Recap: The Door & Broome Street Academy Annual Benefit 2024

It was an incredible night at our annual fall benefit, Our City, Our Stories!  

Kelsey Louie, Chief Executive Officer of The Door and Broome Street Academy (BSA), spoke about how The Door has been able to go fast and far—through our partners, supporters, and champions: 

"We’ve expanded our mental health services, launched innovative programs, and responded to the needs of our youth in real-time. We are seeing an influx of new New Yorkers with vital needs, many of whom do not speak English. We move fast because the urgency is real," said Louie.

"The lives of our young people depend on swift, thoughtful action. Our new 24-hour drop-in center in the Bronx for runaway and homeless youth is a testament to that. And we go far because we know that lasting change takes time, dedication, and partnership."

"Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at The Door and Broome Street Academy. We partner with government agencies, community organizations, donors—and most importantly, with our young people. We center their voices and co-create solutions. We’ve learned that when we come together, we can go both fast and far."

Fashion powerhouse and former Door member Brandon Blackwood, who received the Change Maker Award, spoke of the hope that being at The Door as a teen gave him hope—and how that hope became self-confidence that enabled him to chart his extraordinary path as a designer, entrepreneur, and advocate for social change: 

"As a teenager navigating my passions and uncertainties, The Door was a sanctuary—a place where I felt safe to explore my creativity, find my voice, and honestly just be a little gay boy," said Blackwood. "I remember attending workshops that opened my eyes to new possibilities. One moment stands out vividly: I was at The Door and I think it was Fridays they would have little balls. It was the only time I was really surrounded by other queer youth my age. I saw them vogue, I saw the outfits, the attitude, the tenacity. And quickly became a regular. Those other teens in that environment, completely free to be themselves inspired me to embrace my uniqueness and to see my differences as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. That encouragement not only fueled my teenage passions, it also instilled a resilience in me that has been crucial in my journey to becoming a successful designer."

Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work, NYU Silver School of Social Work, Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, who received the Founders Award, spoke about our shared mission to provide underserved young people with the mental health services and social supports they need. He also spoke of the recent launch of a new, groundbreaking Hybrid Master of Social Work (MSW) program in collaboration with NYU Silver School of Social Work that will help bridge the massive gap in the mental health field’s workforce: 

"[The NYU Hybrid MSW program] focuses on training the next generation of social workers who are equipped to meet the needs of every child in New York’s diverse communities with impact and clinical excellence.... An incredible partnership between our two organizations has enabled staff members of The Door to join the inaugural cohort of our new Hybrid MSW pathway, created for professionals with prior direct social service experience, at a significantly reduced cost," said Lindsey.

 We also heard from BSA Student and Door Youth Council member Sophia Estevez and former Door member and current Door staffer Marc Pierre, who both shared about the life-changing impact The Door care model has had on their lives.  

Sophia described how The Door has enabled her to know what it feels like to be seen: 

"At the Door, people are proud of who they are and don’t conform to anyone’s idea of who they should be. You can be your full self with no shame. Something has shifted in me, to be able to say, 'I am a Dominican woman. I am a person in this space, and I am proud of what I am.”' 

Marc described how The Door has opened up so many possible futures, exploring the world and doing things he never thought he’d be able to do: 

"I would like to thank The Door for helping someone who looks like me, who sounds like me, who’s lost everything regardless of how hard they’ve tried, get back on track with a new foundation. Because of that help, I am no longer just surviving. I have a future because I have the space and freedom to dream my own future–and the ability to act on it."

The inspiring stories of Door community members like Sophia and Marc are a living reminder us of why The Door and BSA invest in the futures of our young people. 
 
Thank you to Bashel Lewis for amazing hosting and Chuck Nice for facilitating a successful paddle-raising. 

To date, our benefit has raised nearly $1.5 million. This funding will directly impact the ongoing stories of thousands of young people–thank you for making their next chapter possible.

If you were unable to attend or have yet to donate, you can still show your support here. 

Check out our recap video above and photos below to relive the night.