Celebrities and Activists United to Celebrate Trailblazers in Justice and Environmental Reform at The Plaza Hotel on October 16 with Dream.Org
On October 16, 2024, the glittering Plaza Hotel in New York City played host to a night of inspiration and celebration as Dream.org held its inaugural “We, The Dream” Gala. We had the honor of being there to witness this star-studded event that brought together celebrities, activists, and changemakers in the realms of justice and environmental reform.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 16: Vijay Anand, Nisha Anand (C), Sadhna Anand and Menini Anand attend the 2024 Dream.Org “We, The Dream” Inaugural Gala on October 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Dream.Org)
The gala recognized three outstanding individuals for their contributions to society. Leah Thomas, the trailblazing intersectional environmentalist, received the Dream Maker Award, presented by Grammy-nominated singer Camila Cabello. Thomas, who coined the term ‘eco-communicator’, is the founder of the non-profit Intersectional Environmentalist, a leading resource hub for diverse and accessible climate education. Her influential book, “The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet,” has become a cornerstone text in the environmental justice movement. Thomas’s work has garnered recognition from Forbes 30 under 30, EBONY Power 100, and TIME100 Next, cementing her status as a leading voice in the fight for environmental equity.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 16: Camila Cabello introduces Leah Thomas at the 2024 Dream.Org “We, The Dream” Inaugural Gala, celebrating justice and environmental champions, on October 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Dream.Org)
Sheriff Eric S. Higgins, Pulaski County, Arkansas’ first African American Sheriff, was honored with the Dream Future Award, presented by Emmy-winning author and host Tamron Hall. Higgins, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, has gained national attention through his appearance in the critically acclaimed Netflix documentary “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment.” The series showcases Higgins’s innovative approach to jail reform, focusing on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. His groundbreaking work in reimagining the criminal justice system has sparked conversations across the country about the potential for more humane and effective approaches to incarceration.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Sheriff Eric S. Higgins and Tamron Hall attend the 2024 Dream.Org “We, The Dream” Inaugural Gala, celebrating justice and environmental champions, on October 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Dream.Org)
Jessica Jackson, the distinguished prison reform advocate, was awarded the Dream Legacy Award, presented by social entrepreneur Dr. Topeka K. Sam. Jackson’s journey from high school dropout and wife of an incarcerated man to a leader in criminal justice reform is nothing short of inspirational. As the driving force behind Dream.Org’s national initiative #cut50, Jackson played a crucial role in passing the “First Step Act” in 2018, which The New York Times called “the most substantial justice reform in a generation.” Kim Kardashian made a special virtual appearance at the gala to honor her close friend and mentor. Kardashian praised Jackson’s tireless efforts, saying, “You have been a game changer in how we fight for freedom and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for people inside, people trapped on neverending sentencing and probation and parole, for people like me who just want to help.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Jessica Jackson and Dr. Topeka K. Sam attends the 2024 Dream.Org “We, The Dream” Inaugural Gala, celebrating justice and environmental champions, on October 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Dream.Org)
The evening was graced by stars who lent their voices to the cause. Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, Grammy-nominated artist Camila Cabello, and Emmy-winning host Tamron Hall were in attendance, along with the virtual appearance by Kim Kardashian. Other notable attendees included Rep. Justin J. Pearson of the Tennessee Three, TONY-nominated actor Constantine Maroulis, and Greek pop artist Kalomira. Watch a few interviews with the attendees below!
Rachel King, Chief People Officer at Dream.Org, set the tone for the evening, emphasizing the importance of coming together to fight for the American Dream. Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.Org, delivered a stirring speech about the ongoing struggle for equality and the need for continued work to realize the promise of freedom for all.
The “We, The Dream” Gala not only celebrated current achievements but also set the stage for future progress. As the night came to a close, it was clear that the spirit of dreaming big and working tirelessly for a better world was alive and well among the gathered luminaries and changemakers. With its successful inaugural event, Dream.org has established “We, The Dream” as a powerful platform for recognizing and inspiring those who dare to dream of a more just and sustainable world for all.
