will.i.am’s i.am.angel Foundation’s Trans4m Gala 2015
February 2015. Los Angeles
Every year, Los Angeles hosts the Grammy Awards as well as many other high-profile events during Grammy Week. This year was no exception and Empire was once again called upon by recording artist and visionary will.i.am to produce the 4th Annual TRANS4M Gala, benefiting the i.am.angel Foundation. Founded by will.i.am, the Foundation supports trans4mation and revival in distressed East Los Angeles communities by providing STEAM youth educational opportunities.
Traditionally presented as large-scale concert event, this year’s event was designed as a more intimate and high-level gathering with a curated VIP guest list and greater interaction with the Foundation’s programs and students. The cocktail, dinner and after-party were designed around exclusive access to will.i.am’s private studio in Hollywood aptly named “The Future".
On a warm February night, 250 of i.am.angel’s most important supporters arrived to experience the Future. They were immediately greeted by an animated virtual will.i.am represented in an amazing 3D projection mapping installation. As will.i.am’s Technicolor image morphed, will sang to a custom electronic track.
Next guests entered a cocktail space designed so that donors could witness up close and personal demonstrations presented by the very students who benefit from the i.am.angel STEAM programming. Students engaged guests with their life-size, hand-built robots, projection mapping displays, coding hackathon and immersive experiences using oculus rift glasses. There was also a 3D printing lab where guests could print a representation of their own face and integrate themselves into 3D games, videos and photos, all hosted by students.
After cocktails, guests were ushered into the Future’s sleek white contemporary atrium and soundstage space which had been trans4med into an elegant dining room with long banquet tables. Flourishes of color from florals, lighting gobos and projections added to the futuristic aesthetic.
A stage program with a series of videos, animations and speakers underscored the importance of the Foundation’s work while guests dined on hyper-modern tableware. will.i.am, and others were joined onstage by i.am.angel scholars and students to poetically tell the story of the important and successful work of the organization. The program included remarks from Chief Philanthropy Officer Tatiana Litvin, Head of STEAM Programming Lilly Kam, Director of Learning & Development at College Track Tina Kim, as well as student Cynthia Arenas who gave a heartfelt tribute to will for all that the STEAM education programs have done for her.
will.i.am then spoke genuinely about his purpose for creating the i.am.angel Foundation and his commitment and inspiration to give back to the community. As a highlight to the evening, three students who were featured on a 2009 Oprah Winfrey Show with will.i.am where he graciously sponsored them with full scholarships to college surprised him onstage. They thanked him for his dedication to the program and shared personal stories of how the Foundation’s work has helped them become the first college graduates in their families.
International superstar recording artist Moby then closed the program with a performance featuring several of his hits, as well as Johnny Cash and Led Zeppelin covers. After Moby’s performance, guests were invited back into the cocktail area for passed desserts and cocktails, while we quickly transformed the dinner space into an after party where DJ Dnice spun and guests danced until the late hours.
By the end of the event, the i.am.angel Foundation had raised over $800,000 for its important programs that trans4m lives though education, inspiration and opportunity.
Empire is honored to continue our long-term partnership with the i.am.angel Foundation and to serve as producer of this exclusive event in this unique Los Angeles venue. For more information on the foundation, please visit www.iamangelfoundation.org