Last night, more than 350 iMentor supporters gathered at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in midtown Manhattan to support and celebrate the accomplishments of the over 9,000 students served in the last year by the leading national college-access organization. The Champions Dinner highlights the power of mentoring and the importance of providing every young person equitable access to post-secondary education. Students and their mentors were joined by Champions Dinner co-chair’s John and Amy Griffin, special guest Elaine Welteroth and distinguished guests, including iMentor Board Members Katie Couric, Julian Robertson, Mark Bezos, David Saltzman and other civic and community leaders. The evening raised $1.1 million in support of iMentor’s “whole school” model working in 44 public high schools nationally.
“Since its founding in 1999, iMentor has empowered nearly 30,000 students by connecting them with adult mentors. The Champions Dinner raised critical funds that will help level the playing field for thousands of others as they look to further their education,” John Griffin, Chair, iMentor Board of Directors and Founder, Blue Ridge Capital. “This evening is truly unique in bringing together a mix of civically-minded volunteers who devote over three years, and often longer, toward helping a young person realize their goals. I’m grateful for the many supporters who made this night possible and extend my thanks and congratulations to the students who inspire us with their drive and ambition.”
“Last night was an immense accomplishment for the entire iMentor community,” said Mike O’Brien, iMentor CEO. “The Champions Dinner is an opportunity to share and celebrate the achievements of more than 9,000 students and their mentors over the past year. I am grateful to the wide network of iMentor supporters who have helped elevate the voices of young people across the country, through relationships that build empathy and understanding.”
The Champions Dinner was made possible by many generous sponsors, including BlackRock, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Goldman Sachs, Allen & Company LLC, UBS, Two Creeks Capital, and others. The full list of sponsors can be found here.
To invest in iMentor’s community of students, please consider donating here.
To view pictures and highlights from the evening here.
For information about sponsoring next year’s dinner, please contact Stacey Gorman, Director of Special Events, [email protected].
About iMentor iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. iMentor was created in 1999 by John Griffin, Richard Buery and Matt Klein. Launched with just 49 students in a single school in the South Bronx, today, iMentor serves nearly 9,000 students through our direct-service programs in New York City, Chicago, and the Bay Area and through our partnerships with local non-profit organizations that implement our model in 44 public schools.
PRESS CONTACT:
Shari Mason
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