A dark blue background displays text announcing the 10th Anniversary Gratitude Gala for The Institute for Health and Social Equity, honoring healthcare professionals and educators on September 12, 2026, at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

The Institute For Health And Social Equity

**Context Profile for The Institute For Health And Social Equity**

1. **Organization Mission & Cause:**
   - The Institute For Health And Social Equity is dedicated to promoting equitable access to health and social resources for underserved communities. Their mission is to address systemic inequalities in health and social services, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being. The organization emphasizes the importance of advocacy, research, and community engagement in driving systemic change.

2. **Type of Activities:**
   - The organization engages in a variety of activities including:
     - **Research Initiatives:** Conducting studies to identify and address health disparities.
     - **Advocacy Campaigns:** Working to influence policy changes that promote health equity.
     - **Community Programs:** Implementing local projects that provide direct support and resources to marginalized groups.
     - **Educational Workshops:** Offering training and information sessions to raise awareness about health and social equity issues.

3. **Tone of Voice:**
   - The tone of the website is professional yet approachable, aiming to inspire and inform. It balances a formal tone with a sense of urgency and commitment to social justice. The language is inclusive and empowering, focusing on collaboration and community impact.

4. **Emoji Usage:**
   - The organization does not prominently use emojis in their website content. The communication style is more traditional and text-focused, likely to maintain a professional and serious tone given the gravity of their mission.

5. **Key Facts:**
   - **Founding Info:** The Institute For Health And Social Equity is a newly established organization, reflecting a modern approach to tackling health and social disparities.
   - **Scale:** As a new entity, the organization is in the early stages of development, focusing on building foundational programs and establishing a presence in the community.
   - **Impact Metrics:** While specific metrics are not yet available, the organization aims to measure success through policy changes, increased access to resources, and improved health outcomes in target communities.
   - **Volunteer Info:** Opportunities for volunteer involvement are likely focused on community engagement and support roles, although specific details are not extensively outlined on the website.

6. **Writing Guidelines:**
   - **Clarity and Precision:** Use clear and precise language to communicate complex issues related to health and social equity.
   - **Empowerment and Inclusivity:** Ensure that content is inclusive, empowering, and reflects the diverse communities the organization serves.
   - **Professional and Inspirational:** Maintain a professional tone while also inspiring action and involvement from stakeholders and the community.
   - **Focus on Impact:** Highlight the potential impact of programs and initiatives to motivate support and engagement.

This context profile is designed to guide AI assistants in generating content that aligns with the mission and values of The Institute For Health And Social Equity, ensuring that all communications are consistent with the organization's goals and tone.

LXCL:One seat at The Institute for Health and Social Equity's 10th Anniversary Gratitude Gala. Enjoy a plated dinner, live program, and dancing as we celebrate a decade of advancing health and education equity — plus recognize the honorees leading this work forward. The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The fair market value of the dinner and entertainment provided is $86 per person. Your contribution is tax-deductible only to the extent it exceeds this amount.<blockquote class="lxcl-quote" style="text-align:start"> </blockquote>

General Admission

LXCL:Reserve a full table of 8 seats to share the evening with your colleagues, friends, or family — and help celebrate ten years of opening pathways for the next generation. The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The fair market value of the dinner and entertainment provided is $86 per person. Your contribution is tax-deductible only to the extent it exceeds this amount.

