America's Got Talent winner Brandon Leake to perform in Auburn

A Stockton poet who won the 15th season of NBC TV's America's Got Talent will visit Auburn next month to help raise funds for a local nonprofit dedicated to making artistic and cultural experiences more accessible and affordable. Brandon Leake, 34, made history in 2020 as the first spoken-word poet to win the popular television talent show, captivating millions with performances that explored faith, family, identity, resilience and hope. He has since gone on to win multiple awards, including an Emmy, and has performed in 42 states as well as New Zealand, Mexico and Canada. Leake will stage one show on Sept. 26 in Auburn's historic Carnegie Library building as a benefit for Almost Free to All, Inc. (AFTA). "Brandon's message of hope, creativity and connection perfectly reflects what we strive to cultivate through Branches at the Carnegie," said Denice Williams, a longtime Auburn resident and an AFTA board member. "This evening is more than a fundraiser – it's an investment in Auburn's creative future and in preserving a welcoming place where our community can gather, learn, create and thrive." AFTA's "Branches at the Carnegie" program offers affordable space rentals for classes, performances, workshops and other community uses. In doing so, the group supports local artists, teachers, residents and other nonprofits while generating income that helps sustain the facility and allows AFTA to offer some of its own programming throughout the year. AFTA, created and run by local volunteers, began leasing the Carnegie Library building from the city in 2023. Starting with $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, the group undertook a modest rehabilitation of the building (closed since 2017) that included the addition of an ADA-accessible entry and restroom. The remodeled building was reopened in January of 2025 and has since hosted yoga classes, meditation groups and community celebrations, including the non-profit's first Christmas at the Carnegie, a holiday open house with food, holiday music, a crafts faire, a tree decorating contest and children's activities. Auburn resident Nicole Lee rented the Carnegie's upstairs space, the Grand Room (where Leake will perform), for a July baby shower for her daughter after searching the city and beyond for an affordable and appropriate location. "I really checked around," Lee told the Auburn Journal this week. "It's outrageous how much they charge in this town to rent a space. It's like $300 minimum plus a deposit plus insurance. "The Carnegie is like $20 an hour and you can rent it all day for like $140," she continued. "It has air conditioning; they have all the chairs and tables there; there's a refrigerator downstairs you can use; everything was just right." Lee noted that the process of renting from Branches was stress-free, with a volunteer opening up the building for her, making sure she had everything she needed and even blocking off parking in front of the Almond Street facility so she could unload her cargo. "It's not even just it being reasonable as far as price," said Lee. "It was easy, and it's really pretty in there with lots of natural light. We had 35 people and it didn't feel crowded at all. If someone's looking for somewhere that's not so plain Jane, that's the spot. It's just wonderful." Susan Whitaker, who operated Canyon Spirit Yoga in Auburn for 21 years until COVID hit, recently started teaching a weekly class at the Branches facility after attending a book launch event there in April. "I thought, 'This is the perfect spot for a yoga class," Whitaker said this week. "I love the space itself - the beauty of the room - and it's really a thrill to be in such a historic building. Her husband, Herb Whitaker, she said, has just started a weekly Tai Chi class at the Carnegie building. "Everyone's talking about the loss of third spaces and this is just the perfect third space," Susan Whitaker said. "I really wanted to be a part of supporting that." In addition to the Grand Room, which has table seating for 80 people, according to the Branches website, the bottom floor contains The Sunshine Room, "perfect for classes, meetings or intimate gatherings;" Studio Spaces for short-term artist residencies or individual use; The Quiet Room (aka Private Office), "a comfortable and professional setting for small meetings or consultations," and The Garden, "a serene outdoor space, perfect for fair-weather events, receptions or quiet reflection." Tickets for "A Night of Inspiration with Brandon Leake" are $80 for VIP and $45 for general admission. VIP tickets include a Champagne reception, a meet-and-greet with Leake, and priority seating. Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged as seating is limited. All proceeds from the event go to AFTA and will support ongoing operations and facility improvements, said Williams, "to ensure that Branches at the Carnegie remains an affordable, welcoming and vibrant community resource for artists, instructors, nonprofit organizations, local businesses and residents for generations to come." Williams also said the AFTA board is seeking donations of wine from local wineries, businesses and community supporters to be served during the VIP reception and throughout the evening. "Wine donations provide a wonderful opportunity to support the arts while showcasing the exceptional wines of the Auburn and Placer County region," she said, noting that sponsorship opportunities are also available. To purchase tickets, donate wine or inquire about sponsorships email branchesatthecarnegie@gmail.com, subject line "Brandon Tickets." For rental and other information about AFTA and Branches at the Carnegie, visit www.BranchesattheCarnegie.com.