Gordon Parks Foundation Gala Raises $3M at 20th Anniversary
The Gordon Parks Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary at a gala in New York City on Tuesday, generating an impressive $3 million in donations. Notable figures such as John Legend and Chance the Rapper were honored for their contributions. The event featured a notable auction led by Kimberly Pirtle, which raised $1.2 million, including a striking 1956 photograph by Parks that fetched over $150,000. Chance the Rapper also entertained guests with a performance alongside The Anthony Morgan Inspirational Choir of Harlem. The evening concluded with Colin Kaepernick paying tribute to Lonnie Ali and family, complemented by a dinner prepared by Chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Key facts
- The Gordon Parks Foundation raised $3 million at its 20th anniversary gala.
- The gala was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
- Honorees included John Legend, Elizabeth Alexander, Chance the Rapper, Henry Taylor, and Lonnie Ali.
- The auction raised $1.2 million, with Parks' photo 'At Segregated Drinking Fountain. Mobile, Alabama' selling for over $150,000.
- Chance the Rapper performed 'I Was a Rock' with The Anthony Morgan Inspirational Choir of Harlem.
- Peter W. Kunhardt Jr. presented Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz with a portrait by Derrick Adams.
- John Legend spoke about Selma and performed 'Glory.'
- Jason Moran performed 'Rhythm of the Ring' as the inaugural music fellow.
Entities
Artists
- Gordon Parks
- John Legend
- Elizabeth Alexander
- Chance the Rapper
- Henry Taylor
- Lonnie Ali
- Muhammad Ali
- Annie Leibovitz
- Ben Stiller
- Christine Taylor
- Delroy Lindo
- Colin Kaepernick
- Bethann Hardison
- Sherry Bronfman
- Lyndsey McFail
- Maxwell Osborne
- Marcus Samuelsson
- Maya Haile
- Peter W. Kunhardt Jr.
- Philip Kunhardt
- Alicia Keys
- Swizz Beatz
- Derrick Adams
- Salamishah Tillet
- Pharrell Williams
- Darren Walker
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Deana Lawson
- Jelani Cobb
- Dave Guy
- Leslie Parks Bailey
- Mario Sprouse
- Jason Moran
- Eric McNeal
- Kimberly Pirtle
- Kathryn Coney-Ali
- Dr. Melanee C. Harvey
- Jalen Hurts
- Whitney Gayle Benta
- Huma Abedin
- Samantha Barry
- Kennedy Yanko
- Pauline Forlenza
- Tavares Strachan
- Malcolm Jenkins
- Anwarii Musa
- Cheon-Hwa Sanviriya
- Jammie Holmes
- Chelsea Clinton
- Arturo Holmes
- Noam Galai
- Bryan Bedder
Institutions
- The Gordon Parks Foundation
- Vogue
- Public School
- The Anthony Morgan Inspirational Choir of Harlem
- Gabriel Advisory Group
- Howard University
- The Roots
Locations
- New York City
- Cipriani 42nd Street
- Manhattan
- Selma
- Alabama
- Mobile
- Harlem