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The 10th annual AEF Gala

Our Diamond Anniversary

Ten years later: over $600,000 in scholarships to 84 scholars.

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AND HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR SCHOLARSHIPS

Saturday, May 7th at 7:00pm

Prince George Ballroom
15 East 27th Street, New York City

More Gala Information Buy Tickets

Plentiful Bites · Premium Open Bar · Live Entertainment · DJ · Silent Auction

  • When AEF granted me a scholarship, they gave me much more than money; they gave me the confidence I needed to believe that my legal status does not have to completely define my future.

    -Cinthia(CUNY-John Jay College of Criminal Justice)

  • My American dream is to live in a world where racism, sexism, classism don't exist and where I help do that. AEF has opened that path to me by helping fund my education and providing me with the support I need.

    -Faith(Bryn Mawr College)

  • AEF not only gave me the financial support I needed to attend college but also an incredible community of resilient, awe-inspiring peers and empathetic, wise mentors.

    -Oma(Wellesley College)

  • Citizenship to me is more than a piece of paper. Citizenship is also about character. I am an American. I’m just waiting for our country to recognize it.

    -Jose Antonio Vargas(Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist)

Our 2022 Sponsors

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our 2022 Gala sponsors.

Learn More About Becoming A 2022 Gala Sponsor
Julissa Celeste Diana /vanessa Erika Kiara Leslie dan robert nii kristen

Meet the 2022 Gala Organizing Committee

Our 2022 organizing committee invites you to join us as we elevate the next generation of American leaders.

Select committee member for info.

Julissa Arce
Chairman of the Board | Food Committee

Antonia Bernal
Decor Committee

Gloria Cavallaro
Entertainment Committee

Nira Desai
Food Committee

Celeste Everett
Host Committee

Patricia Estevez
Decor Committee

Peter Hoange
Food Committee

Valery Yaroslavtseva
Decor Committee

Diana Melencio
Fundraising Chair | Gala Chair

Theresa O'Neill
Food Committee

John Orekunrin
Food Committee

Pita Rivas
Entertainment Committee

Vanessa Sanchez
Decor Committee

Rob Stenz
Mentorship Chair | Entertainment Committee

Erika Zamora
Treasurer, Scholarship Chair | Food Committee

Kiara Ramos
Entertainment Committee

Adriana Garcia Ceja
Food Committee

John Orekunrin
Gala Committee

Natasha Franzen
Sponsorship Committee

Leslie Lone
Decor Committee

Edgar Patrick Landas
Entertainment Committee

Kristen Camacho
Food Committee

Alexander Jillions
Sponsorship Committee

Camille Napa
Honorary Co-Chair

Josue Napa
Honorary Co-Chair

Juliana Merola
Sponsorship Committee

Jessyca Gonzalez
Food Committee

Andrea Martinez
Sponsorship Committee

Peter Hoang
Sponsorship Committee

Dan Kokini
Board Member | Food Committee

Dan Kokini
Board Member | Food Committee

Robert Stenz
Board Member | Sponsorship Committee

Rachael Grace

Nii Ato Bentsi-Enchill
Board Member | Sponsorship Committee

Christian Narvaez
Honorary Co-Chair

Lily Cohen
Honorary Co-Chair

Meet the 2022 Gala Organizing Committee

Our 2022 organizing committee invites you to join us as we celebrate the American immigrant experience.

Julissa Celeste Diana Vanessa Erika Kiara Leslie Dan Robert Nii Kristen

Looking Back at Previous Gala Fundraiser

Our annual gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we have awarded over $600,000 in college scholarships from 2012-2022. Our 84 AEF Scholars represent 29 different countries and attend colleges across the United States including Princeton University, Harvard, NYU, Skidmore University, CUNY, Hunter College, SUNY Farmingdale, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at CUNY, Hamilton College, and Ithaca College and more.

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With every $2500 raised we are able to help one more student reach their full potential

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GET YOUR 2022 GALA TICKETS NOW!
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