Gabby Petito Foundation, JBJ’s Nashville + The Joseph Family Foundation Unite “Break the Silence” Benefit

The following is a press release:

On Sunday, June 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., The Joseph Family Foundation, the Gabby Petito Foundation, and JBJ’s Nashville will host “Break the Silence,” a powerful community benefit dedicated to domestic violence awareness, advocacy, survivor support, and education.

Gabby Petito was a 22-year-old aspiring travel creator, artist, and photographer whose life was tragically cut short in 2021 during a cross-country road trip. Her story captured national attention and sparked widespread conversations surrounding domestic violence, coercive control, and the warning signs many victims face behind closed doors. In the wake of unimaginable loss, Gabby’s family established the Gabby Petito Foundation to support organizations assisting survivors of domestic violence, missing persons cases, and crisis intervention efforts while continuing to educate communities through advocacy and awareness initiatives.

“Break the Silence” will be held at JBJ’s on Broadway in downtown Nashville, the event will bring together survivors, advocates, families, students, and supporters for an intimate and impactful afternoon inspired by Gabby Petito’s story and the ongoing mission to create meaningful change through awareness and prevention.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Gabby Petito Foundation.

The benefit comes at a time of renewed public attention surrounding Gabby’s story, helping amplify critical conversations about domestic violence, family support, and the challenges victims often face when speaking out.

The event will feature an exclusive screening of a never-before-seen film production centered on Gabby Petito’s story, produced by a multiple Emmy Award-winning filmmaker. Guests will also hear directly from Gabby’s parents during a live community panel discussion alongside domestic violence experts and advocates.

Guests will also experience a special live performance by rising Country-Americana artist Caryn Dixon, whose deeply personal songwriting and advocacy work closely align with the mission of “Break the Silence.” As a domestic violence survivor, Dixon has used her music to create space for healing and empowerment, most notably through her breakout single “Bird in a Cage,” inspired by her journey overcoming abuse and reclaiming her voice. Recently named the #1 Artist to Watch in 2026 by Music City Melodies, Dixon has reached more than 650,000 listeners globally and continues gaining national attention from outlets including ABC’s Local on 2, WSM Radio’s On Air With Eryn, Cowgirl Magazine, and Country AirCheck.

Additional highlights include a curated buffet lunch provided by the JBJ’s culinary team and an exclusive gallery walk showcasing Gabby’s personal artwork and photography.

This deeply immersive and carefully curated gallery walk will showcase Gabby Petito’s personal artwork, photography, personal belongings, and written internal reflections, displayed publicly for the first time from her family’s private collection. Designed as a reflective, narrative-driven experience, the gallery walk will guide guests through intimate stations that illuminate Gabby’s creativity, voice, and lived experience.

This walkthrough is intentionally designed not as a static exhibition, but as an unfolding story,  offering visual, emotional, and contextual insight into Gabby’s life, her artistic expression, and the moments that shaped her perspective.

To ensure a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all guests and the integrity of the materials being shared, cybersecurity oversight and event digital protection will be supported by Argus Protection Intelligence, which will assist in maintaining a secure event infrastructure and safeguarding sensitive digital components of the program.

“As Gabby’s parents, we have learned that healing and change happen in community. Events like this are so important because they bring people together to connect, educate, support, and take action. Every conversation started and every person reached has the potential to change or save a life.

We are honored to be joining the Joseph family in person at JBJ’s Nashville for this impactful event, where we will share Gabby’s story through a short film and panel discussion, and display some of Gabby’s artwork. Being able to share pieces of who she was, her creativity, her light, and her story creates opportunities for deeper understanding and meaningful conversations that can inspire change.=

Seeing people gather to stand together gives us hope that Gabby’s legacy will continue creating a future where more people feel seen, heard, supported, and empowered to seek help before tragedy occurs. Together, through community and collective action, we can turn awareness into prevention and create lasting change.” – Niki Schmitt’s (Gabby’s mom)

Event Schedule

• 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Guest Arrival & Entrance

• 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Welcome & Introductions

• 12:00 PM – 12:35 PM: Exclusive Film Viewing

• 12:35 PM – 1:35 PM: Lunch Buffet

• 12:35 PM – 1:35 PM: Community Panel Discussion & Audience Q+A

• 1:35 PM – 2:00 PM: Exclusive Gallery Walk Featuring Gabby’s Artwork & Photography

• 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Farewells & Closing Remarks

Unlike many Broadway events, “Break the Silence” is intentionally designed to be accessible to younger advocates and students and will not be restricted to guests 21 and older.