John,
Last night, we hosted our annual gala — A Celebration of Freedom & Justice. We came together to highlight some exceptional heroes and partners who have shared in our fight to free the innocent and prevent future wrongful convictions. It was a beautiful evening, and we wanted to share some of our favorite moments with you.
One of the heroic advocates we honored was Sharonne Salaam, who was introduced with a beautiful tribute by her son and Exonerated Five and Innocence Project board member, Yusef.
Innocence Project Executive Director Christina Swarns awards Sharonne Salaam with The Award for Freedom and Justice at the 2023 A Celebration of Freedom & Justice event in New York City on May 11, 2023. (Image: Matthew Adam Photography/Innocence Project)
We got a couple of photos of our gala sweepstakes winner, Michael from Utah, celebrating with Innocence Project board member and novelist John Grisham.
Innocence Project board member John Grisham with Michael, the winner of the gala sweepstakes, and his guest at the 2023 A Celebration of Freedom & Justice event in New York City on May 11, 2023. (Image: Innocence Project)
Also during the event, our friends at United Airlines generously offered Innocence Project donors the chance to win two free first class tickets to any destination in the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America to be redeemed any time in the next year.
We want to open this exciting opportunity up to our entire community — please make a special Mother’s Day donation to support our work, then enter to win before midnight on Saturday, May 13. We’ll be in touch via email with the lucky winner.
Innocence Project board member and United Airlines President Brett Hart and Innocence Project board member and benefit co-chair Sara Naison-Tarajano presenting at the 2023 A Celebration of Freedom & Justice event in New York City on May 11, 2023. (Image: Matthew Adam Photography/Innocence Project)
Overall, it was a night filled with joy, love, and people sharing their steadfast commitment to changing our criminal legal system. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Thank you for your support,
— The Innocence Project Team
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