Pencils of Promise (PoP) marked its 16th anniversary with its annual Pencils of Promise Gala: “Dreams Fulfilled” this week, hosted at New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom. The celebration brought together philanthropists, change agents and luminaries committed to PoP’s mission of breaking down barriers to quality education for children in the Global South. Under the leadership of CEO Kailee Scales, PoP has built 606 schools and impacted nearly 875,000 lives, aiming to reimagine access to education for underserved communities worldwide.
At the heart of the night’s honors was multi-platinum artist Cordae, who received the Audacious Award, a recognition reserved for those pushing boundaries and championing social change. Known not only for his Grammy-nominated music but also for his unwavering commitment to empowering underserved communities, Cordae has consistently leveraged his platform to amplify conversations around education equity and systemic change. In accepting the award, Cordae shared his vision of breaking cycles of poverty through education and voiced his belief in giving back as a moral imperative. His words resonated with the gala’s theme of dreams and opportunities, reflecting PoP’s mission to transform education for children globally.
Scales set the night’s tone with a call to “Imagine a World Where Dreams Come True.” Honorees, including actor Brian Austin Green and Dancing with the Stars pro Sharna Burgess, received the Humanitarian Award, while Grammy-nominated artist Cordae took home the Audacious Award for his advocacy work. The PoP Dream Maker Awards celebrated Jim Kwik and LifeStraw for their dedication to innovative educational and clean water solutions in PoP communities.
The gala brought together notable supporters like Gary Vaynerchuk, Ja Rule, Miss New York Rachelle Di Stasio and model Aqua Parios, among others. Highlights included a lively auction led by Harry Santa Olalla, where experiences such as Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets, a Napa Valley wine trip and a Dancing with the Stars finale package drew enthusiastic bids, with a five-night Mykonos getaway selling to multiple guests for $20,000 each.
