Announcement of $5 Million Endowment Campaign Seed Gift
NEW YORK – Son of a Saint, the New Orleans-headquartered youth development 501c3 nonprofit founded by Bivian “Sonny” Lee III and dedicated to transforming the lives of fatherless boys, proudly hosted a first-of-its-kind fundraiser, called “A Night in New York,” on Tuesday, May 21. The event took place from 6-9 p.m. at the event venue, Boom, located atop the Standard High Line Hotel in New York City’s Meatpacking District. With an exclusive guest list of more than 275 esteemed attendees, including donors, partners, public figures and dedicated supporters from both New Orleans and the tri-state area, “A Night in New York” marked a new milestone for Son of a Saint, and was a memorable evening filled with celebration and philanthropy in support of a uniquely meaningful cause.
Presented by lead sponsors Stonepeak and Old City Investment Partners, with additional partnership from luxury eyewear brand Krewe, the sold-out signature fundraiser generated crucial financial and relationship-based support for Son of a Saint’s impactful initiatives. The proceeds from the event directly benefited the organization’s mission, sustainability, and innovative growth strategies.
The signature fundraiser was a major success and marked a new milestone for the reach and influence of Son of a Saint. A standout highlight from the night included Stonepeak Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder Mike Dorrell publicly announcing a $5 million contribution to support the launch of Son of a Saint’s endowment campaign. Stonepeak is a global alternative infrastructure investment firm that has supported Son of a Saint in multifaceted ways for nearly five years.
“Stonepeak is proud to support Son of a Saint, an incredible organization bringing critical services and opportunities to the community of New Orleans,” said Dorrell. “Sonny and his team continue to build and expand this wonderful network, providing a supportive framework that changes lives profoundly in a positive way. I am honored to play a part in the continued build-out of the organization and its programming, and I am excited for all of the ways the team will no doubt increase the already significant impact in years to come.”
The event unfolded at a pivotal time in Son of a Saint’s continued strategic growth journey, as the organization presses forward in its mission to uplift New Orleans youth and provide them with unique opportunities through mentorship, education, life skills enrichment, community engagement, and more.
“We were honored to host ‘A Night in New York’ as a unique opportunity to gather our supporters from both near and far to celebrate our mission and the incredible impact we’ve had on the lives of young men,” said Son of a Saint Founder and CEO Bivian “Sonny” Lee III. “With the generous support of our presenting sponsors, and from the Standard High Line under the amazing leadership of its general manager Leon Young, we are confident that this event made a significant difference in the lives of the youth we serve and created meaningful connections in the New York and tri-state areas, and beyond.”
Guests enjoyed an evening filled with New Orleans-centric entertainment, including sounds from the Crescent City’s own DJ RQAway, delicious chef-prepared cuisine, and inspiring stories of resilience and empowerment from those within the Son of a Saint network. Keynote remarks during the night were delivered by Son of a Saint alumnus Miles Stewart, who is a rising senior attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he excels in academics and in football.
“Son of a Saint introduced me to a future,” said Stewart during the event. “Many of my friends and I didn’t see past New Orleans and what was immediately in front of us. We didn’t see the opportunities that awaited us in life. However, with Son of a Saint, we were forced to see it. Son of a Saint helped me kick off my football career and helped me get in contact with my U.S. Representative to attend West Point,” he continued. “Mr. Sonny and the Son of a Saint staff are growing and impacting more lives by the year, giving young mentees countless activities to expand their knowledge, gain new hobbies, and most importantly, make new friends. By supporting Son of a Saint, you are helping to create a cycle of generational success.”
The event also featured a silent auction with exclusive items and experiences, from the likes of renowned New Orleans artist, Terrance Osborne, Son of a Saint Ambassador and restaurateur Stephen Stryjewski, Hotel St. Vincent, Four Seasons New Orleans, Krewe of Orpheus, and more dynamic partners. The auction experience was another fun, interactive, and purposeful means of fundraising, offering the event’s attendees the opportunity to further contribute to Son of a Saint’s mission and experience the best of the Crescent City.
Originally founded in 2011, Son of a Saint holistically supports youth between the ages of 10 and 21, providing mentorship, education, mental health services, travel experiences to expand horizons, as well as internship and career-development learning opportunities. The holistic, long-term, and preventative program currently serves 350 young people across Greater New Orleans, including its cohort of more than 200 full-time mentees, mentee alumni, and additional tuition scholarship recipients via its Son of a Saint Scholars program. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to inspire and uplift young boys, cultivating a supportive community that empowers them to break barriers and achieve success.
For more information about Son of a Saint, its current activities, upcoming opportunities, and ways to get involved, please visit www.sonofasaint.org or call (504) 561-7508. Son of a Saint also welcomes other contributions, which can be mailed to: P.O. Box 19205, New Orleans, LA 70179.