Smile Train's 25th Anniversary Gala

In celebration of Smile Train's 25 years of lighting up the world with smiles, the 25th Anniversary Gala aimed to reflect on the journey, honor the stars who have supported the cause, and look ahead to a bright future. Over 300 guests gathered for an inspiring evening featuring a cocktail reception, seated dinner, star-studded “blue carpet,” and an honoree program, all celebrating this milestone in cleft care.

The event kicked off with a unique “Pup-Jito Lounge,” sponsored by Brutus Broth, where guests had the opportunity to take photos with cleft-affected puppies and enjoy a signature Pup-Jito cocktail, creatively tying into the theme. Hosted by Jeannie Mai, the program featured heartfelt tributes to luminaries such as Naomi Glasses, Sister Shoba Lonappan, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train, shared the inspiring news of the organization's 2 millionth surgery.

Grammy-nominated artist Jordin Sparks performed a mix of her hits, energizing the crowd and setting the stage for the afterparty with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Notable VIPs like Justin Long, Kate Bosworth, and Elizabeth Gillies joined the celebration, adding to the event's star power.

The gala garnered widespread media coverage, generating over 8 billion digital impressions and sparking post-event buzz in publications such as People Magazine, Essence, and The Wall Street Journal. Good Morning America also amplified the event’s reach through social media.

Empire was proud to lead the creative direction, secure the venue, manage on-site talent, and ensure flawless technical production and program execution. Working closely with Smile Train and strategic partners, we helped make their 25th Anniversary Gala an unforgettable celebration of their incredible work and future vision.