Urban Upbound celebrated its 21st Anniversary Gala in unforgettable style, bringing our theme, “21 Years of Transforming Communities,” to life. Surrounded by supporters, partners, and community leaders, we honored two extraordinary changemakers: Grammy Award winner Roxanne Shanté, recipient of the Urban Upbound Cultural Pioneer Award, and Gregg Pasquarelli, Founding Principal of SHoP Architects, who received the Urban Upbound Design Legacy Award.

Hosted by NYC’s #1 Independent Talk Show Host Todd Wharton, the evening featured a powerful headliner performance by Peter Gunz, whose live guitar set energized the crowd, followed by The Kosmic Band, who kept guests dancing late into the night.

The gala highlighted the heart of Urban Upbound: our clients, sharing inspiring stories of transformation across education, employment, financial empowerment, and wellness. Several featured clients are now staff members, reflecting our commitment to investing in the communities we serve. From our roots in Queensbridge and Long Island City to our expansion across all five boroughs, the night showcased 21 years of growth and impact.

Guests enjoyed a refined sit-down dinner, cocktail hour, open bar, and a dynamic live auction featuring luxury hotel stays, exclusive dining experiences, a Florida getaway, and an unforgettable Ultimate Mets Package.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, partners, staff, honorees, performers, and every guest who made this celebration possible. Your support fuels our mission, and we can’t wait to celebrate again at Gala 2026. 

If you were not able to attend the event but would still like to donate, please use this link to be directed to our Gala donation page.

Gala 2025 Photos and Highlights of the Evening