Community Table

Date: September 12, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM VIP/Sponsor Reception | 5:45 PM General Doors | 6:00 PM Program Location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland, College Park Attire: Black-TieDiscounted reservations are available at the Hotel at the University of Maryland, located on campus, through August 11. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://reservations.thehotelumd.com/book/dates-of-stay?groupID=5313436" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Reserve your room here</a>. The Gratitude Gala is a milestone for The Institute and a celebration of the people who have carried this work forward &mdash; the scholars, the educators, the leaders, and the supporters whose investment in the next generation makes everything we do possible. The evening is hosted by Vanessa Tyler, Emmy Award-winning journalist and Senior News Anchor at iHeartMedia. Why We GatherEvery profession that shapes our health begins in the communities that shape us. And communities depend on the educators, mentors, and families who see every student&#39;s potential. For a decade, The Institute has invested in students pursuing careers in nursing, STEM, and public health sciences &mdash; through scholarships, mentorship, and community &mdash; and honored the educators and leaders who prepare them. A healthier future requires a workforce that reflects the world it serves. The Arc of the Evening Opening Keynote&nbsp; The evening opens with Dr. Marion L. Johnson, whose work&nbsp;on the Apollo 11 mission helped carry&nbsp;humanity to the moon. The Institute&#39;s&nbsp;STEM Scholarship bears her name. Honoring Our 2026 Scholar Cohort Our&nbsp;2026 Scholars are recognized in person&nbsp;&mdash; students pursuing careers in Nursing,&nbsp;STEM, and Public Health Sciences,&nbsp;supported through three named&nbsp;scholarships established in 2018:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Marion L. Johnson STEM Scholarship</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Alana Cueto Nursing Scholarship</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Gloria Addo-Ayensu Public&nbsp;Service/Public Health Sciences&nbsp;Scholarship</li></ul>Presenting Our Inaugural Signature Awards We celebrate five leaders whose&nbsp;careers exemplify the mission we&nbsp;carry forward:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Christine &quot;Chrissy&quot; Thompson, M.Ed. &mdash; Catalyst Award &mdash; Senior Director of Teaching &amp; Learning at Girls Who Code, honoring her work expanding opportunities for girls in computer science</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Petita Rentz, MS &mdash; Cornerstone Award &mdash; Professor at the College of Southern Maryland and Secretary of The Institute&#39;s Board, honoring her steadfast leadership</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Samantha Spytek, M.Ed. &mdash; Vanguard Award &mdash; Secondary Science Educator at Academies of Loudoun, honoring her dedication to inspiring the next generation of STEM students</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dr. Vivienne Pierce McDaniel, DNP, MSN, RN, FADLN, FNAP &mdash; Laureate Award &mdash; a lifetime achievement honor recognizing decades of nursing leadership, health equity advocacy, and policy champion work</li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dr. Aisha K. Brooks, DNP, MPH, RN, FADLN, FAAN &mdash; Founders Award &mdash; Former Chief Nurse Officer, U.S. Public Health Service &middot; Founder &amp; CEO, VitalVoice Nursing, honoring a distinguished career in service and leadership</li></ul>Closing Keynote&nbsp;The evening closes with Dr. Sheldon Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP-BC, AACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FADLN, FAAN,&nbsp;14th National President of the National&nbsp;Black Nurses Association &mdash; casting&nbsp;vision for what comes next in nursing&nbsp;leadership and the workforce we are&nbsp;building together. Also This Evening We&#39;ll preview our 2027 leadership and readiness program for emerging professionals in Nursing, STEM, and Public Health Sciences &mdash; the next chapter of The Institute&#39;s work. A Private Reception for Sponsors &amp; HonoreesBeginning at 5:00 PM, sponsors and honorees are invited to a private cocktail reception preceding the program &mdash; an opportunity to meet our scholars, honorees, and invited guests. This reception is among the benefits extended to our sponsors; to learn how to join us, see the sponsorship details below. Sponsorship Partnership opportunities range from our Supporter Circle through our Founders Circle, which carries a named scholarship awarded at the Gala. Sponsor benefits include reserved seating, recognition on our digital Donor Wall, and an invitation to a private VIP reception preceding the program.For sponsorship details, please review our full Sponsorship Prospectus <a fr-original-style="" href="https://institute4equity.org/prospectus/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a>.To commit to a sponsorship, please complete our brief <a fr-original-style="" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhgrbqV9LY_QDGGH68F3dZQ1Wx3hIBFooe-4dYkmzvN_2_Gg/viewform" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Sponsorship Commitment Form</a>. Questions? Reach us at <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:sponsorships@institute4equity.org" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">sponsorships@institute4equity.org</a> or 571-358-8915. Souvenir Journal Prefer to show your support through our commemorative Souvenir Journal? Reserve your ad <a fr-original-style="" href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:8c238fc1-44fe-45f0-9c43-351468578d90" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a> &mdash; a meaningful way to stand with our scholars, with options starting at just $50. Thank YouThis anniversary belongs to everyone who has stood with us. We hope you will join us on September 12 to celebrate a decade of work and to honor the scholars and leaders shaping what comes next.The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A Note on Checkouts: We partner with Zeffy to ensure 100% of your ticket purchase goes directly toward our scholarships and programs. To make this possible, Zeffy will add a suggested, optional tip to your total at checkout to cover their operating costs. This contribution is entirely voluntary and helps keep their platform free for public charities like us. If you prefer not to tip, simply select &quot;Other&quot; from the dropdown menu and change the amount to $0.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; -webkit-user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our event and supporting our cause. Your registration greatly helps our mission.&nbsp; If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer, or talk to your friends about our cause! The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc.info@institute4equity.org

