CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE

Christian McBride is an eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. He is the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. McBride is also a respected educator and advocate for youth, and serves as Artistic Director of Jazz House KiDS and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Sessions. In addition to artistic directing and consistent touring with his ensembles, he hosts NPR’s “Jazz Night in America” and “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM. Whether behind the bass or away from it, Christian McBride is always part of the music. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship—and perhaps the hint of a challenge—inviting us to join him.

MELISSA WALKER

Melissa Walker is a visionary leader and arts education advocate. She has dedicated her life to making sure that every student receives a great arts education, establishing Jazz House KiDS, now in its third decade, to bridge the gap in music instruction and place students on a level playing field with their peers from other communities. In addition to more than 150 public performances produced each year, the organization’s far-reaching cultural signature program is the award-winning Montclair Jazz Festival produced by the Jazz House. The brainchild of Walker and now in its 15th year, the Montclair Jazz Fest is the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area, attracting more than 25,000 attendees to downtown Montclair each year. A Brown University graduate and GRAMMY-winning jazz vocalist, Walker has been recognized by NJBiz as one of New Jersey’s “Best 50 Women in Business,” and received the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award. In 2023, Walker was awarded the prestigious Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, one of 11 individuals who give back to the community–unsung heroes from around New Jersey who demonstrate their passion and unstoppable commitment to serve the most vulnerable.

As Executive Vice President, Global Brand Strategy & Innovation of Mastercard, Cheryl Guerin leads the overall stewardship of one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable brands. A passionate and accomplished marketer, Cheryl oversees the strategy and activation of Mastercard’s highly decorated Priceless campaign, advancing the brand to consumers and B2B audiences through cutting edge advertising, media, digital marketing and innovative insights that inform and inspire new opportunities for the business. Cheryl is also a member of Mastercard’s Management Committee.

Throughout her career, Cheryl has been committed to philanthropy, innovation, and the arts, recently leading the launch of Mastercard’s Artist Accelerator platform, which unites music industry icons and technology in support of emerging artists. This year the effort will partner with Ones To Watch to bring live performances of new music to fans around the world. An avid supporter of the Grammy’s MusiCares effort and the Young People’s Chorus, she has also advanced Mastercard’s commitment to curate and create live music performances, involving such collaborators as Jennifer Hudson, Camila Cabello, and Justin Timberlake.

Additional civic contributions include spearheading the True Name® card, which enables transgender and nonbinary people to proudly display their chosen names on their credit cards, and was globally recognized with a Cannes Lions Grand Prix in 2021; the Strivers Initiative, supporting women-owned small businesses; and Priceless Causes’ Stand Up To Cancer program, which has generated seven FDA-approved drugs.

Cheryl is an Effie and WARC awards juror and serves on the Board of Directors for The Advertising Club of New York, Ronald McDonald House NYC and Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. She has received several industry honors, including the 2023 Catalyst award from ADCOLOR, Brand Innovators’ 2022 Top 100 Women in Brand Marketing, Advancing Diversity.org Hall of Honors, Yahoo Finance OUTstanding Ally Role Model list, and the Moves Power Women list. Cheryl also received the Women in Payments “Change Agent” Award.

Sponsorship opportunities amplify your brand while providing support for the Harmony Program at its annual gala. To learn more, email gala@harmonyprogram.org.

RSVP to join us for the Harmony Program’s 2024 gala.