News Release
Phoenix Indian Center
Phoenix Indian Center’s premier fundraising event, Silver & Turquoise Ball, took place October 21, 2022, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. Boeing was the title sponsor of the event, which sold out and raised more than half a million dollars for the Center’s programs and services. Governor Stephen Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community was honored with the Leon Grant Spirit of Service Award, and attendees were treated to an indigenous dinner created by Chef Freddie Bitsoie.
“This year’s event with the theme ‘Celebrating Our History, Honoring the People’ was especially meaningful in this 75th anniversary year for the Phoenix Indian Center,” said Jolyana Begay Kroupa, CEO of Phoenix Indian Center. “The support that we have, and the success of this event ensures that our organization can continue to provide essential services and programming and make a difference in the lives of the urban American Indian population.”
The Silver & Turquoise Ball also featured live and silent auctions highlighting American Indian art, jewelry, and experiences. There were over 200 auction items worth over $100,000 — the highest in Silver & Turquoise Ball history! Governor Stephen Roe Lewis was honored as this year’s Leon Grant Spirit of the Community award for his advocacy and support of causes that are important to Indigenous communities throughout Arizona and for his leadership role on vital issues.
Other noteworthy sponsors for this year’s event include SRP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, CKP Insurance, Desert Diamond Casinos, ASU Office of the President, AZ Central, JP Morgan Chase APS, Wells Fargo, Penta Building Group, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Freeport McMoRan, Casino Arizona, APN Staffing & Employment Solutions, National Center American Indian Enterprise Development, Cox Communications, Akin Gump, and Humana.
About Phoenix Indian Center
Phoenix Indian Center, established in 1947, is the oldest and first social service agency in the United States dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all, with services targeted to American Indian people. The Center serves over 10,000 customers annually with intensive job preparedness, prevention services, cultural enrichment, youth programming, and community engagement targeted toward adults and youth. Related outreach touches more than 20,000 urban American Indian men, women, and children every year. To learn more, visit www.phxindcenter.org.
