Graham’s 2025 Gala

Sensational! Graham’s Gala Benefit 2025 opened to great fanfare with The Marching Cobras drumming up excitement, marching in perfect syncopation—with talent, tenacity, and dedication—to the very heartbeat of “One Graham.” Our biggest fundraising event of the year took place on May 20th at Gotham Hall in New York City where 364 New Yorkers gathered in support and celebration of Graham’s children and families.

Graham honored Debevoise & Plimpton LLP not only for its fruitful 20-year partnership with Graham but also for its unrivaled pro bono practice (100,000 service hours strong annually!) which strengthens communities all around the country in small towns and big cities alike, most especially right here in New York City. On behalf of Debevoise, Presiding Partner Peter Furci accepted the Champion for Children’s Award from our President and CEO Kimberly Watson, who also served as the charismatic MC of the evening’s festivities. We appreciate everyone at Debevoise for making the event so successful, with special thanks to the firm’s Partner Paul S. Bird and to our cherished colleague Deirdre Mulhern who rallied so many friends and colleagues to champion Graham’s mission to improve the lives of our fellow New Yorkers in need.

Thanks to 100% Board participation, leadership support from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and gifts from Graham’s loyal patrons and friends, the event raised more than $2.6 million to benefit more than 8,000 children and families. This includes $384,000 that was raised during the Fund a Coach appeal, which means that that 77 young adults will have access to a Graham SLAM coach to guide them through each of the major milestones of their early adulthood—first diploma, first job, first apartment—on their way to true independence. That’s at the very heart of our mission—to ensure that every child at Graham grows up to live a healthy, happy, and productive life—a life abounding in joy and personal achievement.  

The Gala Benefit was chaired by Trustees R. Kenneth Bryant (Board Co-Chair), Jennifer Mackesy, Heather McVeigh, Richard Rothman (Board Co-Chair), Georgia Wall (Board Vice Chair and Board Chair Emeritus), and Kimberly Watson. Trustees John Cecil, Barbara Marcus, and John Sargent also served generously as Co-Chairs. We thank Richard Rothman for taking the stage to explain the multiplying impact of a charitable investment in Graham, reminding us that: “One thing that stands out when you look back over Graham’s 219 year history is its track record of innovation– as it has repeatedly developed new ways to support the children and families we serve throughout the city and to bring about systemic change. Innovation is creativity-made solutions, and systemic change is the scaling up of those solutions to achieve the widest impact possible.”

We were delighted to welcome back VIP Graham alum, including Jess Dannhauser (Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services and Former President & CEO of Graham), Anne Williams-Isom (Former NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Former Graham Board Member), and Emil Ramnarine (Co-Founder of Fair Futures and former Associate Vice President for Youth and Community Success at Graham). Emil gave a passionate testimonial about Graham’s role in the creation of city-wide best practices for coaching youth in foster care. Using Graham SLAM coaching methods, Fair Futures has supported 500+ professionals across 37 child welfare organizations, reaching more than 4,000 young adults in foster care and the juvenile justice system. Launched with Graham-grown talent and support, Fair Futures is the largest cross-sector collaboration—and the most successful youth-led advocacy campaign—in the history of child welfare.  

Among the most heart-snatching moments of the night was the gala entertainment. It was nothing short of exhilarating! Graham’s Cornerstone Dance Group, Starrz N Motion got all of our hearts racing with their rhythmic jolts of bold creativity. Gala guests were enthralled by the Tony Award-winning actor and singer Maleah Joi Moon who performed two soul-lifting performances from the Broadway musical “Hell’s Kitchen” written by Alicia Keys.  

This magical night would not be possible without the meticulous planning of Graham’s “Dream Team.” Our Gala Committee was Co-Chaired by Heather McVeigh and Georgia Wall, whose leadership is defined by commitment, vision, generosity, and exquisite attention to detail. If the famous architect Mies van Der Rohe is right in saying that “God is in the details,” then this event is divinely inspired!  We congratulate our new Chief Development Officer Daphne Halpern and her team in planning and fundraising, including CMI Events and Tess O’Dwyer—with a great big shout out to Graham’s own Mayra Pacheco for being the steadfast “go-to” on all things Gala!   

“Congratulations to everyone at Debevoise & Plimpton for your unrivaled leadership in pro bono service—100,000 hours strong annually. When New Yorkers hear “Debevoise,” we instantly think “brilliant legal minds!”  But I want everyone to know about the heart of Debevoise. They’re as caring and kind as they are brilliant. And, to quote the American poet Naomi Shihab Nye, in times such as these,

“it is only kindness that makes sense anymore…
only kindness… that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.”

Thank you, Debevoise & Plimpton, for the kindness you bring where-ever you go…like the beautiful friend you are to Graham.

(Kimberly Watson upon granting the Champion for Children’s Award to Debevoise & Plimpton LLP)