Jazz It Up 2024 Was a Huge Success!
On May 2, 2024, our annual benefit event raised $135,000 to help individuals and families building new lives after homelessness and domestic violence.
It was a night to remember! Guests enjoyed the unforgettable jazz stylings of Darlene Coleman and the Steve Carter Trio. Nido’s provided delectable appetizers, an organic taco bar, and delicious cocktails. Special thanks to the event’s enchanting emcee, Board Member, Nicole Hankton.
In Nido’s covered outdoor oasis, more than 200 guests mingled with friends old and new. Six members of Building Futures’ leadership team shared how we do our work with love. One highlight was the success story of Sofia. The single mother and her four small children moved into stable housing after receiving tailored services while living at San Leandro Shelter.
The raffle was a huge success, raising over $9,000 for Building Futures’ shelter, street outreach, domestic violence, and housing programs!
Jazz it Up also included an opportunity to help Building Futures achieve a matching gift from a generous anonymous donor, who agreed to match all donations up to a total of $10,000. WE DID IT! Together, we raised $10,000, which means $20,000 to boost life changing services.
Join us at Nido’s, right at the edge of Jack-London Square. Nido’s private, covered oasis “La Plaza” is reserved for Building Futures and our guests. This year we will welcome 175 guests, and will offer a seated dinner. The menu includes an organic taco bar, rice and beans, house-made tortillas, and their famous salsas. The event’s signature drink is crafted from El Silencio mescal, citrus liqueur, tempranillo-hibiscus syrup, and lime, with a salt rim. Yum!
Nidos Backyard has a free private parking lot (first come, first served) with a full-time security guard.
Enjoy live jazz with vocalist Darlene Coleman and the Steve Carter Trio. The trio consists of Master Keyboardist Steve Carter, Bass Guitarist Dennis Smith, and Billy “Shoes” Johnson on drums. See members of the Trio performing with “Five Ten” in this video. Five Ten is a San Francisco Bay Area World Jazz group consisting of five longtime friends and international players.
Emcee: Nicole Hankton
Our Impact
100% of the net proceeds from this fundraising event supports our homeless, domestic violence and housing services in Alameda County. Building Futures with Women and Children is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization, Federal tax ID 94-3100741, (aka Cornerstone Community Development Corporation) and your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Building Futures’ mission is to build communities with underserved individuals and families, where they are safely and supportively housed, free from homelessness and domestic violence. Building Futures believes that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. www.bfwc.org. To see how we do our work, check out our Annual Report.
- Suggested donation 1/$25 or 5/$100
- Drawing will be held 5/2/24 at our Jazz It Up! event
- Need not be present to win.
Special raffle prize!
A Golden State Warriors jersey signed by Steph Curry! Curry is widely regarded as the greatest shooter and one of the greatest players of all time. Curry is a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA MVP, with many other accolades.
Grand raffle prize:
Arranged by members of our board
A vacation of a lifetime awaits you at the 5-star Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort near the city of Mazatlán, with a private beach.
With access to a Junior Suite and/or a Master Suite, up to 6 people can enjoy this luxury resort for a full week. Each suite features a furnished kitchenette, satellite TV, daily housekeeping, and 24-hour suite service.
Enjoy breathtaking ocean views from your private terrace or balcony, the outdoor pools, hot tubs, and private beach, gourmet dining, and daily on-site activities. Mazatlán is known as the “Pearl of the Pacific,” on Mexico’s Pacific Coast and is a great family destination. Also includes a $350 travel stipend.
Details and restrictions: Winner may choose 14 days for 3 guests versus 7 days for 6 guests. Vacation dates to be arranged with donor and are subject to availability. Vacation dates are to be used prior to 12/22/2024. Best dates available dates tend to be between 6/1/24- 6/30/24 or 8/15/24 – 10/15/24. Drawing will be held 5/2/2024 at our event. Need not be present to win. Staff and board are eligible. Suggested donation 1/$25 or 5/$100.
LAST YEAR’S EVENT
Thank you! The SOLD-OUT evening at Nido’s Backyard featured delectable food and drinks and live music. The event raised $135,000 and 250 community members gathered to celebrate Building Futures service to the community, and support life-changing programs and services.
Our community supporters met a $10,000 challenge match, enjoyed a celebratory evening of great jazz and food, and gathered in person for the first time in three years!
Treva Reid, Oakland City Councilmember District 7, spoke on the importance of housing.
Thank you to all who supported 2023 Jazz It Up!
MORE PAST EVENTS
Missed it? Watch it here, click on box below:
Need some uplift and inspiration? Want to share our stories?
Watch the 2021 Jazz it Up! video any time, including our three-part “docu-series” that gives beautiful insight into our programs, clients, staff, and the overall heart of Building Futures, even during a pandemic.
POSTPONED DUE TO COVID
Special thanks to our 2020 Jazz It Up! lead sponsors, Michael & Nancy Pretto, Creekside Plaza Partners, Community Realty and Investments, the City of San Leandro and the City of Alameda at the Band Leader level and above!
We are grateful to our other sponsors at the Jazz Beau and Artiste levels include ACI-Alameda County Industries, Bonnewit Development, East Bay Community Foundation, Face Reality Acne Clinic, Flores Optometry Inc., Nat and Kera Binns, Evelyn and Juan Gonzalez, Gaye Eisenlord, Rob & Emily Rich, Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc., Bay Alarm, Bruce and Judy Jund, Carla Dartis & Steven Carter, Gayle Thomas & Mike Williams, Main Advantage Technology Services, Supervisor Wilma Chan, Teamsters Local Union #853, and Tom Lauderbach!We postponed the May 2020 Gala, and focused our attention to keeping our community safe as we sheltered-in-place and did emergency response to the new COVID-19 pandemic.
Special thanks to our 2019 Jazz It Up! Sponsors
Patron
Williams Family
Impresarios
Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, Nancy & Michael Pretto, Sanjay Madan, and UPS Northern California District
Band Leaders
BRIDGE Housing, City of Alameda, City of San Leandro, Community Realty & Investments, VDay East Bay, and McDermott Costa Insurance Brokers
Jazz Beaus
Alameda County Firefighters L55, Alameda Health System, Nat & Kera Binns, Cahill Contractors, Paul Carney & Giovanna Giuliani, Supervisor Wilma Chan, Creekside Plaza Partners, Dark Heart Nursery, East Bay Community Foundation, Gaye Eisenlord, FH Dailey Chevrolet, Flores Optometry, Juan & Evelyn González, Maximus Real Estate Partners, MidPen Housing, Rob & Emily Rich, and Anonymous
Artistes
Deni Adaniya & Kevin Connolly, Alameda Alliance for Health, Hon. Pete Ballew, Best Price Furniture, Bonnewit Development, Carla Dartis & Steve Carter, East Bay Housing Organizations, Eden Health District, Glen Price Group, Habanas Cuban Bistro Alameda, Katherine Greenberg & Hon. Ed Hernandez, Bruce & Judy Jund, Tom Lauderbach, Main Advantage Technology Services, Poppy Bank, Resources for Community Development, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, System Innovation, Teamsters Local Union 853, Gayle Thomas & Mike Williams, and William Pettus Architect
