Faith Evans’ Inaugural Ryder’s Room Gala in Newark, NJ | Sept. 27th, 2025
Black Bird Smart Innovations, LLC™ and Prolific Music Group Present Grammy Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter Faith Evans’ Inaugural Ryder’s Room Gala, in Conjunction with Ryder’s Room Inc. and The City of Newark
The Newark Native, along with her Friends, Multiple Award-Winning Artists MC Lyte, Mike Epps, El DeBarge, Christopher Williams, Redman, Avery Wilson, Freeway and Lil’ Cease will Join Evans in Support of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Honorees Includes Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and ASD Renowned Advocates Liza Lawrence, Maliaka Mitchell, Andrew Burger, Safiyyah Muhammad at The Newark Museum of Art
(Los Angeles, CA and Newark, NJ – September 18, 2025) – Black Bird Smart Innovations, LLC™ and Prolific Music Group present Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Faith Evans’ Inaugural Ryder’s Room Gala, in conjunction with Ryder’s Room Inc. and The City of Newark. The Newark native, along with her friends including Grammy Award-nominated recording artist MC Lyte, comedian and actor Mike Epps, R&B music legends El DeBarge and Christopher Williams, hip-hop artist and producer Redman, Broadway actor and recording artist Avery Wilson, rapper and songwriter Freeway and hip-hop artist Lil’ Cease will join Evans in support of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. –10:00 p.m. at The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street in Newark, New Jersey.
MC Lyte
MC Lyte will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies and this year’s Inaugural Gala theme, “Awaken The Fire: Ignite, Empower and Elevate” will recognize five esteemed honorees including Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, who will receive the Elevate Award. Mayor Baraka is recognized nationally as a thought leader in the field of urban revitalization. He has also gained acclaim for his commitment to reducing crime in Newark and reimagining public safety by treating it as a public health issue. Mayor Baraka opened the Shani Baraka Women’s Resource Center to provide complete care for women and families in crisis and transition. Under his leadership, the city has also undertaken a major effort to provide holistic care for residents without addresses. While serving as Mayor of Newark, he was also President of NJ Urban Mayors Association, and now its President Emeritus; Executive Board Member for NJ League of Municipalities; Co-Chair, National League of Cities Reimaging Public Safety Task Force; U.S. Conference of Mayors – Vice Chair for Ports, Transportation and Communications Committee; and Member, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Local Government Advisory Committee.
Andrew Burger will be presented with the Inspire Award. He is a gifted artist, dedicated educator, and powerful voice within the autism community. Andrew, who is autistic himself, was nonverbal until the age of 4 and received special education services throughout his school years. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Graphic Design from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and creates stunning artwork on commission. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Burger serves as a Registered Behavior Technician, working in both school and home settings to support individuals with multiple diagnoses. His journey, passion, and advocacy reflect the heart of Ryder’s Room mission.
Top Row, Left to Right: Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, El DeBarge, Mike Epps, Christopher Williams; Middle Row, Left to Right: Redman, Avery Wilson, Lil’ Cease, Freeway; Bottom Row: Liza Lawrence, Maliaka Mitchell, Andrew Burger, Safiyyah Muhammad (Photo Collage: Courtesy of Ryder’s Room Inc.)
Liza Lawrence will be presented with the Impact Award. She is an award-winning healthcare executive, community advocate and visionary nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience in healthcare operations and deep-rooted commitment to autism awareness and advocacy. She is the founder and CEO of Perfect Connection, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 2019. Perfect Connection was born from Lawrence’s firsthand experience navigating the complexities of raising two sons on the autism spectrum. Determined to ensure that other families have better access to resources, education, and support; she created the organization as a comprehensive platform for change. Under her leadership, Perfect Connection has directly impacted the lives of more than 500 children.
