Going Places 2026
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Our Going Places annual fundraiser celebrates the talents of our scholars and honors the contributions of our community.
Join us for
Going Places 2026
october 28
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Capital Turnaround
700 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Dress Code
Business/Cocktail Attire
Higher Achievement’s Going Places annual fundraiser celebrates the talents of our scholars and honors the contributions of our community. Our scholars are driven and brilliant, and we have a critical opportunity to scale our proven program to meet them at one of the most pivotal moments of their development. The transition from middle to high school is a pivotal point where targeted support can significantly impact a student’s long-term trajectory. Together, we can reach more students through new high school transition supports that will ensure they get into the high school of their choice and thrive once they arrive.
The evening will begin with a 45-minute scholar-led program featuring alumni speakers who embody what becomes possible with the right support at the right time. Following the program, stay to mingle with others in the Higher Achievement community and enjoy food, drinks, and music.
Join us in celebrating our scholars and be part of investing in their bright futures!
Higher Achievement is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please fill out this form at least two weeks prior to the event.
Purchase a Ticket or Become a Sponsor
Your support ensures students in our community have access to rigorous academic enrichment, social-emotional skill-building, and caring mentors who support their growth.
Honorees
Each of our honorees has played a pivotal role in shaping, strengthening, and sustaining Higher Achievement. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor their contributions.
Bathsheba Philpott
Bathsheba Philpott, CFRE, is president and principal consultant of Fundraising Guru Consulting LLC, where she partners with nonprofit organizations to strengthen fundraising strategy, build philanthropic partnerships, and expand their impact. With more than 20 years of experience in advancement, she has helped organizations design development strategies and secure transformational philanthropic support. Bathsheba’s connection to Higher Achievement is deeply personal. As a former Higher Achievement scholar and later a mentor in Ward 4, she experienced firsthand how the program builds confidence, academic strength, and leadership in young people—creating pathways of opportunity that can shape a lifetime.
Charlie Mullin
Charlie Mullin is a PhD economist at Bates White who has researched child development in socio-economically challenged communities. When a colleague introduced him to Higher Achievement two decades ago, it was a perfect fit. Charlie was struck by the combination of academics, social mentorship, and leadership skills that level the playing field for scholars, enabling them to graduate college at three-times the rate of their peers. Charlie is a long-standing champion of our Bates White partnership for volunteers and career exposure. In addition, he is a landmark supporter of our endowment, a fiduciary board member, and an advisor on Higher Achievement’s financial strategy.
Stacy Fields Dranginis
Stacy Dranginis grew up in Prince George’s County and attended Duke University, where she volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, establishing for her the importance and impact of mentorship. Her twenty-year involvement with Higher Achievement spans service on the President’s Council, the 50th Anniversary Committee, and, currently, the DC Metro Advisory Board. Her most rewarding role has been as a mentor at the newly opened Greenbelt Center in 2019, allowing her to witness firsthand the dedication of the extraordinary staff, the academic and personal growth of the scholars, and the magic that happens there.
Recognitions
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Valedictorian
Anonymous
Bates White Economic Consulting
Eric and Miranda Gaier
Fahringer Foundation
The Kenneth and Constance Hess Fund
Nolan Stokes and Kathy Harman-Stokes
Rick and Diana England
PwC
Stacy and Dan Dranginis
Salutatorian
Bender Foundation
David DeRamus and Rosemary Regis
DLA Piper LLP
Rachel and Cory Capps
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Summa Cum Laude
Anonymous
Carolyn and Bill Wolfe
Jay and Nancy Epstien
Lucas Kaempfer Foundation
Matthew Zaft
Page and John Imperial
Rockrose
Velsor Properties, LLC
Magna Cum Laude
American Real Estate Partners
Barrington Residential
Bernstein Management Corporation
Christine and Jonathan Terrell Family Foundation
Colliers International
Cooper Carry, Inc.
