A Night That Refused to Whisper
LOUDER! was never meant to be quiet.
Hosted by activist and visionary Leon Ford and held inside the elegant ballroom at Rivers Casino, this year’s LOUDER! Gala became something more than a fundraiser. It became a declaration.
A declaration that courage deserves a microphone.
That community deserves investment.
And that change requires resources.
The evening raised critical funds to advance the mission of The Hear Foundation — building safe, empowered communities through trauma-informed advocacy, youth programming, and systems change. But what unfolded was more than a program agenda. It was a movement in motion.
Impact. Inspiration. Amplification.
From the moment guests entered the casino, it was clear: this was not a traditional gala.
There were no passive observers. Only participants.
The evening featured powerful storytelling, live performances, and the recognition of this year’s Community
Champions — leaders whose work reflects The Hear Foundation’s core belief that those closest to the challenges
are also closest to the solutions.
2026 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS:
Judge Kim Berkeley Clark — President Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and the first African
American to lead the Fifth Judicial District, advancing trauma-informed justice in juvenile and family court across
Pennsylvania.
Preeti Tuli — After her 18-year-old son Ahmir was fatally shot outside their Strip District restaurant in 2021, Tuli became a public voice for justice and accountability.
Mark Nordenberg — Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh and Chair of Pitt’s Institute of Politics, a central architect of Pittsburgh’s academic and economic transformation over two decades.
Michael A. Comber — Former Chief of the Civil Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, who led major federal investigations. Now a founding partner at Comber Miller LLC.
Dan LaVallee — Director of UPMC Health Plan’s Pathways to Work program, connecting more than 10,000 Medicaid members to employment since 2021 and bringing over $5 million in federal and state funding to Western Pennsylvania.
Taili Thompson — Manager of the Allegheny County Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention, with more than two decades of community-based work in violence reduction.
Officer Jeffrey Crawford — Community Engagement Officer with Pittsburgh Bureau, building sustained trust between residents and law enforcement one relationship at a time.
Logan Bennett — Associate at Jones Day and Pittsburgh attorney recognized for his role in high-profile criminal litigation and commitment to equitable justice.
Proceeds support programming designed to interrupt cycles of violence, strengthen trust, and expand opportunity across the Pittsburgh region.