Date: September 12, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM VIP/Sponsor Reception | 5:45 PM General Doors | 6:00 PM Program Location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland, College Park Attire: Black-TieDiscounted reservations are available at the Hotel at the University of Maryland, located on campus, through August 11. <a href="https://reservations.thehotelumd.com/book/dates-of-stay?groupID=5313436" target="_blank">Reserve your room here</a>. The Gratitude Gala is a milestone for The Institute and a celebration of the people who have carried this work forward — the scholars, the educators, the leaders, and the supporters whose investment in the next generation makes everything we do possible. The evening is hosted by Vanessa Tyler, Emmy Award-winning journalist and Senior News Anchor at iHeartMedia. Why We GatherEvery profession that shapes our health begins in the communities that shape us. And communities depend on the educators, mentors, and families who see every student's potential. For a decade, The Institute has invested in students pursuing careers in nursing, STEM, and public health sciences — through scholarships, mentorship, and community — and honored the educators and leaders who prepare them. A healthier future requires a workforce that reflects the world it serves. The Arc of the Evening Opening Keynote  The evening opens with Dr. Marion L. Johnson, whose work on the Apollo 11 mission helped carry humanity to the moon. The Institute's STEM Scholarship bears her name. Honoring Our 2026 Scholar Cohort Our 2026 Scholars are recognized in person — students pursuing careers in Nursing, STEM, and Public Health Sciences, supported through three named scholarships established in 2018:<ul><li>The Marion L. Johnson STEM Scholarship</li><li>The Alana Cueto Nursing Scholarship</li><li>The Gloria Addo-Ayensu Public Service/Public Health Sciences Scholarship</li></ul>Presenting Our Inaugural Signature Awards We celebrate five leaders whose careers exemplify the mission we carry forward:<ul><li>Christine "Chrissy" Thompson, M.Ed. — Catalyst Award — Senior Director of Teaching &amp; Learning at Girls Who Code, honoring her work expanding opportunities for girls in computer science</li><li>Petita Rentz, MS — Cornerstone Award — Professor at the College of Southern Maryland and Secretary of The Institute's Board, honoring her steadfast leadership</li><li>Samantha Spytek, M.Ed. — Vanguard Award — Secondary Science Educator at Academies of Loudoun, honoring her dedication to inspiring the next generation of STEM students</li><li>Dr. Vivienne Pierce McDaniel, DNP, MSN, RN, FADLN, FNAP — Laureate Award — a lifetime achievement honor recognizing decades of nursing leadership, health equity advocacy, and policy champion work</li><li>Dr. Aisha K. Brooks, DNP, MPH, RN, FADLN, FAAN — Founders Award — Former Chief Nurse Officer, U.S. Public Health Service · Founder &amp; CEO, VitalVoice Nursing, honoring a distinguished career in service and leadership</li></ul>Closing Keynote The evening closes with Dr. Sheldon Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP-BC, AACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FADLN, FAAN, 14th National President of the National Black Nurses Association — casting vision for what comes next in nursing leadership and the workforce we are building together. Also This Evening We'll preview our 2027 leadership and readiness program for emerging professionals in Nursing, STEM, and Public Health Sciences — the next chapter of The Institute's work. A Private Reception for Sponsors &amp; HonoreesBeginning at 5:00 PM, sponsors and honorees are invited to a private cocktail reception preceding the program — an opportunity to meet our scholars, honorees, and invited guests. This reception is among the benefits extended to our sponsors; to learn how to join us, see the sponsorship details below. Sponsorship Partnership opportunities range from our Supporter Circle through our Founders Circle, which carries a named scholarship awarded at the Gala. Sponsor benefits include reserved seating, recognition on our digital Donor Wall, and an invitation to a private VIP reception preceding the program.For sponsorship details, please review our full Sponsorship Prospectus <a href="https://institute4equity.org/prospectus/" target="_blank">here</a>.To commit to a sponsorship, please complete our brief <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhgrbqV9LY_QDGGH68F3dZQ1Wx3hIBFooe-4dYkmzvN_2_Gg/viewform" target="_blank">Sponsorship Commitment Form</a>. Questions? Reach us at <a href="mailto:sponsorships@institute4equity.org" target="_blank">sponsorships@institute4equity.org</a> or 571-358-8915. Souvenir Journal Prefer to show your support through our commemorative Souvenir Journal? Reserve your ad <a href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:8c238fc1-44fe-45f0-9c43-351468578d90" target="_blank">here</a> — a meaningful way to stand with our scholars, with options starting at just $50. Thank YouThis anniversary belongs to everyone who has stood with us. We hope you will join us on September 12 to celebrate a decade of work and to honor the scholars and leaders shaping what comes next.The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A Note on Checkouts: We partner with Zeffy to ensure 100% of your ticket purchase goes directly toward our scholarships and programs. To make this possible, Zeffy will add a suggested, optional tip to your total at checkout to cover their operating costs. This contribution is entirely voluntary and helps keep their platform free for public charities like us. If you prefer not to tip, simply select "Other" from the dropdown menu and change the amount to $0.

The Institute For Health And Social Equity

10th Anniversary Gratitude Gala

7801 Alumni Dr

General Admission

$150

Community Table

$1,200

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