During dinner, all eyes were on center stage, where rose-tinted lighting illuminated a large banner of Parks’ 1966 portrait of a sweat-drenched Ali. Chance the Rapper kicked off the program by performing a special tribute to I Was a Rock alongside The Anthony Morgan Inspirational Choir of Harlem.

The Foundation’s executive director, Peter W. Kunhardt Jr. (grandson of the Foundation’s co-founder Philip Kunhardt) also gave remarks and spoke to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts before presenting gala co-chairs Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz with an original portrait of Parks (designed by 2018 Parks fellow Derrick Adams) to commemorate their 15 years of dedicated service to the organization.

John Legend, who was introduced on stage by Pulitzer Prize winner Salamishah Tillet and Pharrell Williams, reflected on the current state of Selma, Alabama, and noted how his 2014 Oscar-winning song Glory is still relevant today. “Tonight’s gala and these awards are a chance for us to get to work,” he stated, before singing a soulful snippet of the chorus.

Steady pours of Deux Chevaux and Pinot Grigio flowed as Darren Walker, Hank Willis Thomas, Deana Lawson, Jelani Cobb, and a trumpet interlude by The Roots’ Dave Guy continued on stage. However, it was Parks’ daughter, Leslie Parks Bailey, and film composer Mario Sprouse who shepherded one of the more emotional moments of the night, as they introduced the foundation’s inaugural music fellow, Jason Moran, who performed a stirring piano composition titled Rhythm of the Ring. Moved by the performance was celebrity stylist Eric McNeal—who styled Moran for the occasion—sharing: “Jason is one of my biggest inspirations. And being able to collaborate with him for tonight’s gala has been a rewarding experience.” 

Adding an electrifying jolt to the podium was Gabriel Advisory Group founder Kimberly Pirtle, who orchestrated the night’s auction segment towards a whopping $1.2 million raised. The pulse-raising auction saw several works by Park fetching upwards of $150,000 a pop; including his seminal 1956 photo At Segregated Drinking Fountain. Mobile, Alabama. Of which, Pirtle exclaimed: “Everyone loves a surprise! And I knew the final surprise lot would drive the gavel.”

As post-dinner coffee and dessert trays were being filled with jumbo chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, Colin Kaepernick closed out the gala with a final and endearing moment honoring Lonnie Ali and the Ali Family.

Inspired by the impactful tributes were Howard University’s gallery of art executive director Kathryn Coney-Ali and associate professor Dr. Melanee C. Harvey (who currently stewards the largest HBCU collection of Gordon Parks photographs). Harvey—a 2023 Parks fellow—shared: “Tonight’s gala has left me with hope and additional strategies for overcoming oppression.” Coney-Ali greed: “I think tonight has been exceptional. But hearing John Legend’s story about Selma, then and now, really just puts into perspective how much more work we all still have to do.”