A Night of Black Excellence: Gordon Parks Foundation Gala Raises $3 Million for Artists

Under the sparkling chandeliers of Cipriani 42nd Street, a historic evening unfolded, celebrating trailblazers, honoring legacies, and inspiring the next generation. The 2025 Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction not only paid tribute to icons but also raised a record-breaking $3 million to support Black artists and storytellers, according to Forbes.

This year’s gala recognized Bethann Hardison and Ambassador Andrew J. Young, two living legends whose careers exemplify courage, advocacy, and the transformative power of representation.

Bethann Hardison: A Legacy of Bravery in Fashion

Bethann Hardison, the pioneering model turned fearless fashion advocate, delivered a heartfelt reflection on resilience and purpose. “It takes bravery to do a lot of things right now. We have to be extremely brave. Extremely brave,” she said, a reminder that challenging systemic inequities often begins with speaking truth to power. Her decades-long work to diversify the fashion industry not only reshaped runways but redefined who is seen and celebrated in global culture, inspiring generations of Black models and creatives (Vogue, 2025).

Andrew J. Young: A Life of Liberation and Service

Ambassador Andrew J. Young, civil rights leader, U.S. congressman, mayor, and diplomat, was also honored for a lifetime of service. As one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest allies, Young shaped American history through activism, policy, and diplomacy. His legacy embodies the courage, vision, and compassion that Gordon Parks captured in his photography, bridging art and advocacy in a way that continues to resonate today (Washington Post, 2025).

Record-Breaking Auction and Iconic Moments

The gala reached a crescendo during the live auction, when Parks’ Department Store, Mobile, Alabama (1956) sold for $140,000, shattering previous records. The photograph, depicting a Black woman and her niece beneath a “COLORED ENTRANCE” sign, captured the stark reality of segregation-era America while centering the humanity and dignity of Black life. Each sale reinforced the foundation’s mission: to preserve Parks’ work while fueling the future of Black artistry (Smithsonian Magazine, 2025).

Executive Director Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr. reflected on the significance of the evening: “Since this gala began in 2007, we’ve celebrated many extraordinary evenings, but tonight may be the most critical gala we’ve ever held… Gordon gave us clear instructions: ‘Take what I’ve built, and push it forward.’ That future is now.”

Honoring Contemporary Visionaries

In addition to Hardison and Young, the gala recognized artist Rashid Johnson, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and the 2025 Gordon Parks Foundation Fellows—Derek Fordjour, Scheherazade Tillet, and Salamishah Tillet. Longtime chroniclers of Black life and protest, Mikki Ferrill and LeRoy Henderson, were also honored as peers and protégés of Parks’ visual legacy.

The evening’s energy was elevated by a soul-stirring performance from singer-songwriter Andra Day and opening reflections by Rev. Ernest F. Ledbetter, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Ernest F. Ledbetter III. Among the celebrity attendees and cultural changemakers were Dapper Dan, Misty Copeland, Gayle King, Jay Ellis, Annie Leibovitz, and Malcolm Jenkins, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of Parks’ legacy across creative and social spheres.

A Movement Beyond Fundraising

With co-chairs including Alicia Keys, Kasseem Dean, Spike Lee, Tonya Lee, Kathryn and Kenneth Chenault, and Carol Sutton Lewis and William M. Lewis, Jr., the gala was more than a fundraising event—it was a movement. By honoring those who paved the way and investing in today’s innovators, the foundation reaffirmed that Gordon Parks’ vision is alive and advancing. The record $3 million raised ensures that Black artists and storytellers will continue to thrive, carrying forward a legacy of creativity, courage, and cultural impact for generations to come.

The evening was a vivid reminder: the light Parks ignited through his lens will never dim, and the work he began continues to flourish.