Room to Read's New York Gala Changes the Game for 60,000 Children

May 18, 2018

See Inside the Event

On May 17, Room to Read's network of game changers joined forces at our annual New York Gala at SECOND. Together they raised $3 million to benefit 60,000 children through Room to Read's Literacy and Girls' Education programs. Event honorees Samantha Barry, Glamour editor-in-chief, and Jamie Forese, Citigroup president, were recognized for their organizations' commitment to education, followed by an empowering musical performance by Grammy Award Winner, Ashanti.

Neema Mwita, a Room to Read Girls' Education Program social mobilizer from Tanzania, inspired the crowd with her personal reflections on how she witnesses the transformational impact Room to Read is having on students and communities every day.

Read more about the night's special guests and honorees in our press release!

Honoree, James Forese, president of Citigroup with Grammy Award Winner, Ashanti ; Room to Read social mobilizer, Neema Mwita; Room to Read's CEO, Geetha Murali, and Room to Read's board member and event chair, Scott Kapnick.

John Wood, Room to Read's founder and Amy Powell welcome Neema who traveled from Tanzania for the special event.

James Forese, president of Citigroup, receives the Champion Award on behalf of Citi and e for Education.

Samantha Barry, on behalf of Glamour and The Girl Project, was presented with the Superhero Award for Glamour’s commitment to world change through empowering women and girls.