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A Night to Remember: The 2024 Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball


Video by Eliot Kimball | eliotkimball.com | @grampabuns

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:

Video by Remi Amole

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 G. 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.

Three people pose together at an event, smiling in front of a backdrop with "Brooklyn" printed on it.
Three people standing together at an indoor event, with others in the background. The setting features tables and chairs, and the lighting has a warm tone.
A man speaks at a clear podium with a microphone, standing in front of a large red banner with partially visible white text.
A group of six dancers in white costumes perform energetically on a stage in a dimly lit venue with red lighting, in front of a seated audience.
A large formal event with numerous attendees seated at long, parallel tables in a spacious venue lit with red lighting.
A man with headphones and glasses, wearing a beige blazer, is DJing in front of a graffiti-covered brick wall.
A group of twelve people stand in front of a red backdrop with text at an event. They are dressed in formal attire and pose together, smiling at the camera.
A person speaks at a podium with a microphone in a dimly lit room, with red lights in the background.
Rows of banquet tables with red tablecloths and place settings arranged neatly with plates, glasses, and cutlery.
Four people stand in front of a red and white backdrop, smiling at the camera.
A person wearing a green jacket speaks at a podium with a microphone. A large red and white banner is visible behind them.
A group of people dressed formally, posing together at a dining table with drinks in hand, in an indoor event setting.
A person in a gray suit stands smiling against a red backdrop with various text and images.
A woman in a sequined dress speaks at a podium with microphones, in front of a banner.
Woman smiling in front of a red and white poster wall with "Brooklyn" and "Join. Donate. Spark Change." text.
A person wearing a patterned outfit and headwrap dances energetically at an indoor event.
Two people stand at a podium. The woman speaks into a microphone, wearing a sparkly black outfit. The man, in a patterned jacket, stands beside her. A large red banner is in the background.
A group of people pose together in front of a backdrop with red and white signage.
Person with long hair speaking at a podium in front of a microphone, wearing a dark pinstriped blazer.
People socialize and laugh together at an indoor event, with one person holding a drink.
Two people in formal attire pose together, smiling in front of a red backdrop with the words "JOIN. DONATE. SPARK CHANGE.
A woman speaks at a podium to a large seated audience in a dimly lit event space, with red ambient lighting.
A person stands in front of a red and white backdrop featuring text "BROOKLYN ORG" and "JOIN. DONATE. SPARK CHANGE." They are wearing glasses and a plaid shirt under a corduroy jacket.
A young girl stands between two older men, all smiling at a social event. They are dressed in formal attire.
Five women standing together, smiling, in front of a red and white backdrop with text related to Brooklyn and sponsorship.
A person speaks at a podium on stage with two screens displaying the same image. An audience is seated at tables, and the backdrop includes "BROOKLYN ORG" text.
Large banquet hall with rows of long tables set for an event. Warm lighting and decorative posters are visible.
People socializing and dancing at an indoor event, with one woman in a leopard-print dress smiling in the foreground.
A group of six people in formal attire standing in front of a red backdrop with text. They are smiling and looking in various directions.
Three people smiling at an indoor event, with two holding drinks.

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