60th Anniversary Gala

Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust

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October 30, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

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Celebrate 60 Years of Impact

For six decades, the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust has invested in education, leadership, and community transformation throughout Philadelphia and beyond. Join us as we celebrate this milestone, honor those continuing Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan’s legacy, and raise critical funds to advance the Trust’s mission through:

Scholarships that expand educational opportunities for students
Leadership development and community initiatives
Programs that strengthen families, neighborhoods, and future generations
The preservation and advancement of a lasting legacy of service and impact

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Host Committee

We are grateful to our dedicated Host Committee whose leadership and commitment are helping make this milestone celebration possible.

Sharmain Matlock-Turne
Mike Morak
Michael O’Bryan
Marc Pelletier
Jasmine Sessoms
Julius Sharpe
Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown
Mable E. Welborn
Leigh Whitaker
Omar Woodard
Melissa Young
Councilmember Jeffrey Young, Jr., Esq
Lynette Brown-Sow
Kimberly Crawford
Philip Fitzgerald
Anthony Fullard
Joseph Hill
Linda House
Sheila Ireland
Christopher Johnson
Ade Lawal
Ginene Lewis
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake

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Event Highlights

Your participation directly supports the continued work of the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust, including:

Honoring impactful community leaders
An elevated evening of dinner, dancing, and live music
Celebrating 60 years of service, impact, and legacy
Connecting with others who hold the Trust’s mission near and dear

Together, we are building upon 60 years of meaningful change.

Master of Ceremonies

Cari Champion

AWARD-WINNING BROADCAST JOURNALIST & TELEVISION PERSONALITY

Award-winning broadcast journalist and television personality Cari Champion has helped redefine sports media with an unapologetic voice and authentic storytelling. Throughout her career, she has advanced the industry for women while building a reputation as one of its most trusted interviewers. Today, her influence extends across sports, culture, and news as host of Naked with Cari Champion, where she explores the stories behind the headlines with athletes and cultural leaders, and as a regular CNN contributor offering sharp analysis on the issues shaping the national conversation.

For nearly a decade, Champion was a defining presence at ESPN, where she co-hosted SportsCenter: Coast to Coast, hosted SportsNation, and moderated First Take. She later made history as the first Black woman to host a late-night cable news and information program with Cari & Jemele: Stick to Sports on Vice TV, and has since continued to shape the conversation through projects including The Cari Champion Show, Tokyo Tonight during the Olympic Games, and the inaugural Athlos Invitational.

60th Anniversary Honorees

We look forward to recognizing distinguished leaders and welcoming special guests whose work reflects the values and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan.