Dreamer Dinner Success Thank You!

We Are So Grateful for a Successful Event!

The mood of the evening was spirited, and auction bids were generous. Thank you to everyone who helped us raise more than $350,000 in charitable contributions for our 2016 Dreamer Dinner with your ticket purchases, table sponsorships, auction donations, and congratulatory messages.

Our next Dreamer Dinner will be March 5, 2017. We hope to see you then!

Special thanks to our sponsors (in alphabetical order):
JJ Abrams
Amblin Films
Bank of America
Berkshire Hathaway
CBRE
Nancy Cotton
Lee Daniels
Disney/ABC Family
Del Shaw Moonvies Tanaka Finkelstein and Lezcano
Debra Fine
Fox
Darryl and Vanessa Frank/Frank Family Wines
Gendler and Keller
Kelly Goode
David Kim
Jeff Maher
Mandeville
Katie McGrath Foundation
Merril Lynch
Michelman and Robinson
NBC Entertainment
O’Melveny and Myers
Paramount Studio
Preferred Bank
Sony Pictures Television
Stephen Taylor
Temple Hill
Venable
Warner Brothers
Tom Wertheimer
WME
Richard Wolf
YPO
Laurie Zaks

The Room Was Filled with Celebrities but the IHADLA Dreamers Were the Stars of the Show

I Have a Dream Foundation Los Angeles Dreamers Girls at Dreamer Dinner
Dreamers
Terence Carter with Dreamers Jazmyn and Taylor; and Aimee Garcia IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Terence Carter with Dreamers Jazmyn and Taylor and Aimee Garcia

Jazmyn speaking at IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Jazmyn speaking at Dreamer Dinner


“This program has supported me and basically helped raise me. With IHADLA as my backbone and my support, I am certain that I will not fail. No, it’s not going to be easy, but being happy and successful in every aspect of my life is my targeted accomplishment. I finally have an answer to the question that we were asked millions of times when we younger. When I grow up, I would love to be the best at what I do and to have nothing but utter happiness and positivity surrounding me. My name is Jazmyn Davis, and this is my dream.”

Dreamers including Jazmyn and Taylor with honoree Terence Carter, his girlfriend Ana Kharisova and Aimee Garcia (Empire) IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Dreamers, including Jazmyn and Taylor, with honoree Terence Carter, his girlfriend Ana Kharisova, and Aimee Garcia (Empire)

Lupe Mentor and Ashlee Mentee I Have a Dream Foundation Los Angeles Dreamer Dinner
Lupe shares her story about being Ashley’s mentor, with Ashley onstage


“As a program coordinator I have seen firsthand the benefits dreamers have received from having a mentor. Many of our students need that positive role model in their life, along with the added benefit of being able to participate in activities they would not ordinarily be able to engage in such as camping and attending major league sporting events. It is truly gratifying to be able to see the relationships that are being built with the dreamers and their mentors. The only down side to this equation is that there are not enough mentors to match with every dreamer in the program. I encourage all of you that are able to become a mentor to a dreamer.” ~ Lupe

LL Cool J selfie with Taylor IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
LL Cool J selfie with Taylor and Aeron

LL Cool J wife Simone Smith and Dreamer kids. Aaron Fields is at far right. IHADLA Dreamer Dinner.
LL Cool J, wife Simone Smith, and Dreamers. Aaron Fields is at far right


“Recently, IHADLA provided both my sister and I with mentors who both work for the FBI, and they’re amazing.” ~ Aaron

student Dreamer at I Have a Dream Foundation Dreamer Dinner
Dreamer

Dreamer Dessery shares her story about how IHADLA has given her emotional support. Her brother helps.
Dreamer Dessery shares her story about how IHADLA has given her emotional support. Her brother helps


“They (‘I Have a Dream’ Foundation – Los Angeles) support you and never let you down.” ~ Dessery

Jason Collins with Dreamers and IHADLA CEO Debra Fine Dreamer Dinner
Jason Collins with Dreamers and IHADLA CEO Debra Fine
Wilmer Valderrama with Principal April Ramos of Sunrise Elementary, third grade Dreamers from Boyle Heights Program 19 and IHADLA CEO Debra Fine
Wilmer Valderrama with Principal April Ramos of Sunrise Elementary, third grade Dreamers from Boyle Heights Program 19, and IHADLA CEO Debra Fine
IHADLA Dreamers with Terence Carter, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Dreamer Dinner
IHADLA Dreamers with Fox EVP Terence Carter and Empire stars Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers, and Grace Gealey
Melissa Peterman with IHADLA Dreamers
Melissa Peterman with Dreamers

DiLee Maher with Dreamers Tiffany and Renee IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
DiLee Maher with Dreamers Tiffany and Renee


Boyle Heights Third Graders IHADLA Program 19 Introducing Grant Little, Chairman of the Board

Our IHADLA Dream Keeper Award Honorees

Heartfelt introductions and acceptance speeches won appreciation from the audience.

