Miami’s philanthropic scene headed into the woods for a magical night with a mission at @branchesfl ’s annual Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala. ✨
On May 2, more than 650 philanthropists, business leaders, and community supporters gathered at the @jwmarriottmarquismiami for an Enchanted Forest-themed evening benefiting Branches, a nonprofit that has spent more than 50 years helping Miami families build brighter futures. The gala — the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year — featured live entertainment, cocktails, dinner, dancing, and an auction, all in support of programs serving more than 15,000 South Florida residents annually.
This year, Branches raised over $1.08 million, making history with its first million-dollar gala! Funds raised directly support after-school enrichment, tutoring, college readiness programs, financial coaching, tax preparation, and micro-business support for families across Miami-Dade.
The evening also honored Dr. Jose L. Dotres with the Trish and Dan Bell Community Empowerment Award, recognizing his impact on students and families throughout South Florida.
Think the fun ended after the Gala? Think again 👀✨
Our Black Tie & Blue Jeans Online Auction is BACK ON, and there are incredible items waiting for you to snag before they’re gone! 💚
From a private soirée aboard a luxury mega yacht 🛥️ to exclusive memorabilia, laser treatments, dance classes, and so much more… there’s something for everyone!
The best part? Every bid helps support Branches’ mission to empower local families with life-changing opportunities through education, financial wellness, and family services.
So go ahead, treat yourself while making a difference in the lives of families right here in our community 💫. Online Auction ends Friday, May 22nd.
LINK in BIO to bid!!!
Please join us in congratulating Sarah Reilly, Director of Development at Branches, for being recognized with the Mission Mover Award at the Game Changer Awards during IGNITE! hosted by @philanthropymiami 💚✨.
This incredible honor celebrates leaders who are strengthening the nonprofit and philanthropy sector through collaboration, leadership, and meaningful impact across our community. Sarah’s passion for our mission and her ability to build genuine relationships with donors and partners in order to achieve Branches’ goals and serve this community is simply beautiful.
Sarah is an exemplary development professional and we are so grateful to her for her hard work and dedication. We are proud to see her recognized among South Florida’s changemakers at IGNITE!, a gathering of leaders committed to the power of collective impact and community transformation.
And a big thank you to @amazon for surprising Sarah with a generous gift card to support her in her leadership journey!!! Congratulations, Sarah!!! 👏💚.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Gala Committee for the passion, creativity, and dedication you poured into this year’s Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala 💚.
Your time, energy, and commitment helped create an unforgettable evening in support of local families and our mission at Branches. From planning every detail to bringing the magic to life, this event would not have been possible without each of you.
Thank you for serving, supporting, and believing in the work we do every day, and a special thank you to Leah & Phillip Sylvester for serving as this year’s Gala Chairs! ✨
Erbi Blanco True
Jorge Borges
Maria Comellas
Noel Daluise
Desiree Fernandez
Isabel Fernandez
Kayla Hernandez
Raluca Kotowski
Blanca Langer
Carl Lee
Lina Lopez
Angeliki Marakas
Cristina Miller
Lucy Núñez
Audrey Otero
Karla Richey
Nidia Ruiz
Hanai Sablich
Melanie Sanchez
David Smith
Tara Templeton
TJ Villamil
Rev. Dr. Audrey Warren
Miguel’s story is one of hope, resilience, and full-circle impact 💚✨.
At this year’s Branches Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala, we had the incredible honor of sharing the journey of one of our very first alumni, Miguel, who graduated from Branches Florida City in 2003 🎓.
As a young boy, Miguel carried a quiet dream: to one day give back to Branches 💭 What began as a simple idea to gift a van grew into something even more meaningful, a $45,000 donation that funded a brand-new shade system for the children’s playground at Branches Florida City ☀️🏡.
Miguel’s gift goes far beyond generosity, it reflects a life shaped by perseverance, purpose, and heart 💚 Watching our students grow and thrive after their time at Branches is powerful, but seeing them return to give back in such a meaningful way is truly unforgettable 🙌.
We invite you to watch Miguel’s story… and hope he inspires you as he has inspired us 🎥.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible mothers who do so much for their families 💐.
Today, we celebrate your hard work, your sleepless nights, and the unconditional love you give every single day ✨. Your strength, care, and dedication inspire us more than words can say.
We honor you today and always 💚!
Thank you to the Ocean Reef Community Foundation (@heartofoceanreef ) for your unwavering support 💚 We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to the Grow & Climb programs at Branches Florida City.
