Monifah and her wife Terez will join community leaders, elected officials and allies at the celebration honoring writer/advocate, Darnell L. Moore; gay pride organization, North Jersey Pride, Inc.; and law firm, Schiff Hardin LLC with awards for individual, organizational, and corporate work respectively. The event, hosted at Taste Venue, 47 Edison Place, Suite 53, Newark, NJ from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m., also serves as HMI: NJ’s signature fundraiser. Last year, Spring Soiree (formerly Bridge to Brick City) raised more than $70,000 to support lifesaving programs and services for LGBTQ youth ages 13-21.
This year’s Spring Soiree is sponsored by Henry V. Amerigen, The Greater Gotham MINI Dealers, Jeff Spelman & Ivan Lo, Schiff Hardin LLP, PNC Bank and more. Spring Soiree includes a silent auction with notable sponsors such as Elite Island Resorts, Walt Disney World, Heldrich Hotel New Brunswick, Westminster, NJPAC and others. GO! Magazine is the official media sponsor. There will be live music by DJ Spynfo.
“This year, we‘ve chosen honorees who uniquely support not only the work of Hetrick-Martin Institute: New Jersey, but whose work has also impacted the greater LGBTQ community in New Jersey,” said Dr. Ashawnda Fleming, Executive Director of HMI: New Jersey. “As we continue our work statewide, we are finding it increasingly important to collaborate with leaders and organizations who understand the big picture. This year’s honorees have made it their mission to improve the lives of LGBTQ youth in New Jersey as well as nationally.”
Darnell L. Moore, Senior Editor at MicNews, will be honored for his advocacy for LGBTQ people nationally and locally in New Jersey. He has earned numerous honors for his advocacy in the City of Newark, where he served as Chair of the LGBTQ Concerns Advisory Commission. He was recently featured in USA Today’s #InTheirOwnWords multimedia feature on contemporary civil rights activists.
North Jersey Pride Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that produces events and activities to promote inclusivity, equality, awareness, and understanding in the upper Garden State. NJP produces the North Jersey Pride Festival on the second Sunday in June, as well as a week of activities leading up to the Festival. Comprised of professionals, residents, youth, and families North Jersey Pride has been visible and vocal supporter of HMI NJ’s work since the group formed. In appreciation of the group’s mission to foster a thriving LGBTQ community in New Jersey, it will receive the foundation honoree award.
Schiff Hardin LLP, a general practice law firm, will receive recognition as a corporate honoree in celebration of its dedication to community. Every year, Schiff Hardin LLP provides three percent of total annual billable hours to pro bono activities— some of which HMI: NJ has been a recipient.
“Being able to publicly thank and honor those who have worked so hard, given so much, and advocated on behalf of our program and the LGBTQ youth we serve is truly a privilege,” Dr. Fleming explained. “HMI: NJ strives to always connect our youth members to supportive and affirming mentors and community members and our three honorees are a shining example of the types of leaders we are privileged to partner with.”
Now in its fifth year, HMI: New Jersey has served more than 500 young people from Newark and 40 additional New Jersey zip codes since its inception. The New Jersey site serves youth from Essex, Hudson, Union and Middlesex counties and is the only LGBT organization contracted with the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency. HMI gratefully acknowledges the support of Newark Public Schools (NPS). HMI: New Jersey is an authorized and approved vendor of services for NPS.
HMI: New Jersey serves as the first direct service site outside of HMI headquarters in New York City. HMI: NJ is modeled on the services for LGBTQ youth operated for more than 35 years by Hetrick-Martin Institute headquarters in New York City.
Spring Soiree tickets are currently on sale at www.hmi.org/springsoiree for $100 for an individual ticket that includes dinner, cocktails and awards ceremony. Supporters and attendees can join the #HMISpringSoiree conversation online by following The Hetrick-Martin Institute: New Jersey on Facebook and @HetrickMartinNJ on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT HETRICK-MARTIN INSTITUTE: NEW JERSEY
HMI: New Jersey is a comprehensive LGBTQ youth out-of-school time program in New Jersey dedicated to providing LGBTQ and other youth who are at-risk of harassment, abuse, neglect, homelessness and disconnection with a safe, supportive environment in which to grow and thrive. The site is based in Newark, New Jersey and is based upon the best practices program models designed by HMI. HMI: New Jersey (formally HMI: Newark) has served more than 500 young people from Newark and 40 additional New Jersey zip codes since its inception. The New Jersey site serves youth from Essex, Hudson, Union and Middlesex counties and is the only LGBT organization contracted with the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency. HMI gratefully acknowledges the support of Newark Public Schools (NPS). HMI: New Jersey is an authorized and approved vendor of services for the NPS.