Photos | Bloom Ball Celebrates Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, Raises $350k+

Event: Booker T. Washington Community Service Center “Bloom Ball”
Date: September 19, 2024
Location: Hotel Nikko, San Francisco
Photos (59): Katie Ravas and Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

The Booker T. Washington Community Service Center celebrated its inaugural Bloom Ball on Thursday, September 19, at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco with 375 esteemed guests.

 Guests celebrated Booker T.’s transformation and growth, honoring the center’s 105-year legacy serving as an anchor institution for San Francisco. The event raised more than $350,000 in critical funds to help the Center continue to expand their programs and provide affordable housing, and strengthen their commitment to helping more than 6,000 vulnerable San Franciscans thrive.

The gala featured a set by SF Giants’ DJ Umami, a 3-course, sit down dinner with a menu curated by Chef Fernay McPherson of Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement that featured produce from local, Black-stewarded farms, an awards ceremony honoring community members and SF luminaries like Senator John Burton, followed by a special afterparty in Feinstein’s Lounge at the Nikko with soulful entertainment by Martin Luther McCoy. ABC7 KGO morning news anchor Kumasi Aaron stepped out as the mistress of ceremonies. Guests showed off their formal style with a black tie optional sneaker ball dress code — tux and Chucks, ball gowns and Uptowns!

As one of the Bay Area’s oldest Black-led and serving nonprofits, Booker T. has nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans in the Fillmore/Western Addition. They keep the community housed with 50 units of on-site permanent, affordable, supportive housing for families, older adults and youth coming out of the foster care system; enable connection and joy for community elders; nourish 2,000 neighbors with culturally-relevant and nutritious groceries sourced from local Black farmers; root K-12 after school programs in a Freedom School model; and provide stabilization and wellness support so the community stays housed, well in spirit and body, and connected. 

The evening was supported by presenting sponsor Stupski Foundation, as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Deloitte, The Fragrance Group, NorCal Carpenters Union, University of California San Francisco, Collective Impact, Conventus Lending, Dodge & Cox, 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic, African American Art & Culture Complex, African American Construction Collective, Bonner Communications, By the Bay Health, Claudine Cheng, Drew School, Japanese Community Youth Council, Prado Group, San Francisco Giants, Virginia Smyly, Zach Abrams/Stratim Capital and more!

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