JUSTICEAID SPRING BENEFIT CONCERT | MAY 16, 2022 | CITY WINERY, NYC
“What a parade of great voices and performers!”
On Monday, May 16th, a full house of JusticeAid friends, fans, and sponsors came together at City Winery NYC for a live concert, Bessie! Empress of the Blues, to benefit JusticeAid’s 2022 grantee partner, SMYAL (Supporting Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders), an organization that supports and empowers LGBTQ youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region and across the nation.
The concert is on track to raise $200,000 with 100% of ticket sales, donations, and sponsorships directly benefitting SMYAL. Your support will help SMYAL expand its accessible and affirming housing, mental health counseling, and virtual communities serving queer and trans youth.
SIZZLING TALENT
Emmy Award-winning Mark Ruffin hosted the evening with performances by Paula Cole, Nona Hendryx, Valerie Simpson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Allan Harris, Madeleine Peyroux, Morley, Chris Bergson and Ellis Hooks, and Samara Joy. Each artist sang their own interpretations of hits by the legendary blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, including “Black Mountain Blues,” “Hold Me Again,” “St. Louis Blues,” and “Careless Love Blues.”
Concert photo credits: Day 1 Pictures
GRATITUDE
Thank you to our performing artists, event sponsors, donors, ticket buyers, and guests who created the special magic of the evening.
PASSIONATE ABOUT GIVING BACK
There’s something wonderful about sharing a good meal and uplifting music in the company of like-minded advocates and friends. Click through our photo gallery and enjoy highlights of the evening (concert photo credits: Day 1 Pictures).
THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
Behind the glow of the evening’s festivities lies the grave threat posed to LGBTQ and trans youth, particularly those of color. We’re sharing a short video that expresses the positive change SMYAL makes every day in the lives of queer and trans youth.