Deborah Harmon, Co-Founder of Artemis Real Estate Partners
EvensonBest
Greg McCavera
Greystar
HITT
The Hull Family
Magdieli Property Management LLC
Mary and Jeff Zients
Melanie Nussdorf
Mitchell Schear & Leane Brenes
rand* construction
Ratner Family Foundation
Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation
The Small, Gewirz, and Kaplan Families
Studio Alliance
Cum Laude
Anonymous
Blake Real Estate
Bozzuto
Brown & Brown Insurance Services
BXP
Clune Construction
Colonial Parking / The Forge Company
DAVIS Construction
FMS
Gary and Liz Thompson
George Rozanski
Granite Canyon Partners
HALCON Furniture
Hether Smith
Joseph and Claudia Saka
Kevin Shooshan
Lawley
Pizzano Contractors
Robyn and Bill Collins
Shooshan Company
VVA Drees & Sommer
Wendy Feldman Block and Eben Block
Womble Bond Dickinson LLP
WSP
Honor Roll
Bearfoot Ventures
Bialek
David Lipson and Ellen Jakovic
Diana Peacock and John Benjamin
Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi
Dotty and Jim Dake
Ethan and Jude Landis
Founders Bank
HCM
Richard and Rochelle Manning
Rushmark Properties
Sara Adland
Scarcella Family
Shulman Rogers
Laura and Keith Hoffman
Margie Yeager
McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc.
MedStar
MOI
MV+A Architects
Nicole Greenblatt
OTJ Architects
Wilkes Artis Chartered
Committee
Committee
Co-Chair: George Vogelei, CBRE
Co-Chair: Greg Weber, Studio Alliance
Jeb Byrne, Bearfoot Ventures
Janice Cori, Higher Achievement
Jay Epstien, DLA Piper
Wendy Feldman Block, Savills
Galina Ginzburg, MillerKnoll
Matt Johnston, Colliers
Amit Luthra, Barrington Residential
Henry Ross, First Form
Malcolm Shaw, Bellwether Enterprise
Steve Owens, Pizzano Contractors
Lynsey Wood Jeffries, Higher Achievement
Host Committee
James Morgan, Higher Achievement
Katherine Roboff (co-chair)
MaryEva Candon
Kedisha Ebanks
Kirstin Hall
Lourdes Laguna
Jack Memolo
Makenzi Sumners
Speakers
Jacob, Scholar Emcee
Jacob is a native Washingtonian from Southeast DC and an honor roll student at Eliot-Hine Middle School, where he is currently in the 8th grade. A dedicated student-athlete, he plays on his school’s basketball team and sharpens his skills every weekend at a Saturday mentor and basketball academy. His commitment to the academy goes beyond the court. He actively supports community outreach efforts, including holiday turkey giveaways and back-to-school backpack drives. In addition to his love for basketball, Jacob enjoys photography, painting, fashion, and spending time in nature. He loves exploring new cuisines and spending time with his family. Despite battling health challenges, Jacob has never let adversity stand in his way. His determination and resilience continue to fuel his success both on and off the court. With goals as big as his heart, Jacob aspires to play professional basketball and/or pursue a career in Computer Science, while making a positive impact in his community.
Sebastian, Scholar Emcee
Sebastian is 13 years old and in the 8th-grade at Eliot-Hine Middle School. His favorite subjects are Art and English. When he grow up, Sebastian wants to become an entrepreneur and start his own business. Sebastian enjoys playing sports, spending time in nature, and being with his family. He would describe himself as a very positive person who tries to look on the bright side. Sebastian is also very competitive when he plays sports, especially swimming and baseball. Sebastian always tries his best and enjoys challenging himself to become better.
Shirah Moffat-Darko, Keynote Speaker
Shirah Moffatt-Darko is a Higher Achievement alumna (class of 2010), a daughter of immigrants, and a first-generation college student. As an uptown DC native, she is passionate about improving education for our children, particularly our children who are usually institutionally neglected and excluded. She currently teaches 5th-grade Math in DCPS and has previously taught 4th-grade social studies and science, 4th-grade math, and 5th-grade Math and ELA ESOL. She is in her 8th- year teaching.
FAQ’s about Going Places 2026
Business/cocktail attire.
Take the Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark and walk 10 minutes east on M Street or take the Blue, Orange or Silver Lines to the Eastern Market station and walk 11 minutes south along 7th Street.
There are also several bus stops close to the event space.
Paid parking is available at several nearby lots and there will be complimentary valet parking at the 7th St. entrance to the venue.
Going Places will include simultaneous Spanish interpretation of the program, gender-neutral restrooms, and stairless access to the theatre and event space.