MLIFE Honors Champions of Change at Gala Event

MLIFE Foundation Celebrates 7th Annual Gala and Founder’s Milestone Birthday, Raising Funds to Empower Youth Across Continents

MLIFE Foundation hosted its 7th Annual Gala on November 2, 2024, gathering supporters, partners, and friends for a night sparkling and raising vital funds for the organization’s programs. Held at 1187 Franklin Street in San Francisco, this year’s event was especially significant as it also celebrated a milestone birthday for MLIFE’s founder and president, Mwangi Mukami, who turned 40.

Through the generosity of attendees and supporters, the gala raised $73,600 toward the Foundation’s $400,000 goal. The evening’s most notable contribution came from Jennifer Carolyn King and Timothy Fredel of the Rugged Elegance Foundation, who presented a remarkable $40,000 check, underscoring their commitment to MLIFE’s mission. “Seeing such overwhelming support from our community was deeply moving,” said Mukami. “Each dollar raised strengthens our ability to provide life-changing experiences and opportunities to young leaders.”

The funds will support MLIFE’s transformative educational and cross-cultural programs, particularly for Scholars and Fellows—youth from San Francisco’s historically underinvested communities and Nairobi, Kenya. These young leaders participate in a year-long experiential learning program that prepares them for leadership and cultural exchange. Next July, a select group of 28 Scholars and Fellows will embark on a 10-day journey to Kenya, a core aspect of the program that fosters cross-cultural understanding, leadership, and self-confidence. The cost to support each youth’s journey is $6,200, including a $100 monthly stipend and a $5,000 travel fund provided upon successfully completing the program.

The evening’s program featured special recognition for community leaders who embody MLIFE’s vision of openness, virtue, and empathy. Project Glimmer received the Community Impact Award for their outstanding work empowering young women to lead with confidence and resilience. In a heartfelt tribute, MLIFE also awarded Kobby Katalist (Ishmael Amuzu-Quaidoo) Outstanding Leadership Award posthumously, honoring his efforts in humanizing the stories of those deserving compassion and care. Kamaria J. Ventura, MLIFE’s Vice President of Programs, was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her longstanding dedication to MLIFE’s work. “Each honoree’s contribution reflects the essence of what MLIFE stands for: empowering others to lead with empathy, purpose, and resolve,” Mukami noted.

The gala was not just a celebration; it was a powerful call to action, inviting everyone present and beyond to contribute to the mission of creating brighter futures for youth through education, cultural exchange, and mentorship. “If you couldn’t be with us tonight, there’s still an opportunity to join in. Every donation, no matter the size, goes directly toward life-changing experiences for young people,” Mukami said in a closing appeal. “Together, we’re building a legacy of leadership that spans generations and continents.”

As the Foundation celebrates seven years of impact, its commitment to bridging opportunities for youth remains steadfast. With programs like Project Heal and LEAP (Learning Enrichment & Acceleration Program), MLIFE has equipped over 2000 young people with essential skills for academic and personal success. Its cross-cultural fellowship, MLOVE (Mwangi Mukami Leaders of Openness, Virtue, and Empathy), fosters a powerful exchange of ideas among participants from different backgrounds. Through these and other initiatives, MLIFE creates pathways for young leaders to flourish and thrive.

With an ambitious fundraising target yet within reach, MLIFE Foundation invites community members, supporters, and those passionate about youth empowerment to contribute toward their cause. In doing so, donors invest not only in the lives of individual Scholars and Fellows but also in the future of communities that benefit from a new generation of leaders, equipped and inspired to make a difference.