The BronxWorks 2021 Building Better Futures Gala: Recap

A thank you collogue to BronxWorks Students and adult workers

Thank You to all of our sponsors! For a full list, click here.

BronxWorks would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the 2021 Building Better Futures Gala a remarkable success! Special thanks to all our sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors USI and Turner Construction Company and Gold Sponsors Gilbane and JP Morgan Chase & Co. For the first time, the annual event was completely virtual and honored our long-standing partner, USI, and the entire BronxWorks staff, whose extraordinary work has helped the communities of the Bronx withstand and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MLB Legends Willie Randolph (top left) and Mookie Wilson (bottom) interviewed by PIX11 Sports Reporter Justin Walters (top right) over Zoom
MLB Legends Willie Randolph (top left) and Mookie Wilson (bottom) interviewed by PIX11 Sports Reporter Justin Walters (top right) at the BronxWorks 2021 Building Better Futures Gala VIP Event

The Building Better Futures Gala was preceded by an exclusive VIP conversation with MLB legends Mookie Wilson and Willie Randolph, hosted by PIX 11 and CBS Sports Journalist Justin Walters. Mookie and Willie shared with our audience their thoughts on the current state of baseball, memories from their days playing in the MLB, fielded questions from viewers. They also gave us an inside perspective on life in a New York City ball club and as young men chasing their dreams of sports excellence. The audience was filled with Mets and New York City sports fans, and showed their enthusiasm in chat during the event.

Bridgerton series author Julia uinn (left) interviewed by Fox 5 Entertainment Reporter Ryan Kristafer
Bridgerton series author Julia Quinn (left) interviewed by Fox 5 Entertainment Reporter Ryan Kristafer at the BronxWorks 2021 Building Better Futures Gala VIP Event

Immediately following the Gala was a special interview with Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton novels, which has become a hit television series. The interview was hosted by WNYW Fox 5 Entertainment Reporter Ryan Kristafer. Julia spoke to us about about her journey becoming a bestselling author, shared a day-in-the-life perspective with our audience, and gave behind-the-scenes insight into the book-to-screen process. We were thrilled to have such amazing guests join and support the Building Better Futures Gala and allow us to provide such fascinating VIP experiences. Fox 5 News featured this VIP experience the following day. To watch the feature, click here.

The main program of the Building Better Futures Gala was hosted by this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies Marysol Castro. She is a broadcast journalist, PIX11 Morning Show Features Anchor, PIX 11 Sports Nation Anchor, and a Citi Field Public Address Announcer, the first Latina Voice of the Mets. The feature program was pre-recorded and produced as a collaboration between the BronxWorks Development Department and the BronxNet production team. Hundreds of individuals tuned in on May 19 from all over the country to raise money for the BronxWorks Building Better Futures Fund, which supports important BronxWorks services that will continue to help the communities of the Bronx recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights of the gala include a recap video that covering our efforts to help our communities since the start of the pandemic and a staff song to the tune of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman. Watch here.

The Building Better Futures Gala was supported by countless sponsors, partners, individual donors, and colleagues. Thank you to the very committed BronxWorks Board of Directors, whose support every year makes events like this not only possible but a huge success. Thank you to all of our sponsors and individual donors who helped us honor the BronxWorks staff and our work with an outpouring of support. Finally, thank you to everyone who registered, signed on, and participated throughout the whole evening’s events!

Special thanks to our partners, BronxNet for their creativity and collaboration, Gustiamo for their wonderful curation of our sponsor gifts, and Eagle Sports Promotions for arranging the conversations with Mookie Wilson and Willie Randolph.

Watch the full gala.

Watch the BronxWorks 2021 Gala Video, recapping the work done through the pandemic.

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