The top juvenile mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, raised $1.4 million with the help of over 300 charitable, business, and community leaders at its largest annual gala on April 16.

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The Wynwood Walls Foundation hosted the annual "Art of the Match Gala," which invited guests for dinner, live music, dancing, auction, and match tales under the stars and among the flora at Perez Art Museum Miami.

The flagship event contributes to the costs of matching Bigs (adult mentors) and Littles (youth mentees). Evening highlights included:

• Performances by Groove Republik.
• The program was emceed by Calvin Hughes of WPLG Local 10 News.
• Record-breaking statistics were shared by the host and BBBS Miami President & CEO Gale Nelson.

In addition, Nelson presented longstanding supporter Matt Gorson (Senior Chairman, Greenberg Traurig) with a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his 20-plus years of dedication to the BBBS Miami group. Littles, Zuni Matute (18), Pierre Labroche (19), and Antonio Menarde (25) gave personal accounts of their experiences and accomplishments, demonstrating the importance of the much-needed youth mentoring program.

“We have so much to celebrate and we were excited to share our BIG accomplishments with our beloved Miami community,” said Gale Nelson, President & CEO of BBBS Miami. “It was an honor to have our family from the Wynwood Walls Foundation Co-Chair the event, Jessica Goldman Srebnick and Scott Srebnick – not only are they alumni Bigs, but they are instilling the legacy of service to their children and giving us another outlet for our Littles to express themselves. We have no doubt that the next BIG artist will be a Little. BBBS Miami is also thrilled to team up with eMerge Americas and Melissa Medina. BIG things coming soon!”

Jessica Goldman Srebnick and Scott Srebnick co-chaired the event. “What an honor it was to co-chair the 2022 Big Brothers Big Sisters Gala. We were thrilled to announce the partnership of the newly established the Wynwood Walls Foundation with an organization that continues to do important work in our community through mentoring,” Jessica Goldman Srebnick said. “This new partnership provides a highly creative outlet for young people to express themselves and discover their creative spirit. The evening could not have been more perfect. You walked away feeling and seeing first-hand the power of possibility.”

Supporters included: Honorary Chair, Melissa Medina. Excellence Sponsor, Carnival Foundation. Innovate Sponsors: Gorson Family Fund; Power Financial Credit Union; and Truist. Ignite Sponsors: Bonnie Crabtree; Monat; Pepsi Stronger Together; and Publix Super Market Charities. Impact Sponsors: Anthony R. Abraham Foundation; and Related Philanthropic Foundation. BBBS Miami Board Co-Chairs: Deb Tyler and Tina van der Ven. Public Relations Sponsor: NewStar Media. Advertising Sponsor: South Florida Business Journal.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters and promotes one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people realize their full potential. Visit the website for additional information.