TODAY's Natalie Morales to Host 'Tribute to Families' Gala

Lois Braverman, President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family, announced today the honorees and host for A Tribute to Families to take place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Monday, October 22nd in New York City.

This year's Ackerman Award Honorees will be:

Ackerman Corporate Partner Award:

· Gregory T. Rogers, Founder & Managing Partner, RayLign Advisory LLC;

Ackerman Distinguished Service Award:

· Baron Davis, Point Guard, New York Knicks, and Founder, Rising Stars of America

Natalie Morales, News Anchor of NBC News' TODAY & Co-Host of the third hour, will host the evening for the second year in a row to benefit the vital programs and ongoing services for children and families at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.

"I support the Ackerman Institute for the Family because it helps conventional and unconventional families address and overcome deep and sometimes painful personal and societal issues," says Natalie Morales. "Ackerman is a dynamic institution that is continuously evolving and keeping pace with today's families in a society that is more complex every day. Family is important to me, and Ackerman believes that strong family bonds and communication are important to the strength of our communities. And, I agree wholeheartedly."

"We are excited to have Natalie Morales once again emcee our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Ackerman Institute's Tribute to Families gala," says Lois Braverman, President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family. "By giving of her time and talent to help lead our event to success, she is speaking volumes about the importance of family in our society and in our lives. I am grateful to Natalie for lending her support and celebrity in this way."

Gregory T. Rogers, Founder & Managing Partner, RayLign Advisory LLC will be honored at the Gala with the Ackerman Corporate Partner Award.

"The day to day challenges that face families are dynamic, varied and complex," says Gregory T. Rogers, Founder & Managing Partner, RayLign Advisory LLC. "To accept an award from Ackerman is acknowledgement that our firm has met a high standard for empathy, creativity and competency helping families overcome the everyday challenges confronting family well-being. My team at RayLign, and our clients, have grown tremendously through our working partnership with Ackerman. We are truly honored to accept Ackerman's Corporate Partner Award."

"We are delighted to recognize RayLign Advisory LLC with Ackerman's Corporate Partner Award because of its commitment to strengthening families and its unwavering support of the Ackerman Institute for the Family," says Lois Braverman. "Under GReg Rogers' leadership, RayLign Advisory has developed values and guiding principles that mirror those of the Ackerman Institute. RayLign offers family services that move beyond the financial management of assets, and places the emphasis on the individuals and the family unit, knowing that communication is key in order to achieve success. RayLign honors the importance of family ties, their personal histories, and member relationships."

"GReg Rogers' commitment to RayLign's vision to perpetuate the well-being of families, led him to join Ackerman Institute's Board of Directors in 2006," adds Braverman. "We have been fortunate to have his guidance and support as Chairman from 2008-2011, and he continues to serve as a valuable member of our Board."

Baron Davis, Point Guard, New York Knicks and Founder, Rising Stars of America will be honored with the Ackerman Distinguished Service Award. "I am touched and deeply honored to accept the Distinguished Service Award from the Ackerman Institute for the Family," says Baron Davis, Point Guard, New York Knicks, and Founder, Rising Stars of America. "I accept it on behalf of my grandparents, my family, who nurtured my strengths and my spirit and believed that I would succeed. They taught me that family means responsibility to the young people in your life and in your communities. Family ensures that you are given encouragement, and the tools and skills to be able to aspire to an education and to succeed in life, and in return to contribute to those who come after you. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, who inspired me to create my own family through Rising Stars of America. Now, I have this huge family, and this award from Ackerman is recognition that I am on the right path."

"We want to honor Baron Davis with Ackerman's Distinguished Service Award for his philanthropy, his giving spirit, and his dedication to the next generation," says Braverman. "Baron was raised by his grandparents in South Central Los Angeles and there he became a basketball star. Baron knows first-hand the importance of family support in meeting one's goals in life. He hopes to bring the values of discipline and dedication to the community. He founded Rising Stars of America to give young people the opportunity to develop the social and athletic skills that will allow them to improve their lives. He credits his grandparents for his success, and we admire and honor him for his dedication to his family and his community."

A Tribute to Families will take place at the Waldorf Astoria at 301 Park Avenue in New York City on Monday, October 22nd. Tribute Gala Co-Chairs are Martha Fling and Alice Netter. They are members of the Board of Directors of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, and staunch supporters of its work on behalf of the well-being of children and families of our communities.

About Ackerman Institute for the Family:

Since 1960, the Ackerman Institute for the Family has achieved international prominence and earned national awards for the development of innovative models of family therapy, professional training, and community programs for families facing major life challenges. One of the first training institutions in the United States committed to promoting family functioning and family mental health, Ackerman is dedicated to helping families at all stages of family life.
To purchase tickets to A Tribute to Families or to learn more about the important ongoing work and services of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, call 212-721-4071 or go to: www.ackerman.org

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