Photography by Michael Nigro
2026 Spring Concert Summary
MAY 19, 2026
The power of music to move and inspire us was on full display at JusticeAid’s Spring 2026 Rhythm Nation benefit concert. One hundred percent of donations and proceeds from the concert will go to our 2026 grantee partner, the National Immigration Project.
Bringing the spirit of Afro-Cuban music to stages around the globe.
Cuban-born percussionist, vocalist, and bandleader Pedrito Martinez and his band, backed by legendary rock guitarist Scott Sharrard, were explosive. Trumpeter Adam O’Farrill blew us away, while the soaring vocals of Claudia Acuña and Alicia Olatuja brought the house down. Everyone joined in for a rousing finale of Tito Puente’s cha-cha-chá hit, “Oye Cómo Va.”
City Winery, NYC
Pedrito Martinez
Vocalist Claudia Acuña
Vocalist Alicia Olatuja
Pedrito Martinez
Trumpeter Adam O’Farrill
Guitarist Scott Sharrard
Pedrito Martinez
The fans!
The band
Pedrito Martinez
The JusticeAid Family! Advancing freedom, equity, & respect for all.
It was an electric night of music, community building, and power! Thanks to our sponsors, ticket buyers, table hosts, host committee, and so many donors whose contributions are helping the National Immigration Project create stronger networks of support in places that need it most.
Kim Coaxum, CEO, JusticeAid
Steve Milliken, JusticeAid Founder; Natalie Jowett, Managing Director
Lisa Monet Wayne, JusticeAid Board Member
Danny Melnick, Absolutely Live Entertainment, JusticeAid Concert Producer
Sirine Shebeya, Executive Director, National Immigration Project
Addy Schmidt, JusticeAid Board Member
JusticeAid Board Members Preston Pugh, Judi Friedman, and Brian Lockhart
JusticeAid’s Natalie Jowett and Kim Coaxum
Defense Attorney Alice Fontier and Board Member Addy Schmitt
Ray Conley, Brave Dog Productions, JusticeAid Board Member
Artist in Residence Paola Mendoza and Chase Strangio
Callie Lardas, JusticeAid Board Member, and Pamela Garlick, JusticeAid Communications Designer
For more than 50 years, the National Immigration Project has worked to advance and protect the rights of all immigrants. With thousands of legal representatives and hundreds of rapid response groups in their network, they are building bridges across movements to ensure that those most impacted by the immigration and criminal systems are uplifted and supported
With gratitude to our generous supporters
Champions of Justice ($10K+)
Anonymous
Steve & Roseanne Anderson
Joan & James Blaine
The Bodenheimer Family
Judi Friedman & Ron Goldstock
Brian & Vicki Lockhart
The Liebowitz Greenway Family Foundation
Stephen & Rebecca Milliken
Therese Steiner
Cynthia Stroud
Defenders of Justice ($5K+)
Gwen Adoph
Lynn Boulger
Eliza Milliken
Harris Trzaskoma
Trumpeters of Justice ($1K+)
Bruce Barrett
Kate Baxter
Katherine Bishop
Ray Conley & Beth Sovern
Lauren Cramer
Miriam Ervin
Michael Etkin
Gregg Fisher
Sallie Gouverneur
Ted Green
Randi Grossman
Helen Hershkoff
Hon. Ellen & Jeffrey Huvelle
Soo Kim
Robert Ley
Rachelle McGrath
Weston Milliken
Nat’l Religious Campaign Against Torture
Nancy Netcoh
Ellen Rosenthal
Margaret Siner
Jennifer Smith & Michael Roth
Kimberly & Matthew Smith
Smith Cooling and Heating
Alan & Cathy Steel
Dr. Jessie Stone
Robert Toms
Watersoft of Rockland
WGMG LLP
Partners in Justice ($500+)
Status Audio
James Bertuzzi
Michael Brustein
Denise Cormier
Katy Crile
Ruthie Epstein
Ellen Farbman
Josh Feigenbaum
Ronald Finiw
Sunny Goldberg
Jordan Goldblum
Damon Hart
David Lang
Callie Lardas
C. Knox LaSister
Maggie Lear
Paul Leder & Lisa Greenman
Anne Messner
Shweta Maurya
Daniel Melnick & Bari Koral
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Justice Allies ($250+)
Karen Altabef
Sapna Arvind
Romaissaa Benzizoune
Eric Boester
David Cohen
Emily Kelly Calascione
Tanya Coke
Lorn Davis
Josh Elliott
Emily & Bennett Epstein
Blair Fishburn
Madhuri Grewal
Mark Gross
Barbara Haber
Sandra Horowitz
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Natalie Jowett
Felicia Lonigro
Stacia Lumley
Veronica Moo & Josh Attie
Martin Marcus
Ashley Pettus
Aric Press
Preston Pugh
Raben & Co.
Carolyn Sapontzis
Melinda Sarafa
Addy Schmitt
Deborah Scott
Vikram Shah
Lisa Spielvogel
Debbie Terlizzi
Barbara Uhl
Elise Wagner
Lisa Wayne