Brooklyn Org honors community leaders at community gala
BROOKLYN — On Wednesday, Brooklyn Org celebrated the inaugural Brooklyn Org 25 at the annual Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball. The Ball, which was attended by more than 600 guests and raised a record $1.2 million to support nonprofits that are driving change throughout the borough, was held at the award-winning Powerhouse Arts.
“The Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball is all about celebrating the work that our nonprofit leaders are doing every single day to address the most urgent issues across Brooklyn,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. “We are so grateful for the overwhelming support our community members have shown for our changemakers this year. Together, we will help fuel transformative change in our communities.”
The 2024 Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball honoree was former Brooklyn Org Board Co-Chair Harsha G. Marti. Marti is managing director, general counsel and a member of the Executive Management Group at Warburg Pincus.
The Ball was hosted by iconic New York DJ and broadcaster Stretch Armstrong and featured a special performance by the Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet dancers. Following the event, DJ Stretch Armstrong hosted an afterparty on the Powerhouse Arts dancefloor.
The Changemakers Ball featured presentations by Lynn Nottage, the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, and the TONY-nominated actor and singer Constantine Maroulis. Brooklyn luminaries were also in attendance, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
Like the “Time 100” list, the Brooklyn Org 25, presented by The Stardust Fund, shines a spotlight on nonprofit leaders who represent the very best of Brooklyn, including community stalwarts and emerging leaders, movement builders and direct service providers, as well as the 2024 winners of the Just Brooklyn Prize.