REFORM Alliance hosted its second Casino Night Gala at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, which featured an exclusive performance by Grammy-award winning artist The Weeknd in the resort’s Ovation Hall and raised over $20 million for criminal justice reform for the second consecutive event.
Hosted by REFORM Alliance co-chairs and founding partners Michael Rubin, Meek Mill and Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, and emceed by Kevin Hart, the invite-only, black-tie event supported the work of REFORM, which works to transform the nation’s supervision system for the 3.7 million people on probation or parole into one that creates pathways to work and wellbeing, rather than a revolving door back to prison.
VIPs descended upon Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City for the night to hear about the incredible impact REFORM has had on communities since its founding in 2019, including the stories of people impacted by broken probation and parole policies and those who have benefitted from the bipartisan laws REFORM has passed throughout the country.
Upon arrival, guests were treated to glasses of Armand de Brignac, while D’USSÉ Spicy Sidecars and Espresso Martinis were served throughout the evening. As part of the festivities, guests participated in a blackjack tournament at The Gallery Bar Book & Games, dinner program, live auction, and enjoyed a special performance in Ovation Hall from Grammy-award winning artist The Weeknd. REFORM Alliance founding Board Members Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, JAY-Z, Robert Kraft, and Michael Novogratz, as well as REFORM CEO Jessica Jackson were joined by attendees including Beyoncé, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Kevin Hart, Travis Scott, Ice Spice, Machine Gun Kelly, Quavo, DJ Khaled, Latto, Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden, Karl Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods, Emma Roberts, Jaime Foxx, Micah Parsons, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Winnie Harlow, Brooks Nader, Suni Lee, Ashley Graham, Odell Beckham Jr., Regina Daniels, French Montana, Fabolous, Corey Gamble, Yo Gotti, Tiffany Haddish, Tyrese Haliburton, Terrence J., Rashid Johnson, Jared McCain, Grace Ann Nader, Mary Holland Nader, Sarah Jane Nader, Ne-Yo, Michael Porter Jr., Michael Rapino, Taylor Rooks, Camille Fishel, The-Dream, P.J. Tucker, Hans Vestberg, Wallo, and Grant Williams, Chase B, among other A-listers and executives from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and business.
During the dinner program, guests viewed a short video highlighting REFORM Alliance’s nationwide impact, including the passage of 22 bipartisan bills across 12 states that have created pathways for 850,000 people to get off supervision, into work, and back with their families – making us all safer. In Pennsylvania, those reforms limit incarceration for technical violations and ensure people have a clearer pathway off supervision. In Virginia, REFORM’s legislative efforts kept more than 2,000 people from being reincarcerated for first-time technical violations in 2024 alone. Jackson spoke about how the evening’s contributions would support REFORM’s continued push for state and federal reforms and introduced stories of individuals affected by the system. One of the impacted individuals, James Severe, spoke onstage and shared how REFORM’s efforts helped him find his voice and pursue his career goals.
Following the dinner program, guests were able to bid on a variety of unique items including a round of golf with Tom Brady at Michael Jordan’s private Grove XXIII golf club, which raised $1.8 million across two $900,000 winning bids; an exclusive concert from Megan Thee Stallion, which went for $600,000; a 1 of 1 linen George Condo painting, which ended up as the auction’s highest ticket item when Michael Rubin purchased it for his personal collection for $3.4 million; a 1 of 1 painting by Rashid Johnson, titled “Soul Painting for Freedom,” fetching $1.8 million; a KAWS x Audemars Piguet limited edition watch; and finally, an Audemars Piguet timepiece made exclusively for JAY-Z, donated from Mr. Carter’s personal collection.
Following the live auction, guests were treated to a special performance by Grammy-award winning global superstar The Weeknd, who performed a 40-minute set featuring a variety of hits including “Timeless,” “Starboy,” “Blinding Lights,” “The Hills,” and more.
After The Weeknd’s performance, guests headed to Fanatics Sportsbook located within The Gallery Bar Book & Games for an A-List blackjack tournament. Tournament semi-finalists included JAY-Z, Taylor Rooks, French Montana, Tyrese Haliburton, with guest Andrew Ramus ultimately emerging victorious and taking home the $1 million prize. During the course of the tournament, the celebration continued, with event attendees treated to surprise performances by Travis Scott, Ice Spice, Quavo, DJ Khaled, and Chase B.
Less than 0.01% of philanthropic giving is directed toward criminal justice reform – and because all REFORM administrative costs are covered by its board, 100% of the $20 million+ proceeds from the evening will be used for REFORM’s work to provide opportunity and stability to the millions of Americans on supervision and those re-entering community after incarceration, such as: bolstering REFORM’s efforts to change laws, expanding its grassroots operations into more states, supporting the implementation of laws it has already passed, convening job fairs and other efforts to get people from supervision into employment and stability, and supporting community-based organizations.
