Thank You for Joining Us at the 15th Annual Black Diamond Gala
On behalf of everyone at Youth Enrichment Services (YES), thank you to all who joined and supported the 15th Annual Black Diamond Gala. Together, we raised more than $850,000 to support YES’s outdoor and leadership programs for Boston youth.
The evening brought together an incredible community of supporters, partners, and young people whose lives are impacted by YES programs.
We extend special thanks to:
- YES alumna and emcee Polly Doogue
- Gala Co-Chairs Johanna Fehrs & Kyle White
- 2026 Achievement Award recipient, State Representative Samantha Montaño
- Olympians Heather MacLean & Kyle Negomir
- Elite athletes from the World Cup Dreams Foundation and USA Track & Field Foundation
- Team YES marathon runners
- Elected officials and community leaders in attendance
Guests also had the opportunity to hear from Khalid, a 16-year-old YES teen leader, Roxbury resident, and high school junior, who shared his powerful story of growth through YES.
“Being part of YES for the past three years has shown me that leadership is not about being perfect. When I first started with YES, speaking up did not always come naturally to me. Leading a group of younger kids felt intimidating,” Khalid shared. “YES gave me a safe space to try, to make mistakes, and to grow. I realized YES is not just about sports. It is about belief. It is about helping young people see what they are capable of.”
During the program, YES also debuted a new video highlighting its outdoor and leadership development programs. The video features YES teen leaders, youth, families, and community members, while offering a preview of progress on YES’s future headquarters. Follow this link to watch it.
The spirit of YES was truly felt, seen, and heard throughout the evening. Thanks to your generosity, YES can continue to inspire youth through outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities that build confidence and prepare them to summit life’s challenges.
To our incredible community of supporters and sponsors:
Thank you! Your generosity and belief in our mission make moments like this possible and allow YES to continue creating meaningful opportunities for Boston youth every day.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
L to R: YES alum and emcee Polly Doogue with YES Board member and parent Rashaun Martin; YES teen leader Khalid with his family; State Representative Samantha Montaño with YES Executive Director Bryan Van Dorpe; YES Trustees and 2026 Gala Co-Chairs Johanna Fehrs and Kyle White.
Photo Credit: Ginger DeShaney Photography
Video Credit: Rewatchable
Thank you from YES!
