Where in Las Vegas can you find Antonio Pierce singing Motown jams, Anderson .Paak mixing '80s hits at a DJ booth and members of the community coming together to provide awareness to a vital cause?
It all happened at the Raiders Foundation inaugural Silver & Black Gala presented by Intermountain Health last Saturday at The Wynn. The charitable event featured top-tier entertainment and food, as well as items and experiences auctioned off in efforts to raise funds for mental health support in Nevada.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis opened the evening with an impassioned speech.
"When we began our partnership with Las Vegas and the state of Nevada, we made a promise that you'd be getting more than a football team, that you'd be getting an army of former players, current players, Raiderettes, front office staff and the power of the NFL," he said to the room of 1,100 people. "We promised that we'd be working in the community, that on the field wasn't the only thing that we were after."
"We determined that mental health was something that was very important to everybody in this room," Davis continued. "It's something that was not lacking in this community but could be built in a much greater way."
In addition to the proceeds raised for mental health initiatives for the local community, the Raiders Foundation surprised the Legal Aid of Southern Nevada's Resiliency & Justice Center, which provides resources and support for victims of trauma and violent crime, with a check for $500,000. The center, which is in need of expansion, provides services for nearly 200,000 clients across the Las Vegas valley annually.
"It was an incredible evening. There are not too many organizations like the Raiders that recognize mental health," said Barbara Buckley, executive director of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. "With this support, I have no doubt this construction of the center will become a reality."
The Raiders also took time to recognize four people who have made significant contributions in the mental health field in Las Vegas through hard work, dedication and leadership.
Larry and Camille Ruvo of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and Keep Memory Alive were honored with the first Mental Health Commitment to Excellence Award. Together, the Ruvos launched the nation's first and only Alzheimer's prevention program for women and funded an endowed chair to study the health of dementia caregivers. The award was accepted on their behalf by Dr. Dylan Wint.
Bob Brown and Linda Smith of Opportunity Village were honored with the second Mental Health Commitment to Excellence Award for their dedication to fostering community partnerships and raising funds to continue the organization's work in helping individuals with disabilities thrive.
Along with .Paak, performing as DJ Pee .Wee, the lineup of live performances included Grammy Award-winning artists David Foster, Babyface and Andra Day with special appearances by Loren Allred, Katharine McPhee, Jordin Sparks and Pia Toscano. Comedian Michael Yo hosted the evening.
"Any time kids and fans idolize players on the gridiron, they're heroes to them. So, when your heroes say, 'Hey, I go through the same problems you have,' there's a connection to them," Yo said of the Raiders' efforts to address mental health challenges. "Now they know it's ok to come out and talk about my problems and find someone to help me out."
Members of the Raiders front office staff and locker room were also in attendance, including Head Coach Antonio Pierce, President Sandra Douglass Morgan, board of directors member Larry Delsen and quarterback Aidan O'Connell to name a few.
"I played in the league; I've dealt with a lot of players that are good friends of mine that struggle," Pierce said. "Mental health is serious, it's a silent killer.
"I think the key part about it is that it's real. It's something in which you can't physically touch it, but when you can hear about it and see it it's different. I think for the Raiders organization to give back is huge."
Take a look at the best photos from the Las Vegas Raiders Foundation inaugural Silver & Black Gala, an event focused on mental health awareness and fundraising for the Legal Aid of Southern Nevada's Resiliency & Justice Center.
A 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor for the silent action during the Las Vegas Raiders Foundation inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jerry Robinson during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Grant Irons and board of directors member Larry Delsen during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests check-in to the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan and alumnus Ron Wolf during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests pose for a photo before the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumni George Atkinson and Henry Lawrence during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders senior vice president and chief sales offices Qiava Martinez during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Grant Irons during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Napoleon McCallum during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
An artist works on a painting for the auction during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Anderson Paak (as DJ Pee Wee) performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests pose for a photo during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests enjoy refreshments during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jim Plunkett during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests look at the 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor auction vehicle during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Raiderette Camille poses for a photo with a guest during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) and cornerbacks coach Ricky Manning Jr. during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A singer performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis and President Sandra Douglass Morgan during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Andra Day performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders executive director of the Raiders Foundation Kari Uyehara speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Actor and comedian Michael Yo speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Actor and comedian Michael Yo speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis presents the first "Mental Health Commitment to Excellence Award" on behalf of Larry and Camille Ruvo of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis presents the first "Mental Health Commitment to Excellence Award" to Bob Brown and Linda Smith of Opportunity Village during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce and Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen speak to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan, executive director of the Raiders Foundation Kari Uyehara, board of directors member Larry Delsen, Owner Mark Davis and executive director of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Barbara Buckley pose for a photo with a check during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders defenive coordinator Patrick Graham during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
An auctioneer facilitates the silent auction during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders board of directors member Larry Delsen during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest wins an auction item during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus James Lofton during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) and Head Coach Antonio Pierce during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66), offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61), tackle Jalen McKenzie (73), linebacker Divine Deablo (5) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Record producer and music executive David Foster performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Record producer and music executive David Foster and singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee perform during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Loren Allred performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Loren Allred performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer and actress Jordin Sparks performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Pia Toscano performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Pia Toscano performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce and singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee perform during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer and actress Jordin Sparks performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer-songwriter and record producer Babyface performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee, singer Loren Allred, singer-songwriter and record producer Babyface and singer Pia Toscano perform during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
