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A Night to Remember: The 2024 Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball

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On October 23rd, nearly 600 Brooklynites came together at the historic Powerhouse Arts building for our 2024 Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball—raising a record-breaking $1.3 million for Brooklyn’s nonprofits!

“Your support ensures that local nonprofits have the resources they need to serve every corner of our community,” Brooklyn Org’s President and CEO Dr. Jocelynne Rainey shared. “Together, we are building a more just and vibrant Brooklyn.”

The energy in the room stayed high throughout the evening thanks to host DJ Stretch Armstrong who guided the program and later shut down the house at our after-party, and a stellar dance performance by BKO partner Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet set to imagery from Civil Rights era demonstrations.

The evening marked the inaugural celebration of The Brooklyn Org 25, presented by The Stardust Fund, recognizing 25 extraordinary nonprofit leaders who embody Brooklyn Org’s commitment to racial justice and social change. Lynn Nottage, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, introduced the winners, reminding us that “real change starts locally, with neighbors helping neighbors.”

We also honored long-time Board Member Harsha Marti for his unwavering dedication to Brooklyn Org and our borough’s communities. In his heartfelt remarks, Harsha spoke to the difference between just living in a place and actually building community in the place where you live:

Here in Brooklyn, community members understand that each of us benefits from a rich, diverse, borough, and that each of us can contribute to its social fabric. Community members don’t just spend time and money, they invest these precious resources by making long-term commitments that uplift others. Harsha Marti, Brooklyn Org Board Member and 2024 Changemakers Ball Honoree

He emphasized that this difference is a choice, sharing that “one of the great joys of living here is that it feels like more and more residents are deciding to become long term community members right here in Brooklyn.”

The stars came out to celebrate the power of local nonprofits, with creatives in attendance including Domino Kirke-Badgley and Penn Badgley, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Idara Victor, Hari Kondabolu, and Constantine Maroulis. Leaders from across our community—nonprofit partners, donors, supporters, and advisors—were also joined by elected officials including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Host Committee, led by event chairs Hilary Jager, Vivian Liao Korich, Vishal Sheth, and Timothy Simons. We are thankful for the support of our sponsors, especially changemakers Cleary Gottlieb, The Stardust Fund, and Hilary Ley Jager and Edwin Jager for helping us Show Brooklyn Some Love!

In the words of our President and CEO Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, “When we say ‘Show Brooklyn Some Love’ – we intentionally use the word Love. It is the fuel that ignites social change, and it is what compels neighbors to step up for each other, to get to work confronting injustice and to dream bigger for the next generation.”

As we head into our year-end giving season, we invite everyone to keep the momentum going—because together, we are fueling the change Brooklyn needs.

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