The Gordon Parks Foundation hosted their annual gala at Cipriani’s Wall Street, Tuesday, hosted by foundation co-chairs Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, husband rap artist/producer Swizz Beatz, designer Donna Karan and Karl Lagerfeld.
The Gordon Parks Foundation honors individuals who have contributed their lives to the arts. Permanently preserving the work of Parks (who was a musician, writer, photojournalist, and filmmaker best known for his directing work on the 1971 film Shaft), Tuesday’s honorees included filmmaker George Lucas and wife Mellody Hobson who were presented with the foundation’s first ever Gordon Parks Patron of the Arts Award, as well as Grammy Award-winning American jazz trumpeter and bandleader Irvin Mayfield, who was introduced by news anchor Soledad O’ Brien, Artist. Also photographer Lorna Simpson was introduced by Gordon Park’s daughter Leslie Parks, Fashion Designer Vera Wang, introduced by Chelsea Clinton, and Filmmaker/ producer Ed Zwick were in attendance as well.
Other attendees included Amar’e Stoudemire and wife Alexis, Adrienne Bailon, former New York mayor David Dinkins, Gayle King, model Chrissy Teigen, who turned heads with her revealing sheer dress, and Russell Simmons.
Janelle Monae gave a special guest musical performance to those in attendance.
The funds raised during last night’s benefit will allow the Foundation to continue to grow its educational scholarship program and to continue to make Gordon Parks’ work available to schools, museums and communities around the world.