Your generous investment allows us to continue inspiring a love of learning 📚, strengthening financial education and confidence 💵, equipping students for lifelong success 🌟, and preparing them to pursue post-secondary education 🎓.
We deeply appreciate your partnership and the impact you make possible 💚.
We still can’t get over this magical night ✨🧚♀️ This was our most memorable gala yet! Thanks to YOU, Branches celebrated its FIRST ever Million Dollar Gala 💚. We are truly in awe of the generosity shown. You’re not just supporting an organization, you’re helping thousands of families build brighter futures🌙.
From stunning looks to unforgettable moments, the evening was pure enchantment. Guests showed up ready to impress for the best dressed contest 💃🕺 and danced the night away in a whimsical, forest-inspired wonderland 🌿✨.
We were honored to have Trish and Dan Bell serve as our Philanthropic Chairs, and Leah and Phillip Sylvester as our Gala Chairs. The evening also celebrated Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, who received the 2026 Trish and Dan Bell Community Empowerment Award for his leadership and commitment to expanding opportunities for students and families across our community 🌟.
A heartfelt thank you to Laurie Jennings for serving as the Evening’s Enchantress ✨ and to every guest who supported our mission to partner with families in South Florida🥹🤩.
THANK YOU so much to Trish & Dan Bell for hosting our yearly Senior Dinner. We are so grateful for your support!!!
We are incredibly proud of our graduating seniors, many of whom are the first in their families to graduate and pursue a post-secondary education 🙌 This milestone represents years of hard work, determination, and resilience.
In 2025, 100% of Branches students pursued a post-secondary education 📚 At Branches, we are committed to equipping students with the financial knowledge they need to make informed decisions for their future 💡 Thanks to the support of partners like the Bells, 73% of Branches college students graduate debt-free, and 27% graduate with less than $3,200 in debt 💚
Congratulations to all of the students who received the Climb Higher Scholarship 🎉 We can’t wait to see all that the new school year has in store for you!
Our Climb students were put to the test with @wellsfargo ’s “Hands on Banking” Simulation 💼💡, and they walked away with valuable, real-world financial knowledge!
Students stepped into different roles with assigned careers, incomes, and family situations, making it all feel very real 👀 From budgeting for groceries 🛒 to managing housing, expenses, and everything in between, they had to navigate the true cost of “adulting” using their unique financial profiles.
Thank you, Wells Fargo, for creating such an engaging and impactful experience for our students. Not only was it fun, but it gave them a hands-on look at what budgeting and financial decision-making really involves, and the confidence to put those skills into practice.
#HappyNationalSmallBusinessWeek 🎉💼 In celebration of our small business community, we’re excited to spotlight our valued partner, @jpmorganchase ! 🌟
Branches is proud to announce a $500,000 grant from JPMorganChase to expand our Micro-Business Program, supporting more than 300 micro and small businesses across Miami-Dade County with access to technology 💻, training 📚, and mentorship 🤝.
This two-year grant, part of JPMorganChase’s support for Momentum Miami, will fund a cohort-based initiative to help local entrepreneurs adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
“This investment from JPMorganChase is a powerful vote of confidence for Miami’s small business community,” said Brent McLaughlin, President & CEO of Branches. “By combining technology access, practical training, and hands-on mentorship, we’re helping entrepreneurs build the digital capacity they need to compete, adapt, and thrive.”
Thank you for supporting our mission 💚 and helping create a brighter future ✨ for families and small business owners in our community. 🏡📈
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 40% of adults in the United States have experienced financial scams in the past year, and 3 out of 4 adults report they have been targeted by scam or fraud attempts.
If you’ve been impacted by a scam it’s important to act quickly—taking early steps can help protect your accounts and limit potential damage. Check out these FTC resources for more information: identitytheft.gov & reportfraud.ftc.gov #FinancialCapabilityMonth
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Según la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC), el 40% de los adultos en los Estados Unidos han afrontado fraudes financieros en el último año, y 3 de cada 4 adultos reportan haber sido blanco de intentos de estafa o fraude.
Si ha sido afectado por un fraude, es importante actuar rápidamente — debe tomar medidas a tiempo puede ayudar a proteger sus cuentas y limitar los posibles daños. Consulte estos recursos de la FTC para obtener más información: identitytheft.gov & reportfraud.ftc.gov #MesDeCapacidadFinanciera
