On Saturday, February 21st, the Bogart House in Brooklyn was buzzing with a specific kind of energy, the kind you only feel when a neighborhood shows up to celebrate its own. The Shoot for the Stars Foundation, founded by Audrey Jackson to carry on her son Pop Smoke’s legacy of giving back, hosted its 3rd Annual Canarsie Honors gala.
Between the live DJ set and performance, art on the walls and the pop-up boutique, the night felt less like a stiff ceremony and more like a powerful family gathering. As one observer put it, the event “was more than just a celebration – it was a powerful testament to the strength, resilience and dedication” of the people who keep Canarsie’s heart beating.
Canarsie has always been a place defined by its “village” mentality. Once a quiet suburb, it’s evolved into a vibrant, diverse community of 90,000 residents with deep Caribbean and African-American roots. That heritage was front and center at the gala, where the awards weren’t just for prestige; they were a “thank you” to the mentors, educators and activists who pour their lives into the local youth. This year’s honorees were A.T. Mitchell-Mann of Man Up! Inc, a local nonprofit organization; Jamel Gaines, Dance Architect; Amira-Dior Traynham-Artis, Arts Designer; Shneaqua Coco Stanley, Community Activist; and Laval Bryant-Quigley of The Brooklyn Museum; Jory Dreher, small business owner; and Dr. Maria C. Willis, creator of the Panamanian Day Parade in New York.
One of the most moving moments of the night was the tribute to Gaines. As the founder of the Creative Outlet Dance Theater, Gaines has been using dance to change kids’ lives since the mid-90s. But for him, this wasn’t just professional; it was personal.
Reflecting on his roots, Gaines shared how local programs saved him. “I started in the arts in third grade through [the NYC] Board of Education … I did summer youth employment until I aged out,” he told the crowd, remembering how those early free programs and a scholarship to Purchase University set his path.
He seemed genuinely touched by the recognition, admitting, “It feels weird to be honored with something that you really love doing.” His colleagues weren’t surprised, though. Jackson, standing next to him on stage, noted that Gaines has always been there for the neighborhood’s families: “Jamel is family … he was there for us when the boys were younger and needed a place to be. To be able to show him some honor at this stage of the game is fitting. We thank you, sir, for making a space available for our young people.”
The gala also proved that you’re never too young to lead. Amira-Dior Traynham-Artis, a 17-year-old sneaker designer, took the stage to a round of heavy applause. Traynham-Artis started her fashion brand, Lane 1, when she was just 14, and her designs have already made it all the way to Oscar-weekend gift suites.
“I started my business when I was 14 … I started designing when I was 12, and I am now 17,” she said, beaming at the crowd. While she thanked the committee, she spent most of her time looking forward. She dedicated the honor to her late brother, Pop Smoke (who she called “Pops”), saying, “He definitely had a really big impact in the community and my generation … the love that he gave will forever live on.”
Her most powerful words, however, were directed at the adults in the room. She challenged them to keep believing in the next generation: “This is what our young people can do. If we give them the support that they need and allow them to run — maybe don’t squash them down. We have to become that village again.”
The evening wasn’t just about trophies; it was about the “movement” of a community taking care of itself. As the lights dimmed, the takeaway was clear: leadership in Canarsie isn’t about a title. It’s about the lives you touch. By celebrating both the legends and the rising stars, the night renewed “the promise of a brighter future” for everyone who calls this corner of Brooklyn home.
