Newark Nonprofit To Host ‘Changemakers Cocktail Gala’: 2025 Event

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Ironbound Community Corporation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) will host its highly anticipated Changemakers Cocktail Gala on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the iconic Avenue A Club in Newark, NJ. This annual celebration brings together community leaders, partners, funders, legislators, and supporters to uplift equity, opportunity, and justice in the Ironbound and across Newark. This year’s theme, “Newark Rising,” honors the resilience, creativity, and collective strength of Newark’s communities — continuing to overcome its historical challenges through community-led change.

This year, ICC is proud to recognize an outstanding group of honorees. The United Way of Greater Newark will be honored for its leadership in economic empowerment and capacity-building across Newark. Earthjustice will be recognized for its unwavering commitment to advancing health, wellness, and environmental justice in Newark and beyond. Longtime community advocates Nancy Zak and Arnold Cohen, together with Leonard "Lenny" Thomas (who will be awarded this honor posthumously), will be celebrated for their decades of tireless work to make the Ironbound a safer, healthier, and more environmentally just neighborhood with the 2025 Sister Carol Johnston Community Service Award.

“We are proud to honor these remarkable changemakers whose dedication strengthens Newark and inspires all of us to build a more just and vibrant future,” said Hazel Applewhite, CEO of Ironbound Community Corporation. “The Gala is not just a celebration — it is a call to action to continue working together for equity, opportunity, and justice.”

Richard Cammarieri will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Richard is the Director of Special Projects at New Community Corporation (NCC), where he leads initiatives in resident organizing, civic engagement, and public policy awareness. He oversees NCC’s youth and adult financial literacy training programs. A lifelong Newark resident, Richard has devoted his career to advancing equity, civic engagement, and community development in his hometown.

The gala will host keynote speaker Dr. Brittney Cooper, Interim Chair and Professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick's School of Arts and Sciences’ Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department. As a nationally recognized scholar, writer, speaker, and best-selling author of “Eloquent Rage,” her fearless scholarship, activism, and commitment to justice embody the spirit of this year’s theme and the transformative change we aim to spotlight.

Sponsors To-Date Who Make It Possible

ICC extends its deepest gratitude to our Platinum Sponsor, United Airlines, and our Gold Sponsors, Port Authority NY NJ, and the Avenue A Club. We are also proud to recognize our Silver Sponsors: PNC Bank, TD Bank, PSE&G, WithumSmith + Brown PC, Climate Justice Alliance, Local Initiatives Support Corporation New Jersey (LISC), and Keypoint Mortgage; and our Bronze Sponsors: Ironbound Business Improvement District, EarthJustice, Provident Bank, New Jersey Children’s Foundation, Victoria Foundation, Turrell Fund, Audible, Santander Bank, RWJBH Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and RWJBH Clara Maass Medical Center. Additionally, we are grateful to M&T Bank and The Support Center for being valued partners in our mission.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, purchasing an ad for our ad journal, buying tickets, or making a donation, please visit us at: https://onecau.se/_b88qc1.

About the Gala

Guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails, great food, live music, and community celebration while raising critical funds to support ICC’s programs -- all while enjoying the unique ambiance of the Avenue A Club. This year includes a “Wine Pull” fundraising experience, where guests can donate to randomly select a beautifully wrapped bottle of wine. Every pull is a winner, and every dollar raised supports ICC’s community-based programs.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now at: https://onecau.se/_b88qc1.

About Ironbound Community Corporation

Founded in 1969, Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) works to engage and empower individuals, families, and groups in realizing their aspirations and together create a just, vibrant, and sustainable community. ICC provides services across five (5) sites -- including a community farm -- in Newark’s Ironbound community, serving thousands of residents each year through: early childhood education, youth programs, family support, senior services, domestic violence support, food security, workforce development, housing advocacy, environmental justice, and community organizing.

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