On a warm July evening in Brooklyn, the rooftop of The Arlo Williamsburg pulsed with the sounds of samba, the scent of spice, and the collective energy of a mission in motion. The occasion was the seventh annual fundraising gala for I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D., a nonprofit quietly making a global difference -one student, one passport, one transformative journey at a time.
This year’s celebration paid tribute to Bahia, Brazil -a region known not just for its beauty, but its deep Afro-Brazilian roots. The setting came alive with vibrant performances, curated cuisine, and artisans selling handmade wares. Yet beyond the aesthetic, the night served a deeper purpose: raising support for an organization that’s redefining access to opportunity for high school youth of color.
Founded by educator and visionary Karmia Berry, I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D. was born from a simple but urgent question: What would happen if young people from underserved communities had the chance to see the world before they graduated? The answer, it turns out, is transformation.
The program is an acronym for Curious, Unapologetic, Limitless, Tenacious, Understanding, Resilient, Empowered, and Determined -offers a year-round curriculum that extends far beyond classroom walls. Through immersive workshops, community service, mentorship, and international travel, students gain not just perspective, but a new lens through which to see themselves.
To date, 168 students have traveled internationally with the program, logging over 132,000 miles and completing nearly 800 hours of service. The numbers are impressive, but the change is personal. For many participants, these experiences mark the first time they’ve held a passport, boarded a plane, or left their neighborhood.
The gala gathered a wide range of supporters who’ve become champions of the cause -from TV personality and host Gia Peppers, to Travel Weekly Editor-in-Chief Arnie Weissmann. Founder and CEO of AfroFuture, Abdul Karim Abdullah, Founder and CEO of I am CaribBeing, Shelley Worrell, and Founder & CEO of Inspiring Minds, Deryck Toles. Each spoke to the power of visibility, representation, and the life-shifting potential of global access.
One speaker summed it up poignantly: “We often talk about kids needing to see what’s possible. This program goes a step further -they feel it, taste it, live it. That’s where change begins.”
The evening itself reflected that ethos. Guests, dressed in bold interpretations of formalwear, danced beneath the Brooklyn sky. But this was no ordinary gala. It was a cultural exchange, a reunion, and a rally cry -proof that when young people are given the tools to explore the world, they begin to reshape their place within it.
As I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D. looks toward its eighth year, the vision remains rooted in one belief: travel is not a luxury. It’s a lever for equity. And when students of color step into global spaces, they don’t just witness history—they start making it.
To learn more about I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D. or support the movement visit www.iamcultured.org
