Director and Producer Antoine Fuqua, SNL cast member Jay Pharoah and CEO and Founder of Vice Media Shane Smith will be honored at The Opportunity Network’s Night of Opportunity gala on April 11.
The organization helps talented, low-income students work towards attending college and having successful careers. Starting when their in 10 grade, the program introduces them to career opportunities, facilities paid summer internships, professional etiquette and teaches them how to network. They help to support all the way to their graduation from college.
Jessica Pliska, CEO and Founder of the nonprofit said in a statement that the men being honored truly exemplify using talent to spread a positive message. “Whether it is Antoine’s gift for storytelling, Jay’s relentlessly growing list of perfect impressions or Shane’s quest to disrupt the media industry and tell stories that matter, these men are great examples of how hard work and individuality breeds success,” she said.
The honorees as well as students who have benefited from the program will give their remarks at the gala. The gala will also be a time for them to celebrate five years of service. In that time The Opportunity Network has served over 2,500 students and all of them have graduated from college. Comparatively, only 10 percent of low-income students graduate college nationwide.
More details on The Opportunity Network and tickets for the gala can be found on their website.
