11th Annual Night of Opportunity

The Opportunity Network held its 11th Annual Night of Opportunity gala on Monday, April 9, 2018. Chaired by Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig and Alba and Thomas Tull, the event honored Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc., Van Jones, Host of “The Van Jones Show,” and Gabrielle Union, Actress and Author.

This year’s Night of Opportunity celebrated 15 years of The Opportunity Network’s dynamic work with students across New York City as they create vibrant futures through college and career success. Founder and CEO of The Opportunity Network Jessica Pliska opened the evening with a reminder to all in the room of the importance of building an OppNet community for the next 15 years “where all can belong, and each and every student feels respected and celebrated so they can chart their own path through college and career to a future that is overflowing with possibility.”

The evening was full of excitement for OppNet’s future impact in driving access and opportunity for all students in spite of the structural and systematic challenges many of them face. Night of Opportunity honoree Van Jones said “I’m so proud to be associated with The Opportunity Network because they are ‘ladder-builders’ on a broken ladder.”

OppNet’s community of support for building those “ladders of opportunities” was on full display during the evening. More than 900 guests gathered to attend this year’s Gala at Cipriani Wall Street to celebrate OppNet’s continuous impact over the last 15 years, the outstanding contributions of OppNet students, and the bold leadership of each honoree.

The event raised over $2.1 million to further OppNet’s work through its founding Fellows Program and newest addition, Career Fluency® Partnerships, to support more students from underrepresented communities reach their college and career goals.

OppNet Fellow, incoming freshman at Swarthmore College, and Night of Opportunity continuum speaker Li Dong summed it up best, “As I navigate the future, I am certain that I will always be supported by OppNet. It will always be a place where I can seek guidance.”

This year’s Night of Opportunity served as a powerful example of the value of celebrating and investing in OppNet’s blooming community of students, partners, and friends.