Written by Rebecca Wallace-Segall, Founder and CEO, Writopia Lab
In April, Writopia Lab held its 2025 Gala. A new dynamic on our Board of Directors allowed for new ideas to flow. My heart still feels full from the entire process. Here were some exciting details and takeaways:
1) For the first time in many years, our kids were front and center of the entire event. They read from their thoughtfully prepared remarks but added charming and meaningful asides throughout the night. They were nervous, joyful, confident, and inspiring. Kids energized the event from beginning to end.
2) The emcees of the paddle raise, for the first time, included 1) a dynamic longtime board member, Kevin R. Free; and 2) a brand new Writopia dad. Both theater people, both invested souls. They warmly connected with the guests as a whole but also individually, uplifted by their organizational knowledge and wit.
3) We honored two brilliant, student-centered program leaders, Writopia’s Associate Director of Specialized Programs, Elsa Bermudez, and Tierra Gunther from our decade-long org partner, Homes for the Homeless. The HFH leadership team came along with a longtime mutual supporter/donor, the incomparable Andrea Stern.
Celebrating this collaborative partnership infused the evening with joy, while also centering Writopia’s dedication to reaching underserved communities and sector-wide impact.
The goal of the paddle raise was to raise 100k to fund Writopia’s 2025-2026 Write to Recognition scholarship program. We did it — with on-the-floor donations ranging from $20,000 to $50. As Andrea put it poetically and perfectly: “It was really special… to celebrate as one collective toward a common cause.”
To celebrate the success, Ally Bonino from SUFFS performed for us all, after passionately acknowledging the beautiful Writopians who emceed the event and the families and donors who ensured that W2R continue. Fundraising can at times feel demoralizing; many of us in this space often commiserate about the ongoing challenges. It was wonderful to be reminded why I chose this path to begin with: to be surrounded by the most vulnerable, earnest, thoughtful, inspiring, talented storytellers and people, young and old, throughout my life. Please take a moment to enjoy our 2025 Gala video to learn more about W2R and Writopia, and to enjoy some photos from the memorable event.
