Our Upcoming Events

6th Annual Benefit Gala

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Our Past Events

AIS hosts events to raise awareness of stuttering as well as to honor leaders who support people who stutter.

Our Galas: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

5th Annual Benefit Gala

Gala Co-Chairs Michael and Riki Sheehan, Honoree Arthur M. Blank, special guest Matt Austin, Mistress of Ceremonies Emily Blunt

The 5th Annual Benefit Gala was another spectacular celebration of people who stutter. Featuring speeches by our clients and two distinguished honorees, the evening buzzed with hope, courage, and humor.

Emily Blunt, an AIS Board member, reprised her role as Mistress of Ceremonies. She opened the program following a greeting by Sander Flaum, Chairman of the AIS Board of Directors. The audience was welcomed also by a video address from Vice President Joe Biden, an honoree from the 2008 gala.

Gala Co-Chairs Michael and Riki Sheehan presented the evening’s first honoree, Arthur M. Blank, cofounder of Home Depot and owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. Before his keynote, Arthur was introduced to Matt Austin, a Home Depot employee and a person who stutters.

In a message to AIS, Matt explained that after being hired, he worried that his stutter would cost him the job. His life turned around when a store manager encouraged him: “Arthur, co-founder of our great company, stuttered, too. Take your time.” Matt was deeply inspired by Arthur’s journey of overcoming his stutter, and he is now a store manager.

Arthur delivered a moving keynote about growing up with a stutter. He recalled that in college, he volunteered to answer questions in class even if he hadn’t been called upon. “It was a little self-punishment," he explained. "Maybe it was defiance, maybe it was refusing to be throttled by a disorder."

Our clients then took the stage to share their experiences with stuttering and receiving therapy at AIS.

Violet Fearon advised the audience on how to live with a stutter: “If you accept it – not give up, just accept it – you can fit it into your daily life, learn strategies to manage it, and eventually live your life exactly as you would without it.”

Lily Taylor expressed the change inside of her that was brought about by therapy at AIS: “I’m so proud of myself. Now, I feel confident to speak in front of anyone.”

Shawn Fleischmann revealed just how far he had come over the past two years: “The first time I called a restaurant to ask how late they were open, I nearly passed out.”

Jeffrey Cepler declared that he feels more equipped to face stuttering than ever before: “I now have the tools to express my ideas, clearly introduce myself – hopefully on the first try – tell my wife she is right, read to my son, and have the confidence to come here and talk to you this evening.”

In a repeat performance from last year, AIS Board member Barry Blaustein led the auction for treatment scholarships. He certainly outdid himself; this year’s scholarship auction raised more money than any of our previous galas!

AIS Board member Sir Harold Evans introduced our second honoree, Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth, who was unable to attend. Via video, Colin shared how portraying King George VI of England in The King’s Speech opened his eyes to the lives of those who stutter. “I stopped focusing on it as a problem, and I found myself overwhelmed by the dignity and the sheer heroism of those who are engaged in this struggle,” he said.

We would like to thank a multitude of friends for making the event a smashing success! Enjoy the following articles, video, and photos from our memorable 5th Annual Benefit Gala.

ARTICLES

• The Daily Beast – A Star-Studded Gala for Stuttering
• New York Magazine – Emily Blunt on How She Overcame Her Stutter
• Wall Street Journal – Stuttering Organization Holds Annual Gala
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Blank Honored by the American Institute for Stuttering
• Gather.com – Colin Firth honored by American Institute for Stuttering
• AtlantaFalcons.com – Blank Honored by American Institute for Stuttering
• InStyle.com – Emily Blunt and John Krasinski pose for the cameras
• People.com – Celebrity Sightings
• New York Social Diary – Spring Galas and Soirees
• People Magazine – Emily Blunt in StyleWatch

VIDEO

A summary video of the gala.

Colin Firth’s video address as aired at the gala.

Vice-President Joe Biden‘s video address as aired at the gala.

PHOTOS

Click below to view a slideshow of the gala on Flickr.

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4th Annual Benefit Gala

Our annual benefit galas are always special nights. However, the 4th Annual Freeing Voices, Changing Lives gala, held June 7, 2010 at Tribeca Rooftop, was truly unforgettable.

Less than two weeks earlier, AIS Founder and Executive Director Catherine Montgomery passed away after an extended fight against cancer. The gala would recognize not only our distinguished honorees and client speakers, but the heart of AIS, Catherine. The evening opened with a touching slideshow tribute to her.

