On Tuesday, June 10th, The American Institute for Stuttering (AIS) celebrated its 19th GALA in New York City, which was hosted by Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”).
The evening’s theme was “Just Listen,” and it featured moments of inspiration and motivational speeches from beneficiaries of the organization. Its mission is to help people “speak freely and live fearlessly.”
The event honored Shawn Fagan, the Chief Legal Officer of Citadel, who is responsible for Citadel’s global legal, compliance, transaction management, as well as former NBA forward and stuttering advocate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was presented with the “Annual Leadership Award” while Fagan was bestowed the “Catherine Montgomery Advocacy Award,” which was named after the founder of AIS.
The GALA featured moving speeches by Chaim Lapp and Beth Lapp, as well as Eden Arriola-Oks.
Dr. Heather Grossman on the AIS 19th annual GALA event
Dr. Heather Grossman, AIS Executive Director, stated, “It feels very exciting to be here.”
“I’ve been the Director for the past 15 years now, and I just think it’s the best place that a therapist who is devoted to people who stutter could ever land,” she acknowledged.
Background on the American Institute for Stuttering (AIS)
Ever since 1998, the American Institute for Stuttering (AIS) is a non-profit organization that offers speech therapy and community support for people of all ages who stutter, has helped thousands of individuals speak freely and live fearlessly.
The 19th annual benefit GALA was hosted by Oscar nominee Emily Blunt, who is a board member and advocate for AIS who publicly sheds light on stuttering and its impacts.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the American Institute for Stuttering
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, former NBA forward and 2025 Honoree remarked, “It’s important to me that I know that I can to the importance of the cause (for those who stutter). I would add my efforts. It’s important to me as an individual, and I’m in it for the long-haul.”
Regarding his definition of success, Kidd-Gilchrist said, “Success is trying my best on a daily basis; whatever that looks like. Whether it’s being a dad, a husband, or being a stutter advocate. That’s what I am here for.”
John Michael Schmitz of the New York Giants on AIS GALA event
On being a part of this event, which raises awareness on stuttering, football player John Michael Schmitz of the New York Giants, remarked, “It feels great to be here. It’s a great cause and I am supporting one of my teammates.”
Closing thoughts about the event
Dr. Heather Grossman expressed, “From tonight’s event, I hope the public understands that some people may stutter; there is nothing wrong with them; there is nothing to fix. It’s about the environment including them and realizing that all it takes is an extra second of listening.”
“Also, tonight, people can hear some beautiful messages and some beautiful words,” she concluded about the event.
To learn more about the American Institute for Stuttering, visit its official website, and Instagram page.
Please Note: This journalist was credentialed and covered both the red carpet and the actual GALA ceremony event.
