BY: Art Campomanes Staff Writer for World Liberty TV

Urban Upbound provides low-income New Yorkers the tools and resources needed to achieve economic mobility and self-sufficiency.

Urban Upbound 22nd Anniversary Gala -2026 took place at Ascent NYC on Thursday, October 22, 2026, where purpose meets celebration and where together, we continue moving beyond barriers toward lasting economic mobility.

This milestone gala bought together business leaders, philanthropists, elected officials, and community champions for an inspiring evening of celebration, networking, and impact.

Guests enjoyed an elevated cocktail-style experience featuring premium cuisine, an open bar, live entertainment by DTM (Doing Too Much) with special guests, exciting auction experiences, and powerful stories of lives transformed through Urban Upbound’s work.

This year’s event also celebrated the executive leadership team of Douglaston Development, alongside New York City Police Commissioner, Jessica Tisch and Jennifer Jones Austin of Federal of Protestant Welfare Agencies, for their leadership and impact across New York City.

More than a celebration, Beyond Barriers is an opportunity to invest in the future of New York City.

Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and donation made directly supports Urban Upbound’s eight integrated programs, helping thousands of individuals and families access career opportunities, financial stability, higher education, mental health services, small business support, and financial inclusion.

Together, we’ll celebrate 22 years of impact while investing in the next generation of success stories. Said, Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Co-Founder & CEO, of Urban Upbound.

Bishop Taylor went on to say, I am honored to welcome you to Beyond Barriers: Urban Upbound’s 22^nd Anniversary Gala, as we celebrate 22 years of impact in public housing neighborhoods across New York City.

For more than two decades .Urban Upbound has remained committed to one fundamental belief: your zip code should never determine your opportunities or your future.

Through our integrated programs, we have helped thousands of New Yorkers overcome barriers, access critical resources, and build pathways toward lasting economic mobility.

This year we are proud expanded our reach with the opening of our Hamel Houses Service Center in Far Rockaway, bringing essential services directly into another public housing community.

We also launched Bridge2Tech, an exciting initiative connecting underserved New Yorkers to training, certifications, and career opportunities in technology and emerging industries.

These milestones reflect our continued commitment to meeting communities where they are while preparing them for the opportunities of tomorrow.

As we look ahead, we have set an ambitious goal: to move 3,000 families toward economic mobility over the next 12 months.

Achieving this goal will require the continued partnership and generosity of individuals and organizations who believe in our mission.

Tonight we are proud to honor Douglaston   Development and its leadership, Jeffrey Levine, Jessica Sherman, and Benjamin Levine; NYPD Commissioner Jessica S Tisch; and Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director of FPWA.

We also recognize the lasting legacies of Catherine T. Nolan and Ms. Claudia Coger , whose dedication to public service and community empowerment continues to inspire our work.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Ms. Elysabeth Klienhans, our Diamond Sponsor, for her extraordinary generosity and continued commitment to Urban Upbound.

To all our sponsors and supporters, thank you for investing in the communities and families we serve.

My sincere appreciation also goes to Bonnie Bergstein, Chair of our Board of Directors, our Gala Planning Committee, and the entire Urban Upbound team for their dedication and leadership.

While tonight is an opportunity to celebrate, Beyond Barriers is about much more than an evening of food, music, and entertainment.

It is about the lives we transform, the opportunities we create, and the lasting impact we can achieve together.

Every contribution made tonight is an investment in a stronger, more equitable future for New Yorkers.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us more beyond barriers toward a future where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

It was a great event, great people alongside a great mission, Bishop and his team’s heart is in the right place, by helping people that need to be helped.

To learn more about Urban Upound and to contribute to this wonderful cause, click here.

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