The night's emcee, beloved British actress Emily Blunt, welcomed the audience for the evening and set the stage for the honorees. She herself was an honoree at the 2009 gala.

Honorees Clarence Page and Michael Sheehan

Award-winning journalist and columnist Clarence Page was the first of the night to be honored with the Freeing Voices, Changing Lives award for great achievements as a person who stutters. He was warmly introduced by author and publisher Sir Harold Evans. About the award, Clarence said, "This is not an award for me, but it's really a symbol for so many of us for just being able to overcome."

The next honoree was leading communications strategist and trainer Michael Sheehan. Michael is also a member of the AIS Board of Directors. He was introduced by two of his good friends, George Stephanopoulos and, via video, former President Bill Clinton. On the successes of people who stutter, Michael shared, "We all didn't get where we are now in spite of our stuttering. I think we got here in part because of it."

Our clients, the highlight of every gala, followed our first two honorees.

AIS client Isa Skibeli and her mother Clora Kelly

Isa Skibeli shared about her experiences at AIS and working with Chamonix Sikora (née Olsen). "Now that she has helped me, I could be an actress if I wanted to be. She is amazing!" exuded Isa. Isa's mother spoke briefly Clora Kelly to provide a parent's perspective.

AIS clients Joel Viera and Dr. Zhanna Livshits

Joel Viera talked about his outlook on life after attending AIS. He shared, "I think of me going through high school and college just fine, without any problems."

Dr. Zhanna Livshits told of how AIS helped her to speak freely. "I hear my voice and I like the way it sounds for the first time since I was a child," she said.

Gala Co-Chair Tina Brown, Emcee Emily Blunt, and Honoree Harvey Keitel

Journalist and editor Tina Brown welcomed the final honoree, veteran actor Harvey Keitel. On stuttering in his childhood, Harvey told the audience, "I could only imagine what life could have been like had there been a place like AIS when I was a boy."

We would like to thank Tina Brown and Sir Harold Evans for serving as Co-Chairs for the gala, the honorees and clients for sharing their hearts, all in attendance for celebrating with us, and all who supported the gala through their generous contributions.

Finally, we are forever grateful to Catherine for her vision and spirit, which were so alive during the night and will continue to shine through AIS.

2010 Gala media

• The slideshow tribute to Catherine Montgomery on YouTube.
• Photos of the gala on Flickr.
• Clarence Page wrote on stuttering and his experience as an honoree at the gala for The Chicago Tribune.
• Emily Blunt talked about stuttering and how acting helped her work through the struggles with The Daily Beast.
• Former President Bill Clinton's introduction of Michael Sheehan on YouTube.

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3rd Annual Benefit Gala

June 8, 2009 was another landmark night as our 3rd Annual Benefit Gala was a smashing success. Returning to Tribeca Rooftop, we honored Joe Moglia, Chairman of TD Ameritrade, and beloved British actress Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning, The Young Victoria) with the Freeing Voices, Changing Lives Award. The evening was hosted by our good friend Sam Waterston (Law and Order). Susan Glessner and Seth H. Waugh, CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas, served as Co-Chairs for the gala.

Emcee Sam Waterston and Special Guest Barbara Walters

Special guest Barbara Walters talked about how her late sister Jackie, a stutterer, was the inspiration behind her memoir Audition. She stated, "Today, with this organization, my sister would have had a very, very different life."

Honorees Emily Blunt and Joe Moglia

Both Joe and Emily gave inspiring speeches about how they dealt with their stuttering and achieved success in their life goals. Joe was engaging and motivating as would befit the former football coach. Emily was elegant and uplifting as you would expect from the award-winning actress. We are thankful for their support and friendship.

AIS clients Jodriann Lumabao and Joseph Farley

AIS clients Kieran Coyne and Derek Wood

Like last year, our clients stole the show. Jodriann Lumabao, Joe Farley, Kieran Coyne, and Derek Wood touched our crowd as they each talked about their struggles with stuttering and what their time with AIS has done for them. Kieran's mom Laureen shared her thoughts on Kieran's experiences here as well.

Musician "Mojo" Myles Mancuso

We were honored to have blues guitar prodigy "Mojo" Myles Mancuso and his band provide the evening's entertainment. Only 14 years old, Myles is a rising star in the blues world and a fellow "stutter-buddy."

Our blog features pictures and video from the unforgettable night. It will surely stand as our best ever gala. At least until next year.

