![Two women in formal dresses smile for the camera in front of a large block lettering reading "NAZ"](/sites/default/files/styles/ct_/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-013.jpg?h=1b39fe05&itok=RliL5nhe)
Thanks to those of you who were able to join us at our third-annual SOARNORTH Gala. The evening was a success in every way, and the Northside Achievement Zone is grateful for the generous support from donors like YOU! We were deeply moved by the palpable energy throughout the room, radiating hope and profound generosity for our scholars as they rocket their dreams into orbit, SOAR-ing amongst the stars.
This annual event continues to demonstrate our shared commitment to building a more equitable Minneapolis, where ALL children have the chance to live a choice-filled life. SOARNORTH is a celebration, but it's so much more than that. It's about making memories and coming together as one community because of our shared belief that our children were born to shine.
As this year’s honorary chair, the Carlson Family Foundation received recognition for their longstanding philanthropic leadership across the Northside. Their belief that every child needs a caring, supportive adult mentor to realize dreams resonates through NAZ and our partner organization’s work each and every day. We are proud to walk alongside them, and as the Carlson Credo aptly declares, "Never, ever give up."
Capping off the celebratory affair, musical icons Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight brought down the house with a double-headliner concert, sending attendees home on a high note of joy and soul-stirring empowerment.
Thank you again for joining us, for your partnership, and for continuing to be here for Northside scholars and their families as they ascend to SOAR-ing new heights!
P.S. Whether toasting our families during the cocktail hour or busting a move on the dance floor, our photographers captured it all. To help remember the night, click the following links to see snapshots from the step-and-repeat, photo booth, and general photos on our Facebook page.
![Choir onstage near a screen reading "Born to Shine"](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-001.jpg?itok=r8Eg1ZVn)
![A small group of young children sing.](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-002_0.jpg?itok=lXpsnDGb)
![Woman stands at a microphone.](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-009.jpg?itok=oEFBLfRB)
![A group of dancers onstage](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-013_0.jpg?itok=KplUbPo7)
![A young girl smiles at the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-012.jpg?itok=Zfn6uH-C)
![A choir sings, led by a director](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-010.jpg?itok=mnDR1QFT)
![A woman stands next to a child, holding her hand](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-011.jpg?itok=UEOASFyD)
![Two people engaged in conversation](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-015.jpg?itok=MoMuQ9zw)
![Mother and daughter hug each other with tears in their eyes.](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-002.jpg?itok=_u0Y-mZ3)
![Three people engaged in conversation](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-016.jpg?itok=eCyyaK3H)
![A woman stands at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-017.jpg?itok=P91H595y)
![Three screens showing the image of a woman at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-019.jpg?itok=mRAHnMsi)
![Two women at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-022.jpg?itok=YfvpZVsA)
![Two people, a man and woman, stand at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-024.jpg?itok=F48HwAmu)
![A man stands at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-025.jpg?itok=tIjoonJz)
![A man stands at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-027.jpg?itok=qciZxHu5)
![Five men pose for a photo in front of a step-and-repeat banner](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-028.jpg?itok=pRGDKMw4)
![A man stands in front of a large group, reading off a notecard with a microphone in hand](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-032.jpg?itok=-4JTfJzg)
![A woman, surrounded by others, smiles at something in front of her](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-033.jpg?itok=j68auNL6)
![A man wearing a hat dances, hand in air and hand on hip](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-044.jpg?itok=BcAR5i6H)
![A man and woman hug](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-041_0.jpg?itok=TzFdjQZh)
![A man and woman stand next to each other, posing for the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-040.jpg?itok=-t5_lrml)
![A chorus director stands in front of a smiling group of young people, microphone in hand](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-037.jpg?itok=JCXz8yJQ)
![A large room full of tables, lit purple and pink, with three different screens with "Born to Shine" on them](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-047_0.jpg?itok=Hh5M2uvZ)
![A group of people auctioning](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_image_gallery/public/2024-05/NAZ%20SOARNORTH%204-20-24-036.jpg?itok=EbsKNXeI)