Rooted. Rising. Reimagined. The ExceptionAL Project Turns 10!

Join us at the world-renowned Schomburg Center as we mark ten years of amplifying the beauty, brilliance and humanity of Black men and boys!
About this Event

Rooted. Rising. Reimagined.

Ten years ago, The ExceptionAL Project launched with a bold and necessary vision: to amplify the beauty, brilliance, and humanity of Black men and boys.

On Thursday, August 13, 2026, we will gather at the world-renowned Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem to celebrate a decade of storytelling, community building, possibility raising, and narrative change.

This 10th Anniversary Celebration will honor leaders whose lives and work reflect the spirit of The ExceptionAL Project — men who mentor, build, educate, advocate, create, lead, and love across generations.

OUR HONOREES

-Alphonso “Mayo” Mayo, Mentoring Champion

-Jeremey Miller, Entrepreneurship Champion

-Khalil "Army" Armstead, Juvenile Justice Champion

-Dr. Malik A. Small, Education Champion

-Ron Walker, Living Your Legacy Champion

-Shawn Dove, Philanthropy Champion

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

-Dr. Brandon Foster

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

-Dr. Jamaal Bowman – Your forever congressman

CREATIVE EXPRESSION ARTISTS
-Dr. Jack Drummond, Violinist

-Dr. Shahara C. Jackson, Songstress

-Shirley Touzin, Poet & Spoken Word Phenom

Come celebrate with us as we honor our roots, rise to meet this moment, and reimagine what becomes possible when Black men and boys are fully seen, deeply loved, and powerfully supported!