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
DreamersTerence Carter with Dreamers Jazmyn and Taylor and Aimee Garcia
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)
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 and Aeron
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
Dreamer
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 FineWilmer Valderrama with Principal April Ramos of Sunrise Elementary, third grade Dreamers from Boyle Heights Program 19, and IHADLA CEO Debra FineIHADLA Dreamers with Fox EVP Terence Carter and Empire stars Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers, and Grace GealeyMelissa Peterman with Dreamers
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. Left to right: Chris Wallace, Corinna Fields, Donna Livingston, Joan Kardashian, LL Cool J, September Sarno, Nancy Gregory, Joy JoliseSeptember Sarno, chair of the SHARE, Inc. board, accepting the Dream Keeper Award from IHADLA program coordinator and mentor Lupe and her mentee, AshleeJussie Smollett (Empire) introducing Terence CarterJussie Smollett (Empire) introducing honoree Terence Carter
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 awardWilmer Valderrama walking on stage to deliver his emotional IHADLA Dream Keeper award acceptance speechTerence Carter with Wilmer Valderrama at the 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 SmiechewiczGrant Little, chair of the IHADLA board of directors, speakingDaryll Frank, IHADLA board member, with his wife, VanessaLaurie Zaks with IHADLA Staff Development Manager Emily Knight. Laurie Zaks chaired the Dreamer Dinner CommitteeIHADLA program manager with Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) and IHADLA CEO Debra FineIHADLA Program Coordinator Chaznae Walker at reception
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.
Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) standing to offer new auction prizeJaina Lee Ortiz talking about what eating lunch with Morris Chestnut is like – following his offering a lunch for auctionMorris Chestnut and his wife reacting to Jaina Lee OrtizTerence Carter hugging Roberto Orsi after Roberto won the Lakers Kobe Bryant auction
Enthusiastic bidding during our auction
A Few More Photos
Interior Designer Donna Livingston (SHARE, Inc.) bidding on a silent auction itemActor Gia Bay (Share, Inc.) browsing the silent auctionTerence Carter with his Empire stars Jussie Smollett, Aimee Garcia, Trai Byers, and Grace GaeleyEffie Brown (Project Greenlight) recently joined Lee Daniels EntertainmentFBI 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 OfficeSHARE 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 from NCISFox EVP Terence Carter with girlfriend Ana Kharisova, opera singer Lauren Criddle, and Jussie Smollett (Empire)
