The Stars Shine At Harlem-Based The Brotherhood/Sister Sol Gala 2017 (Photographs)

A Manhattan gala honoring award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright and acclaimed artist Carrie Mae Weems raised nearly $1 million for The Brotherhood/Sister Sol (Bro/Sis), a nationally recognized, Harlem-based nonprofit and youth development organization, a record. The 13th annual Bro/Sis VOICES benefit at Gotham Hall on Thursday was attended by actors Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Rachel Dratch, Adam Lazarre-White and Michael K. Williams, the Honorable Cyrus Vance, New York County district attorney, film and television producer Terence Winter, New York Times columnist Charles Blow, poet-author Elizabeth Alexander and approximately 500 other supporters.

“I thank you profoundly for this honor. More importantly, I thank Khary Lazarre-White, Jason Warwin and everyone associated with Brotherhood/Sister Sol for your example of intelligent, empathetic, hard work at a time when our country desperately needs reminding that American greatness exists in the hearts, minds and spirits of most — though not all — of its people and particularly in the young people like those who have flourished by your efforts,” said Wright.

“I want to congratulate and honor Khary and Jason for founding and building this remarkable institution,” remarked Weems.

Entertainment was provided by Bro/Sis alumni The Peace Poets, a Bronx-based collective of artists who celebrate, examine and advocate for life through music and poetry.

Founded in 1995 by New York City natives Khary Lazarre-White and Jason Warwin, The Brotherhood/Sister Sol helps provide children, teens and young adults with the skills and confidence they need to take their rightful place in society. Headquartered in a Harlem brownstone, its comprehensive approach has been transforming the lives of New York City’s youth. Bro/Sis provides training on its successful model to organizations across the nation, while being active on issues of social justice and policy. The nonprofit has embarked on a $15 million capital campaign to expand its reach and in November 2017 plans to break ground on a new six-story state-of-the-art home, with training facilities, a technology center and an arts/performance space.

“The Brotherhood/Sister Sol is an organization that is dedicated to helping young people understand the political realities of our age and to helping them become social change makers,” said Bro/Sis Executive Director Khary Lazarre-White. “We believe this work is done via education, organizing and the arts—and we are so pleased to have honored two artists whose work and life missions are so intertwined with social commentary, equity and struggling with the important and necessary issues of our time.”

VOICES 2017 was chaired by Bro/Sis board co-chairs Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay and Clara Markowicz. Fundraising chairs for the event were Michael J. O’Brien, Michelle Ores and Charles N. Schorin and fundraising vice chair was Tiffany R. Warren. The event was made possible by generous support of the Omnicom Group; the Dr. David M. Milch Foundation/Ars Veritas; BlackRock; Latham & Watkins LLP; Clara Markowicz; Charles N. Schorin and Michelle Ores; Rabbi Rachel Cowan; BBDO Worldwide; Carrington Charitable Foundation; Davis & Gilbert; Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy; Harlem Community Development; HBO; Marcy & Bennett Grau; Rahsan-Rahsan & Letena Lindsay; Ravi Mallik; The Margaret & Daniel Loeb – 3rd Point Foundation; Morgan Stanley; Lisa Oppenheim Schultz & Robert Schultz; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; TBWA Worldwide; and Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

For more information on Bro/Sis, visit https://brotherhood-sistersol.org.

For more information visit http://brotherhood-sistersol.org.

Photo credit: 1) L-R Artist Carrie Mae Weems and Jeffrey Wright. 2) L-R Clara Markowicz, Event Co-Chair and Khary Laz…tive Director. 3) Rose Byrne. 4) Rachel Dratch. 5) Adam Lazarre-White. 6) Michael K. Williams and Bobby Cannavele. 7) The Peace Poets. 8) The Brotherhood Sister Sol Kids.