Together for Hope 25th Anniversary Gala
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Reception at 5:45 p.m. · Gala at 6:30 p.m. · The Westin Jackson
For 25 years, Together for Hope has worked alongside grassroots leaders in the Delta, the Black Belt, Appalachia, and across Tribal Nations, Texas, and the Four Corners to abolish persistent rural poverty. This October we come home to Jackson to celebrate what those communities have built and to share exciting news about the next chapter of Together for Hope.
The Gala is open to everyone, whether or not you attend our Annual Meeting (happening October 21–23 in Fondren). Bring a friend, bring your congregation, or fill a table. The good people are already there. Come celebrate with them.
Photo: D’Artagnan Portrait |
Featuring Rita BrentComedian, musician, and host of the EMMY Award-winning Late Night with Rita Brent Rita Brent hosts the evening, bringing her comedy to the Gala stage throughout the program. We are glad to welcome her back to Jackson for this celebration. |
The evening
| 5:45 p.m. | Pre-reception in the lobby. A jazz band, passed hors d’oeuvres, and time to greet old friends and meet coalition members from across the four regions. |
| 6:15 p.m. | Ballroom doors open. Our team will help you find your table. Please be seated by 6:30. |
| 6:30 p.m. | Welcome from our host, Rita Brent. An invocation and dinner, followed by more from Rita and a program celebrating 25 years of Together for Hope, plus exciting news about the next chapter of our work. |
| 8:00 p.m. | 25th Anniversary Dance Party. The DJ starts the party set, and the dance floor opens until 10:00 p.m. Rita Brent will also greet guests for photos after the program. |
Tickets
| Option | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Gala Ticket | $100 | One seat at the 25th Anniversary Gala |
| Gala Table Patron | $150 | Priority seating and recognition in the program |
| Gala Table | $1,000 | A reserved table for 8 with recognition in the program |
Attending the Annual Meeting? Add the Gala when you register: the General Attendee Bundle is $185 and the Coalition Member Bundle is $100, each including full conference registration and one Gala seat. See the full Annual Meeting.
Please purchase tickets by Monday, October 12.
Know before you go
| Venue | The Westin Jackson, 407 South Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201 |
| Dress | Party dress. Wear something festive that you can dance in, whether that is a cocktail dress, a suit, or a sport coat with or without a tie. |
| Parking |
At the Westin: Self-parking is on site, and because the cocktail hour starts after 5:00 p.m., most guests will pay the flat $10 evening rate (enter after 5:00 p.m., leave before 4:00 a.m.). Valet is also available, from $25 for the first hour up to $40 for 4 to 8 hours. Nearby lots: Block C, Lot 5 at 509 E Pascagoula St is a two-block walk, and the E Capitol St. garage is about 0.3 miles away. Both are usually around $4 to $5 when reserved through a parking app. Street parking: Metered spaces line South Congress and Tombigbee Streets around the hotel. They fill quickly when downtown is busy. Rates are set by the hotel and lot operators and may change. |
| Shuttle | Annual Meeting guests staying at Homewood Suites Fondren can ride the shuttle to and from the Westin that evening. The ride is about 15 minutes each way. Shuttles to the Gala run from 5:20 to 6:15 p.m. Return shuttles to Homewood Suites run from 8:15 to 10:30 p.m. |
| Staying over | Together for Hope holds a small room block at the Westin at $169 per night through Wednesday, October 7. Book at the Westin |
Join us as poverty abolitionists.
Questions about tickets, tables, or seating: Natalie Aho, Chief Development Officer, natalie@tfhope.org
With gratitude
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Our 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting is made possible by partners who believe in the leaders of rural communities. Their support brings coalition members together in Jackson to learn from one another and plan the next 25 years of work.
Gail and Steve Brookshire
Interested in sponsoring? Contact Natalie Aho, Chief Development Officer