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HEAF\u2019s 2023 Annual Gala was held on October 25 at Cipriani 42nd St. This year\u2019s theme \u201cOur Future in Focus\u201d had two distinct goals: first, bringing focus squarely on to HEAF students, who represent the future for all of us; and second, focusing on the evolution of HEAF\u2019s model to continue to support students\u2019 needs in a changing academic and professional landscape. The evening celebrated three honorees whose commitment to opening doors, creating opportunities and removing barriers is unrelenting:<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_107-scaled.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_107″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||16px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
HEAF friend and one of the most widely sought-after experts in the field of mental health, a respected practitioner and regular contributor to CNN, MSNBC, Fox and the Today Show, Dr. Jeff Gardere<\/strong><\/a> was the night\u2019s Emcee. HEAF 12th grader Abigail<\/strong> served as student host. Dr. Gardere praised HEAF students, saying: \u201cthey represent our future. They are tomorrow\u2019s leaders and they deserve to be. They are intelligent, thoughtful, kind, generous and dedicated. They deserve every opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|16px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n HEAF Board Member and Bloomberg\u2019s Head of Global Facilities, Infrastructure and Sustainability Dave Wildman<\/strong><\/a> welcomed guests, noting: \u201cfocusing on the future of HEAF students means working toward a more equitable, more diverse society as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_106-scaled-e1699026244181.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_106″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_108-scaled-e1699026265975.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_108″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||16px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n HEAF 11th grade student Chris<\/strong> told the audience with confidence that he is a future registered nurse. He proudly said: \u201cI stand here before you tonight, a grounded young black man with my eyes set on my future. With HEAF\u2019s support, I see myself as a future college student, and I realize it is time to focus on my next steps so that I can become the future registered nurse I know I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|16px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Student Host Abigail presented Gala Honoree and HEAF Alumna Evelyn P\u00e9rez-Albino<\/a><\/strong>, saying: \u201cEvelyn has blazed trails in her legal career, and her devotion to diversity and building equitable employment opportunities is unrivaled\u2026 Evelyn is a shining example for all of us that we can achieve our dreams in the future; that we are on the path now to great success.\u201d<\/p>\n Evelyn said: \u201cHEAF paved the way forward for me \u2013 brick by brick\u2026 it simply cannot be overstated just how profoundly impactful HEAF has been in my life \u2013 from the time I joined as a chatty middle schooler to the now seasoned \u2013 yet still chatty \u2013 lawyer, wife, mother, and entrepreneur standing before you.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_110-scaled.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_110″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_111-scaled.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_111″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||16px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In his keynote address, HEAF President and CEO Michael Johnson<\/strong><\/a> stressed the role HEAF students will play as future leaders, and addressed the necessity to continue to remove hurdles to education and opportunity. He said, \u201cWhen the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, that brought our future into sharp focus for me\u2026 racial and social inequities keep families locked in place, facing the same challenges and steep uphill battles\u2026 Our work has never been more valuable, and your support has never been more critical.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|16px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n HEAF Student Host Abigail<\/strong> was welcomed back to the stage to share her story and her future dreams. \u201cI am proud to say I am a future leader. I am not 100% sure what career I will finally decide to lend my talents to but with the support of HEAF over the years, I\u2019m comfortable with the unknown.\u201d Abigail reflected on her time at HEAF from Industry Immersion classes to the recent LSGI trip to Ecuador<\/strong><\/a>, noting \u201cAs we focus on our futures, I ask that we not only think of our own futures, but those of others. The issues we face today are felt all over the world, and traveling to Ecuador has taught me to be a more global thinker.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_123-scaled-e1699029075820.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_123″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Next, HEAF students surprised and delighted the audience by calling out one-by-one what their futures hold. From future computer scientists to entrepreneurs and nurses, the future is bright with HEAF students leading the way.<\/p>\n Following the high energy and excitement of hearing from HEAF students about their future careers, Auctioneer Pat Tully<\/strong><\/a> kept the excitement going, and the paddles in the air! The Live Appeal and Auction was a huge success, with great items up for bid from a weekend getaway in Woodstock to a dinner with HEAF Board Member and renowned Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_119-scaled-e1699026325592.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_119″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||16px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gala Honoree Sekou Kaalund<\/strong><\/a> was presented by Student Host Abigail, who thanked Sekou for his tireless efforts to champion equitable opportunities. She noted, \u201cThrough his professional success and personal commitment to strengthening the finance industry by opening doors to diverse candidates and supporting their growth and success, Sekou is a trailblazer and role model.\u201d<\/p>\n Receiving his honor, Sekou said it was humbling to be recognized. He reflected on his path to success, and told HEAF students: \u201cYou have everything you need to become who you need to be. So, go boldly and be who you need to be to change this world.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||16px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|16px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n HEAF first-year college student Hailey<\/strong> took to the stage to share her future as an orthopedic surgeon. Hailey said, \u201cHEAF helped me bring my future into focus with support, preparation and exposure to new experiences\u2026 As I progress in my career, I look forward to remaining involved with HEAF and giving back, like those leaders we are celebrating here tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/heaf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/HEAF-Gala-2023_120-scaled.jpg” title_text=”HEAF Gala 2023_120″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n