Apollo Theater: Virtual Gala a Resounding Success
This year, the Apollo Theater’s Annual Spring Benefit was a virtual manifestation of Black Elegance.
The legendary Harlem theater’s benefit was held on June 7th, and the theater’s digital stage celebration displayed its rich legacy. In addition, the Benefit displayed:
- its commitment to the future as a mission-led arts and cultural organization
- its community anchored relationship
- its strength as an economic power driver for New York City and Harlem in particular.
This year’s signature fundraising event attracted the creme de la creme of business, entertainment and philanthropic communities in support of the Apollo. Dubbed Apollo Resounding, the event illuminated the power of the arts to transform, build community, and heal.
“For generations of artists, the Apollo has been a safe and revolutionary space for creativity, but as 2020 has taught us, our art is so much more than its physical form. Apollo Resounding will amplify the Apollo’s commitment to rise to the needs of our community and the resounding calls for justice, equity, and humanity, as we continue to create spaces for artists and audiences to express themselves freely,” said Kamilah Forbes, Apollo Theater Executive Producer.
Apollo Resounding underscores the Apollo’s role as a mission-driven cultural and community anchor, which provides a safe space for creativity and unites people all over the world, including thousands of artists at every stage of their careers. Always at the forefront of new cultural movements, even during the pandemic, the messages and music from the storied theater have resounded for nearly 90 years.
“The Apollo has long been an anchor in Harlem, supporting Black culture and safeguarding the community in ways that cannot be contained in its walls. The Apollo speaks to artists, families, students, music, theater, and comedy fans across the world,” said Jonelle Procope, Apollo Theater President and CEO.
“As we move forward, I want to recognize the fantastic staff, artists, educators, and supporters who have helped us continue our work. I send my profound thanks to the incomparable Felicia and Ben Horowitz and Derrick ‘D-Nice’ Jones for their support of our mission to champion the arts.”
During the inspirational program the inaugural Impact Award was presented to Felicia and Ben Horowitz for their philanthropic leadership which has made an extraordinary impact on the arts and artists and because they share the Apollo’s values of innovation, diversity, and inclusion. Multi-hyphenated producer DJ Derrick “D-Nice” Jones received the Percy E. Sutton Award in recognition of his invaluable support upholding the value of the arts and philanthropy as a crucial part of the fabric of our community.
In addition, the Apollo paid tributes to activist and educator Brittany Packnett Cunningham; Motown Records Chairwoman and CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam; and President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund Sherrilyn Ifill for their dedication to amplifying Black culture and their ongoing work for a more just and equitable future.
The elegant evening featured smashing performances by Grammy nominated singer MAJOR; jazz vocalists Alita Moses; opera singer and featured performer on “The Voice,” John Holiday; Amateur Night at the Apollo emcee Greginald Spencer; New York-based jazz, pop, soul, r&b, hip-hop and rock trio the Kennedy Administration; bassist David “DJ” Ginyard; actress, choreographer and tap dancer Ayodele Casele; violinist Kersten Stevens; internationally renowned trumpeter and composer Marquis Hill; percussionist Senfu Stoney; award-winning jazz bassist Russell Hall; and young R&B artist Dash.
Apollo Resounding included highlights from the recent induction ceremony of nine-time Grammy Award-winning and two-time Academy Award nominee Mary J. Blige into the Apollo’s Walk of Fame. The benefit was chaired by the Apollo Board Chair Charles Phillips and Karen Phillips, Cheryl and Derek Jones, and Carolyn and Mark Mason.
About the Apollo Theater
The legendary Apollo Theater — the soul of American culture — plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.
With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival.
The non-profit Apollo Theater is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World Festival (WOW) as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres — including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop.
Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R., D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.
You can find the Apollo Theater at
253 W 125th St
New York, NY 10027
Photos: The Apollo
- Sandy & Bob Tate Diamond Anniversary Celebration - 07/21/2021
- Mary J. Blige on Harlem’s Apollo Walk Of Fame - 07/14/2021
- Apollo Theater: Virtual Gala a Resounding Success - 07/07/2021