✦ Early Bird Tickets On Sale August 17 ✦
Becoming Love Project
& Fundraising Gala
Honoring Five Extraordinary Community Leaders
Exclusive Red Carpet Screening of Our Debut Feature Film
Doors 5:00 PM•Black Tie Attire•Exclusive Feature Film Screening
"Once a year, we gather to honor the people quietly rebuilding our community, and to premiere the film they inspired."
The Heart Awards & Fundraising Gala is Becoming Love Project's signature evening, an intimate red carpet premiere, ceremony, and dinner benefiting our Youth Storytelling Program and the year of work ahead.
Secure Your Seat
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating community, honoring extraordinary leaders, and supporting the mission of Becoming Love Project. Every reservation helps empower youth through the power of storytelling.
An inspiring evening celebrating community, honoring extraordinary leaders, and supporting our mission through the power of storytelling.
Aug 17Increases to $60 after September 17, 2026
Dinner is not included with this ticket.
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating community and honoring extraordinary leaders, with full course dinner included.
Aug 17Increases to $125 after September 17, 2026
Reserve a table for eight and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people and stories shaping our community.
Available Aug 17Increases to $900 after September 17, 2026
I.
the story behind the story
Becoming Love Project began with Founder Tamala Baldwin's own story. Rewriting her ending, using screenwriting to process her pain and imagine a different reality, changed the course of her life, and became a calling to help others do the same. This year, we launched our pilot program, a screenwriting room where a new cohort learned to shape their own stories, on the page and, this November, on set. Their story became the film we're about to premiere, on the same stage where we honor five people already living that kind of love out loud. Every seat, table, and partnership funds the next room like it.
Now Premiering
When a high-powered attorney returns home after a breakdown, she must confront her sense of self-worth and remember who she was before the world told her who to be. Written, directed, and produced through Becoming Love Project's Youth Storytelling Program.
The storytellers bringing our debut feature film to life, premiering at this year's Heart Awards. From seasoned actors to first-time performers discovered through our Youth Storytelling Program, this cast poured months of work into bringing The Way Back Home to the screen. We hope you'll join us in celebrating them on the red carpet.
Ericka Alexis
as Diana
Terry Henry
as Beverly
Kadeem Isaiah
as Gabriel
Wil Cooks
as Joe
Chantress Dixon
as Candy
Camay McCollum
as Zora
Shawn Francis
as James
Khrys Styles
as Francine
Kim Thomas
as Lorraine
Katishma Grey
as Claudette
Lester Greene
as Bernard
T. Richardson
as Keisha
George Thomas
as Calloway
M. Habtemariam
as Margaret
Also featuring Yomari Jackson as the Waitress, Ocean Velour Jackson as the Server, and Alphonso Hayward as the Emcee.
II.
Each year, we recognize five community leaders whose lives reflect exactly what Becoming Love Project exists to celebrate ordinary people who chose, again and again, to become love for someone else.
I
Sunny Brown
Empowerment Honoree
II
Dr. Terrence Lester
Heart Award Honoree
III
TeeJ Mercer
Community Impact Honoree
IV
Malcolm Mitchell
Storytelling Honoree
V
Zoe Oli
Rising Voice Honoree
III.
held with intention
Five community leaders will be recognized for turning personal struggle into public good. The night closes with a red carpet screening of Becoming Love Project's debut feature film, The Way Back Home, written, directed, and produced alongside the very cohort it was written for.
Honorees
Five extraordinary community leaders recognized for lives spent in service of others.
Screening
An exclusive red carpet premiere of our newest feature film, ahead of its public release.
Dinner
A full course, plated dinner served before the ceremony begins.
Impact
Every seat, table, and sponsorship funds a full year of the Youth Storytelling Program.
Partner With The Project
The Heart Awards is our largest fundraiser of the year, underwriting the Youth Storytelling Program, our annual festival, and everything in between. Partner with us at the circle that fits your vision.
Download Full Sponsorship Package · Sponsorship Inquiry Form
I
Founder's Circle
Presenting Sponsor
$10,000
II
Director's Circle
Legacy Sponsor
$5,000
III
Producer's Circle
Storyteller Sponsor
$2,500
IV
Storyteller's Circle
Community Sponsor
$1,000
V
Supporting CastSmall Business Sponsor
Business card ad in the printed program · Listed as a program supporter, a simple, affordable way for small businesses to stand with us.
$250
InquireYour Partnership Creates Change
I
Storytelling
Screenwriting and filmmaking training that gives young people the tools, and the room, to tell their own stories.
II
Workforce Development
Real, hands-on set experience, from writing to production, that gives our cohort a genuine pathway into the film industry.
III
Community
A home for young creators to be witnessed, supported, and celebrated, long after the credits roll.
IV
Legacy
A sustainable pipeline of storytellers, so this year's cohort becomes next year's mentors.
With Gratitude
The businesses and organizations donating goods, services, and expertise to make this night possible.
Good to Know
Becoming Love Project's signature annual community fundraising gala, celebrating individuals whose compassion, leadership, and service are making a meaningful impact, with a Red Carpet Reception, Heart Awards Ceremony, dinner, silent auction, raffle, an exclusive feature film screening, and an after party.
Black tie attire. Think floor-length gowns or elegant evening dresses, tuxedos or dark formal suits, with formal shoes and evening accessories.
Dinner is included with Individual Tickets and Tables for Eight. General Admission tickets do not include dinner.
Yes to both. Guests can bid on unique items and experiences throughout the evening, and raffle tickets are available for purchase, with winners announced during the event.
General Admission tickets may be available at the door if the event has not sold out. We strongly encourage purchasing in advance, as seating is limited.
We welcome businesses, organizations, and individuals to partner with us. See our Patron Circles above, or reach out directly at chair@becomingloveproject.org.
No. As a fundraising event, all ticket purchases, table reservations, raffle and auction purchases, sponsorships, and donations are final and non-refundable.
Yes. If you're unable to attend, tickets and table reservations may be transferred to another guest by contacting us no later than 48 hours before the event.
Complimentary parking is available on site, and the venue is ADA accessible. If you require accommodations, please contact us before the event.
Yes. We'll do our best to accommodate dietary needs and food allergies; just indicate them during registration or contact us beforehand.
Yes, we're a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations made directly to Becoming Love Project may be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law; please consult your tax advisor for your individual situation.
Email us anytime at info@becomingloveproject.org.
Save The Date
This year's Heart Awards features a red carpet screening of our community's newest feature film, brought to life alongside our Youth Storytelling cohort. We hope you'll join us.
Available August 17Saturday, November 14, 2026 · The Artisan: A Gathering Place
554 W. Main Street, Buford, Georgia 30518