Share Board Members with LL Cool J - photo thanks to Joy Jolise IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Share board members with LL Cool J – photo thanks to Joy Jolise. Left to right: Chris Wallace, Corinna Fields, Donna Livingston, Joan Kardashian, LL Cool J, September Sarno, Nancy Gregory, Joy Jolise
September Sarno, chair of SHARE Inc. board accepting the Dream Keeper Award from IHADLA program coordinator and mentor Lupe and her mentee Ashlee
September Sarno, chair of the SHARE, Inc. board, accepting the Dream Keeper Award from IHADLA program coordinator and mentor Lupe and her mentee, Ashlee
Jussie Smollett (Empire) introducing Terence Carter
Jussie Smollett (Empire) introducing Terence Carter
Jussie Smollett  (Empire) introducing honoree Terence Carter IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Jussie Smollett (Empire) introducing honoree Terence Carter

Terence Carter Dream Keeper award acceptance speech IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Terence Carter, a Dream Keeper, honors his great great grandmother Jenny Adams Carter during his Dream Keeper award acceptance speech


“Jenny was a school teacher… her parents instilled in Jenny that education was a prized possession” ~ Terence Carter

Wilmer Valderrama hugging Rosario Dawson after her introduction for his award IHADLA Dreamer DInner
Wilmer Valderrama hugging Rosario Dawson after her introduction for his award
Wilmer Valderrama walking on stage to deliver his IHADLA Dream Keeper honoree acceptance speech Dreamer Dinner
Wilmer Valderrama walking on stage to deliver his emotional IHADLA Dream Keeper award acceptance speech
Terence Carter with Wilmer Valderrama
Terence Carter with Wilmer Valderrama at the IHADLA Dreamer Dinner

September Sarno, Chair of the SHARE, inc. board of directors. IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
September Sarno, chair of the SHARE, Inc. board of directors.

We Caught a Few Photos of IHADLA Board Members and Staff

Jeff Maher and wife DiLee Maher with Walter Smiechewicz IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Jeff Maher and wife DiLee Maher with Walter Smiechewicz
Grant Little, chair of the IHADLA board of directors, speaking Dreamer Dinner
Grant Little, chair of the IHADLA board of directors, speaking
Daryll Frank IHADLA board member with his wife, Vanessa at Dreamer Dinner
Daryll Frank, IHADLA board member, with his wife, Vanessa
Laurie Zaks with IHADLA staff Development Manager, Emily Knight
Laurie Zaks with IHADLA Staff Development Manager Emily Knight. Laurie Zaks chaired the Dreamer Dinner Committee
IHADLA Program Manager with Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) and IHADLA CEO, Debra Fine
IHADLA program manager with Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) and IHADLA CEO Debra Fine
IHADLA Program Coordinator Chaznae Walker at reception
IHADLA Program Coordinator Chaznae Walker at reception

Kylia Lewis, Program Assistant Program 18, Watts IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Kylia Lewis, program assistant for Program 18, Watts

The Auction was Enthusiastic and Entertaining

Morris Chestnut was inspired to offer a new auction item, a luncheon with himself which sold for $5,000. Melissa Peterman added to the jubilant mood. Charitable contributions flowed along with the delicious Frank Family wine.

Charitable Contributions Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) standing to offer new auction prize. IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) standing to offer new auction prize
Jaina Lee Ortiz talking about what eating lunch with Morris Chestnut is like - following his offering a lunch for IHADLA Dreamer Dinner auction
Jaina Lee Ortiz talking about what eating lunch with Morris Chestnut is like – following his offering a lunch for auction
Morris Chestnut and his wife reacting to Jaina Lee  Ortiz
Morris Chestnut and his wife reacting to Jaina Lee Ortiz
Charitable Contributions Terence Carter hugging Roberto Orsi after Roberto won the Lakers Kobe Bryant IHADLA Dreamer Dinner auction.
Terence Carter hugging Roberto Orsi after Roberto won the Lakers Kobe Bryant auction

Charitable Contributions Enthusiastic bidding during IHADLA Dreamer Dinner auction
Enthusiastic bidding during our auction

A Few More Photos

Interior Designer Donna bidding on an IHADLA Dreamer Dinner silent auction
Interior Designer Donna Livingston (SHARE, Inc.) bidding on a silent auction item
Actor Gia Bay (Share Inc) browsing the IHADLA Dreamer Dinner silent auction
Actor Gia Bay (Share, Inc.) browsing the silent auction
Terence Carter with his Empire stars Jussie Smollett, Aimee Garcia, Trai Byers and Grace Gaeley
Terence Carter with his Empire stars Jussie Smollett, Aimee Garcia, Trai Byers, and Grace Gaeley
Effie Brown (Project Greenlight) recently joined Lee Daniels Entertainment.
Effie Brown (Project Greenlight) recently joined Lee Daniels Entertainment
FBI IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
FBI supports “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles. Kendrick D. Williams, special agent in charge of the Intelligence Division of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office
Share Inc Group IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
SHARE Inc; left to right: Corinna Fields (treasurer), Joy Jolise (secretary), September Sarno (chairman of the board), Gloria Franks (founding member) Joan Kardashian (board member), Diane Forester, Chris Wallace (board member), Donna Livingston, Nancy Gregory (Boomtown choreographer/director)
Barrett Foa NCIS IHADLA Dreamer DInner
Barrett Foa from NCIS
Fox EVP Terence Carter with girlfriend Ana Kharisova, opera singer Lauren Criddle and Jussie Smollett (Empire) IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Fox EVP Terence Carter with girlfriend Ana Kharisova, opera singer Lauren Criddle, and Jussie Smollett (Empire)

Wilmer Valderrama with Effie Brown  (Project Greenlight) IHADLA Dreamer Dinner
Wilmer Valderrama with Effie Brown


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