Maliaka Mitchell will receive the Empower Award. As the founder of Maliaka & Associates, she provides culturally competent, person-centered behavioral services across Southern California, including skills training and parent mentorship. Mitchell holds a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus on Rehabilitation and has contributed her expertise to initiatives such as police disability training, international outreach and work at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She is a dedicated advocate, educator, and leader with more than 20 years of experience in the developmental disability field. With expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and a foundation in special education, Mitchell has impacted countless lives through evidence-based interventions, program development, and inclusive advocacy.
Safiyyah Muhammad will receive the Encourage Award. She is a nationally respected disability policy advocate, transition specialist, and Accessibility Navigator. Muhammad is the founder of Urban Matters Advocacy & Action (The UMAA Network) and a proud mother and grandmother raising five neurodivergent children across the lifespan. A Partners in Policymaking graduate, Certified Autism Travel Professional, and NJLEND Fellow, she also served on the ADA Advisory Council at the Newark Museum of Art. Muhammad is a founding member of the National Black Disability Coalition and a former chair of NJCDD’s Ad Hoc Committee on Equal Access. Her work centers on lived experiences, disability justice, and the fundamental right to belonging.
For the past 18 years, Faith Evans has spent most of her time caring for her son and family and advocating for autism and special needs awareness, hence the formation of her foundation, Ryder’s Room Inc. As founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ryder’s Room Inc., Evans established the foundation eight years ago in 2017. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Ryder’s Room Inc. takes its name and inspiration from the founder’s son, Ryder, who is now 18 years old and was diagnosed in early childhood with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication and interaction.
Evans and the Ryder’s Room Board of Directors have continued to raise awareness both locally, regionally, and nationally surrounding various key issues related to autism and special needs. The organization also seeks support in the areas of medical care, economic development, social services, and political awareness and advancement issues, especially in racial and ethnically diverse communities, where the resources and funding support are limited. Additionally, Evans and the Ryder’s Room team host monthly support group meetings for parents of children with different disabilities.
“In addition, to the Ryder’s Room and its Board of Directors, I am honored to have friends who have agreed to come out and support this national crisis of autism and special needs awareness, especially in marginalize communities, where resources and assistance are scarce,” says Evans, the mother of four. “I am a part of a tribe of parents who have to navigate taking care of their child or children with ASD and go to work every day to support and maintain their families.
Ryder’s Room Inc’s presenting sponsors are Black Bird Smart Innovations, LLC™ and Prolific Music Group. Other sponsors include Flavor Unit Entertainment, Sanders Roberts, SOUNDCLOUD, Morgan Stanley, RWJ Barnabas Health, Phoenix Management & Associates Inc, Antoinette Media, and D’USSÉ.
Ryder’s Room executive team and Board of Directors include Faith Evans (founder and Chief Executive Officer), Zakia Benyard (Executive Director), Sherry Johnson-Alvarez (President), Dollie Peterson (Vice President), Cory Taylor (Treasurer), and Adrienne Henry-Horne (Secretary). The Board of Directors include, Jalia Simms (Board Member), Andrae Crenshaw (Board Member), Cheryl Flowers-Briggs (Board Member), Dr. George Jenkins (Board Member), Courtney Terry (Chair of Special Events), Joanne Morris (Board Member), George Peterson (Board Member), Brad Beckerman (Board Member), Ellisa K. Rawls (Chair of Community Engagement), Lark Adams (Chair of Media & Communications), SuSu Stewart (Board Member), Diana Boardley (Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee), and Hannah Holdings (Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee).
For more information on Ryder’s Room, visit www.rydersroom.org. To purchase tickets and VIP packages, click here. Follow Ryder’s Room Inc. on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Follow Faith Evans on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT RYDER’S ROOM
Having gone through several difficulties finding proper schools, activities, and other services for my son, I realized not only the need to use my platform to advocate, but to also use my platform to give back to those that have to face the same challenges but may not have many of the resources to navigate them. Ryder’s Room, Inc. was created to help provide the highest level of resources for children and their families with disabilities and different needs, as well as professionals in the field.
Gwendolyn Quinn Public Relations