-being, and children's development. We're grateful for SBH Health System’s commitment to families during such an important chapter.
Thank You to Our Gala Leadership
GALA CO-CHAIRS
Ashley Graham
Amanda Hindlian
Jeanne McEnerney
Nancy Twine
COMMITTEE
Olivia Abramowitz • Aditi Ahooja • Iveta Bhayani • Rachel Bond • Hadley Gallagher • Beatrice Huston • Beth Lancaster-Anderson • Caitlin Levine • Jessica Lobosco • Frank Mason • Namrata Nagraj • Aimee Ogbonna • Greg Petsche • Hadassah Richardson • Leane Romeo • Abyah Wynn • Alex Yudkoff
Thank you to Our Sponsors
VISIONARY
Raymond Barzana & Amanda Hindlian
CHAMPION
Ken Blazejewski & Jeanne McEnerney • Brent & Nicole Ferrin • Steven Glenn & Nancy Twine
LEADER
Rachel & Jason Bond • Ashley Graham • Lionel & Irene Harris • Maggie & Amor Towles
ADVOCATE
Jeffrey Bailin & Alexandra Yudkoff • James & Camille Brennan • Emi & Richard Chalker • Alexander & Caitlin Levine • Thomas Luciano & Timothy Goebel • Shadman & Faiza Riaz
PARTNER
Casa Primary • Warburg Pincus • Jennifer & Robert Dowd • Frank & Kimanee Mason • Donville & Rashaan Reid
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
Room to Grow has received permission to use logos included in this program.
Thank You to Our Supporters
Alec Cohen • ALICE + OLIVIA • Alysesther, Camilo, & Jonathan • Aminah Imani • Ariel Markowitz • Brianna & Elohim • Challenger Events • Clos Dubreuil • DUNE Suncare • Cocoon • Deborah Roberts • Deep Purple Flowers • Do You Like Comedy LLC dba New York Comedy Club Elegant Chauffeurs • Eli’s Table • Eli Zabar • Ellerie Burst • Emmy Squared • Estrella, Daniel, & Madeline • Fanatics Foundation ™ • Fidelity Investments • Fran Sienicki • Full Picture • Gabriel Suazo • Gavin Snider • Grace & Company • Gerry Capahi • Harout Barsoumia • Imagine Swimming • Jack Frederick • Jamie Van Valkenburg • JGreenstone • J. Mackey Gallery • JoJo • Krissy • Kristen Faely • Laura Frattaroli • Leane Romeo • Live Capture Co. • Lucci • Major League Soccer • Marissa Hutchingson • Melissa Aquiles • Mike Kutchman • Monica + Andy • Nandy Del Castillo • Nathali & Rafael David • NBC Studios • Oscarina & Andrea • Overland Entertainment • Peter Tunney • Preakness Hills • Quality Print Solutions • Room to Grow Team • Ryan Lewendon • Sayeda, Excier, Ella, & Erham • SBH Health System • Stephanie Gottlieb • Susan Alexandra • Tao Group Hospitality • The Little Tribeca • Tiffany Locke_Hair • Treat House • Va$htie • Venus et Fleur • Veridiana, Cruz, & Oliver • Ziegfeld Ballroom
Silent Auction
FEATURED LOTS
Golf Foursome at Preakness Hills
Mahjong 101: Private Lesson + Set
A Night at Sphere Las Vegas
The Silent Auction will close at 12:00 PM (noon) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
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Room to Grow (its officers, employees, contractors, volunteers, and committee members) does not assume any risk or responsibility for the authenticity, quality, or value of items. Moreover, Room to Grow, including anyone who assists in the conduction of the auction, assumes no liability for any loss or damage caused by any person traveling or vacationing on any of the offered trips, nor any occurrence resulting from the use of the auctioned items and/or services sold. Estimates of retail values and descriptions of items have been made based on information provided by donors and deemed reliable. All items are sold “as is” subject to the conditions and restrictions stipulated by the donors. All auction items and services must be used within the time limits specified in the descriptions and are subject to the terms and conditions stipulated by the donors. All items are subject to scheduling and other restrictions and expire on October 20, 2027, unless otherwise indicated; dates and times are to be arranged at the mutual convenience of the donor and buyer.
Please note buyers may not request refunds or exchanges from any donor or Room to Grow. Room to Grow reserves the right to withdraw any item at any time before the actual sale. Before items are released to the winning bidder, items must be fully paid. Items may be picked up from the South Bronx Family Center or shipped to you directly. A representative from Room to Grow will reach out to make arrangements for receiving your item(s). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, which is over and above the item's market value.Silent Auction
The Silent Auction will close at 12:00 PM (noon) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. You will be notified via phone/email from GiveSmart if you have successfully won your item. Once you have paid for your items, Room to Grow staff will contact you to coordinate pick up. Please plan to redeem your item(s) within 6 months, or items will be forfeited to Room to Grow. Please note that items cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
Live Auction
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Fanatics Fest
Four (4) VIP Passes to Fanatics Fest NYC
Daily roundtrip private car service between the winner’s home and Javits Center in NYC
Four (4) jerseys from a favorite team or athletes
$200 credit toward athlete photo and autograph experiences
VIP lanes access to photo and autograph experiences
Early access to The Theatre
Car available to addresses within the Tri-State and Philadelphia metro area. Non-transferable. Event details subject to change. 2027 Fanatics Fest dates to be announced
MLS Tickets
Four (4) tickets to a NY Red Bulls or NYC FC home game during 2027 spring season
Premium tickets not included. Ticket offer dependent on availability. Must reserve tickets a minimum 2 weeks prior to the game
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Trip for two (2)
5-night stay at the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior (or similar) on Lake Como in a Classic room
Choice of:
Guided Lake Como Walking Tour
OR
Food & Art Tour of Como
Private romantic evening cruise with Prosecco
Winspire booking & concierge service
Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of travel. Non-refundable. Does not include transportation.
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Admission to the 2027 Augusta Round 3 on Saturday (April 10, 2027)
2-night weekend stay (Friday, April 9, 2027 – Sunday, April 11, 2027) in a 2-bedroom, 2-bath private home or condo in or near Augusta
Souvenir Ticket Lanyard
Winspire booking & concierge service
Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of travel. Non-refundable. Does not include transportation.
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Three (3) nights at Maison Dubreil
Six (6) bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, sleeps 12
Fully staffed
Breakfast included
Heated pool, gym, bar, and more
1-year Wine Club membership
Two (2) shipments of 12 bottles each (6 red, 6 white)
Dates subject to availability. Party size is limited to 12. Expires October 20, 2027.
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5-night Classic Safari for two in a brand-new luxury Impala Tent at Hippo Lakes
Round-trip transfers from Johannesburg to Hippo Lakes
Daily game drives with a professional ranger, plus a Big Game Drive into a neighboring Big Five reserve
All meals, plus two house drinks per guest per day
Bush Braai dinner under the stars
Winspire booking service and a personal Hippo Lakes concierge
Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of travel. Non-refundable. Does not include transportation.
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With Ashley Graham, Uma Thurman, Akilah King, and two friends
Private shopping experience and $1000 gift card from ALICE + OLIVIA for winner
Hair by Tiffany Locke & Make-Up by Veridiana Montas
Dinner & drinks & dancing at ZZ’s, Zero Bond, and Sartiano
Transportation by Elegant Chauffeurs
Date to be mutually agreed upon.
