The 2026 Gala
The SDARJ 10th Anniversary Gala will be a celebration of a decade of work advancing racial justice, equality, and fair opportunity across Sussex County and beyond.
The evening will feature remarks from Delaware’s leading elected officials and local business leaders, live music and entertainment, a silent auction, and a formal program celebrating SDARJ’s accomplishments over ten years. Special guests include speakers who will congratulate the organization and share their support for its continued mission.
“Ten years ago, a small study group came together around The New Jim Crow, and that spark ignited a movement,” said Charlotte King, SDARJ Board Chair. “Today, we stand proud of what we’ve accomplished—from scholarship programs to policy advocacy to cultural change. This gala honors not just our past, but our commitment to the next decade of work.”
SDARJ was founded in June 2015 by Charlotte King and Jo Klinge, with support from the Delaware Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow. The organization has grown to become a leading voice for criminal justice reform and racial equity in Delaware, operating multiple committees, hosting community town halls, sponsoring scholarships for Black and African American students through the Charlotte King Scholarship Program, and providing support for returning citizens.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Kings Creek Country Club, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire
Ticket & Sponsorship Information
Individual Tickets: $135 per person
(This is SDARJ’s third annual gala; the previous two events sold out. Early registration is encouraged.)
Sponsorship Levels:
- Diamond Sponsor: $10,000
- Platinum Sponsor: $6,000
- Gold Sponsor: $4,000
- Silver Sponsor: $2,000
- Bronze Sponsor: $1,000
Sponsor the Gala
To sponsor the 2026 Gala please complete the form below or mail your check to P.O. Box 306, Lewes, DE 19958 make payable to Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. Include your organization’s name. address, phone, and email to receive your invoice.
All sponsors will have their name/logo on the SDARJ webpage, press releases and social media. Sponsor names and logos will appear in a full page “Thank You” ad after the event in the Cape Gazette. Sponsor Deadline: 10/10/2025.
- You can also mail your check to P.O. Box 306, Lewes, DE 19958 make payable to Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. Include your organization’s name. address, phone, and email to receive your invoice.
- To submit artwork please complete this form.
Sponsorship Levels
Diamond Sponsor $10,000
10 Seats at the Gala
Front Inside cover Gala Program
Formal recognition at the event
Platinum Sponsor $6,000
6 Seats at the Gala
Back Cover Gala Program
Formal recognition at the Gala
Gold Sponsor $4,000
4 Seats at the Gala
Full page ad in the Gala program
Formal recognition at the Gala
Silver Sponsor $2,000
2 Seats at the Gala
Full page ad in the Gala program
Formal recognition at the Gala
Bronze Sponsor $1,000
½ page ad in the program
Formal recognition in the Gala program
Supporter Sponsorship $500
¼ page ad in the Gala program
Congratulations Listing $250
Listing as part of the congratulations page in program
You can also “make a difference” by directly donating to these SDARJ programs.
- High School Senior Scholarships: We plan to increase the number of scholarships we give to at least 10 scholarships per year at $1500 each.
- Black Voices Magazine we publish four times a year and hope to expand to six ($7500 per edition)
- Academic Recognition: We want to increase the number of students we recognize to at least 25 students per year ($100 per student)
- SDARJ Book and Film Club we plan to add screenings at the Cinema Arts Theater ($1000)
- Dialogue Toward Ending Racism (“safe space to talk” multi-week seminars) we plan to add two bus trips to our curriculum at $1800 each.
Your sponsorship helps fund:
- Scholarships for high school seniors
- Academic Achievement Awards for high achieving African American youth
- Delaware’s only Black newsmagazine, Black Voices
- Free Dialogue Toward Ending Racism- a 6 week seminars to educate citizens about how to fight racism
- Community Town Halls on racial justice issues
- Ongoing legislative advocacy on issues such as voting rights
- Programs to help returning citizens and to reduce recidivism