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2nd Annual Benefit Gala

AIS Hosts the Vice President!

Held at New York’s downtown Tribeca Rooftop, the Benefit Gala Under the Stars on June 3, 2008 was a wonderful night! CBS News' Byron Pitts (60 Minutes), who has also dealt with stuttering, presented the Freeing Voices, Changing Lives Award to the 2008 Honorees, Anthony C. Hooper, President of US Pharmaceuticals for Bristol Meyers-Squibb and then-Senator Joe Biden.

Emcee Byron Pitts and Honorees Joe Biden and Anthony Hooper

We're also very proud of how Vice President Joe Biden spoke so openly about his own stuttering during the 2008 campaign and the positive attention he continues to bring to a largely misunderstood disorder. He gave an unforgettable and inspirational speech which you can watch. The 5-minute highlight video of the Gala is also available on YouTube.

Then-Senator Joe Biden

While Joe Biden was inspirational, we think that even he would say that the 3 young men, ages 8 to 11 were even more so. Ray Demintz, Will Esseks, and Junior Yupa all courageously stood in front of the audience of 250 people and spoke about their stuttering and how AIS has helped them as did our ‘older’ client representative Char Glessner. Char’s Mom was also on hand and spoke from the parent’s perspective.

Ray Demnitz, Will Esseks, Junior Yupa

Susie and Char Glessner

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Inaugural Benefit Gala

On June 10, 2007 AIS launched its Inaugural Benefit Gala on board the magnificent Queen Mary 2 ship. CBS News Anchor Katie Couric hosted the event and presented the Freeing Voices, Changing Lives awards to our Honorees. Receiving the awards were singer/songwriter Carly Simon, author, Dominick Dunne, NBA All-Star, Kenyon Martin and fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, all whose outstanding achievements are well known and who all have personally dealt with stuttering.

Katie Couric, Jim Manley, Jake Steinfeld, Tina Brown, Catherine Montgomery, Kenyon Martin, Sir Harry Evans, Carly Simon, and QM 2 Captain Chris Rynd.

The award is in the form of a blue crystal iceberg. One of our field’s pioneer, the late Dr.Joseph Sheehan originated the iceberg as the perfect metaphor for stuttering; that what one observes of stuttering is just the tip of the iceberg and that there can be so very much pain and suffering going on beneath the surface that the uninformed observer simply does not see or understand. Our Galas not only serve to raise much needed funds, they also provide great opportunity to raise public awareness of this disorder which is still so terribly misunderstood.

You can view the gala video on YouTube and gala photos at New York Cool.

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NBA Star and AIS Board Member Kenyon Martin Hosts Event for AIS Kids and Teens

We are very pleased and honored that Denver Nuggets star Kenyon Martin (aka “K Mart”) is a member of our Board of Directors of the American Institute for Stuttering. Kenyon has personally dealt with stuttering and has generously stepped forward to join in our effort to raise public awareness about stuttering. Kenyon kicked it off by hosting a “Meet & Greet” event at the NBA Store in Manhattan.

Our AIS kids and teens were invited to the store’s "Center Court" to meet the basketball star. After chowing down on snacks, shooting some hoops and playing video games, the kids and parents were seated in the bleacher section to await the arrival of the big guy. Kenyon spoke about his own stuttering as he encouraged the kids to be proud of themselves, not to let their stuttering hold them back and then opened it up for questions. The kids’ questions ranged from "Did you ever get help for your speech?" (“Not really much”) or "Was it hard for you to talk to girls?" (“Yup”) to What kind of car do you drive?! (He has two and one of them is a Rolls Royce). He was warm, easy going and charming with the kids and they loved him. We were so proud of our kids and teens who jumped in to ask questions in what we hoped would be a stutter-friendly environment, in spite of the fact that there was quite a crowd and lots of media!

The kids all received a goody bag including a Reebok t-shirt provided by Kenyon that read in the Denver Nuggets blue & yellow: KENYON’S KIDS! They all had a chance to meet him, have a photo taken and get an autograph or two. On the following day, we were all treated as his guests at the Denver Nuggets-New Jersey Nets game. This will truly be something they will remember for the rest of their lives. All in all, a great weekend with lots of gratitude to Kenyon! What a wonderful gift he gave!

Kenyon Martin with AIS kids and teens

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American Institute for Stuttering
27 W 20th St. Suite 1203
New York, NY 10011

phone: (212) 633-6400
fax: (212) 220-3922

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