Unstoppable Foundation 6th Annual Gala Honors Warren Moon

Surrounded by mega influencers in sports, entertainment, and charity, as well as best-selling authors, nationally known speakers, and global thought leaders at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, we met Warren Moon, the quarterback of the Houston Oilers, NFL football player Michael Robinson, former standout tight end Tony Gonzalez (who served as the co-chairman of the Gala) and many other NFL football greats inside at the red carpet social hour before dinner in the grand ballroom.

10897930_10155314266495471_1069208665799869025_n — Writer Melissa Curtin, NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon, Allison Bobrow, the President of the San Diego Chapter of the University of Washington Alumni Association. (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)

The Unstoppable Foundation Gala sponsored by ABC honored NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon with the Unstoppable Achievement award. Co- hosted by philanthropist and entertainer Shawn King (Larry King’s wife) and actor Malcom Jamal Warner, we learned that the foundation’s mission is for every child to not only dream, but to make their dreams come true by having an education. The event raised close to a million dollars and I was in awe as one person after another stood up to donate $25,000 at a time to aide in bringing education and stability to developing nations.

10559771_10155314059035471_4474653196215755727_n — Shawn King and Malcolm Jamal Warner, Co-hosts of the Unstoppable Foundation Gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, LA. (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)

We learned that education yields a larger impact than any other form of help or aid to improve health, raise income, promote gender equality, and reduce overall poverty. For every year a child goes to school, especially a girl, HIV rates go down, income potential and rates of employment increases, girls get married later, early pregnancy rates decrease, and nutrition and health is elevated by the entire family.

10401995_10155314010210471_63045346240512041_n — Amy Freeborn, EVP of Business Development at Charity Brands, and Jeff Cohen, entertainment attorney and founding partner of Cohen and Gardner, most famous for playing Chunk in the movie The Goonies. (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)

Throughout the evening there were numerous musical acts, but one that stood out was the youngest and tiniest girl I have ever seen perform who boldly sang her heart out like an adult Whitney Houston. That was the first time I have seen a child bring a standing ovation to a packed ballroom. The night included ever flowing cocktails and a healthy multi course meal.

11079691_10101011905994085_5473144927053042951_n — Unstoppable Foundation Gala tablemates: Charity Brands Consulting VP Suzanne Zudiker, Charity Brands Consulting VP Amy Freeborn, philanthropist and future doctor Bonamico Porter Jacobs,and Jet Sales Executive Jacque Taylor.

Other notable guests included actress Dyan Cannon, actor Ernie Hudson (“Ghostbusters”), Academy Award nominee Edward James Olmos and mother and business woman Shawn King. Legendary boxing promoter Don King created a lot of buzz as crowds drew near.

11067491_10155313965055471_2566959768865492838_n — Melissa Curtin, Suzanne Zudiker, and Allison Bobrow at the Unstoppable Foundation Gala. (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)

The Unstoppable Foundation was created in 2008 by author and visionary Cynthia Kersey. Her dream was to create transformation on a global scale by igniting a social movement of individuals, organizations and partnerships who are committed to ensuring that every child receives access to an education. To date, the Foundation celebrates 6 years of bringing education to more than 7,000 children in some of our world’s most impoverished nations.