PROJECT BLACKBIRD 2026 Annual Gala: Youth Mental Health

Get ready for PROJECT BLACKBIRD 2026 Gala, raising vibes and awareness for youth mental health in person!

Welcome to the PROJECT BLACKBIRD 2026 Annual Gala!

PROJECT BLACKBIRD 2026 GALA

An Evening Celebrating Joy & Expanding Access to Youth Mental Health Care

Join us in person for an unforgettable evening dedicated to Youth Mental Health.

This gala brings together philanthropic leaders, athletes, advocates, and community members to celebrate Joy — and to ensure that young people can find joy again when it may feel out of reach.

Expect inspiring stories, powerful lived-experience conversations, meaningful connection, and an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of students across the country.

Together, we are funding free therapy, mental-health education, and direct support for youth who need it most.

Evening Schedule

5:30 – 7:00 PM | Cocktail Reception
Enjoy curated cocktails, community connection, and immersive wellness activations including:

• VIP Gifting Suite
• Glowbar wellness activation
• Puppy play for mental health
• Silent auction preview

7:00 – 9:00 PM | Plated Seated Dinner & Program
A dynamic program featuring:

• Remarks and lived-experience storytelling from Jerome Williams, former MLB All-Star and mental-health advocate
• Recognition of our Presenting Partner, BigHeart Philanthropy
• A word of recognition and support from the Department of Education
• Special Honorees(to be announced)
• Live auction benefiting youth mental-health access nationwide
• Seated/Plated Dinner reception
• Speeches and fireside chat with our Celebrity/Athlete ambassadors

What Your Ticket Supports

Proceeds from the PROJECT BLACKBIRD Gala directly fund:

• In-person mental-health programs for K–12 schools, colleges, and communities
• Film screenings and moderated panels centered on lived experience
• Anonymous journaling and reflection tools for students
• On-site mental-health resource fairs
• A covered year of therapy for participating students
• The expansion of our multi-year HBCU mental-health initiative

When you attend, sponsor, or donate, you are helping ensure that awareness is paired with immediate access to care — and that no student is left without support.

This is more than a gala.
It is a movement toward joy, healing, and equitable access to mental-health care.

We hope you’ll join us for an evening of impact, inspiration, and community.

Learn more about the organization and the gala at www.projectblackbirdinc.org