In a night that blended elegance with activism, the Gordon Parks Foundation hosted its annual gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, drawing a crowd of artists, philanthropists, and changemakers committed to pushing culture—and justice—forward. Since its launch in 2007, the gala has become one of New York City’s most anticipated events, and this year’s edition didn’t disappoint.

The evening served as a powerful tribute to Gordon Parks—the groundbreaking photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work captured the complexities of Black life in America. But it also looked toward the future, raising a record-breaking $3 million to fund scholarships, fellowships, and a new Legacy Acquisition Fund aimed at uplifting mid- and late-career artists whose work echoes Parks’s mission.

Things kicked off with an emotional invocation by Pastor Ernest Ledbetter, Jr. and his son, Ernest Ledbetter III—descendants of a family Parks famously documented in 1953. Then, Andra Day stepped up to the mic to deliver a stirring rendition of “God Bless the Child,” setting the tone for a night filled with meaning and momentum.

In his welcome address, Foundation Executive Director Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr. didn’t hold back. “We’re at a crossroads,” he said, noting that Parks’s legacy is more vital than ever in a moment when history is being rewritten and artistic voices are under threat. “This isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a call to action.”

Among the night’s most powerful moments came when Vogue Global Editorial Director and Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour was honored by Colman Domingo, who spoke about her commitment to uplifting culture and community. Wintour, in a rare moment of candor, acknowledged that Vogue had historically fallen short in supporting Black creatives—but promised, “We can still do more, and we will.” Her words were met with a wave of applause, especially given Parks’s early career began at Vogue in 1944.

Also honored was contemporary artist Rashid Johnson, introduced by Hank Willis Thomas, whose own artistic lineage traces back to Parks through his mother, Deborah Willis. Johnson credited the gala with changing the course of his life, reminding the room that “the pursuit of freedom is at the heart of everything I do.”

The Foundation also spotlighted this year’s Gordon Parks Foundation Fellows: Derek Fordjour, Scheherazade Tillet, and Salamishah Tillet, the latter a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and writer.

The ceremony continued with fashion force Bethann Hardison, who was introduced by designer Aurora James and model Tyson Beckford, both of whom praised her trailblazing presence in the industry. And finally, Ambassador Andrew Young, dressed in traditional Ghanaian attire, brought the room to its feet with a stirring reflection on the ongoing fight for peace and justice.

Music flowed through the evening, from The Roots’ Dave Guy delivering a jazzy interlude to Andra Day returning to close the show with her modern anthem “Rise Up,” a fitting finale for a night rooted in resilience and legacy.

The event drew an A-list crowd including Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Spike Lee, Gayle King, Misty Copeland, Anderson Cooper, Dapper Dan, Ari Melber, and Jay Ellis, among many others—each there to honor Parks and ensure his vision continues to inspire generations to come.

To learn more about the Foundation’s mission or to support their work, visit gordonparksfoundation.org.