Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of the Gordon Parks Gala, themed “Art as Activism.”
The evening, held on May 19th, honored the legacy of photographer and filmmaker, Gordon Parks, a pioneering voice in storytelling. The celebration recognized honorees John Legend, Elizabeth Alexander, Chance the Rapper, Henry Taylor, and Lonnie Ali, the wife of the late Muhammad Ali.
The night highlighted Parks’ 1966 portrait of a sweat-drenched Ali, his longtime friend and collaborator. Performances included Chance the Rapper, who was joined by The Anthony Morgan Inspirational Choir of Harlem. John Legend, introduced by Salamishah Tillet and Pharrell Williams, reflected on his 2014 song, Glory, in collaboration with hip-hop artist, Common, and its continued relevance in the fight for justice.
L-R: Former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick embraces Lonnie Ali, widow of Muhammad Ali, onstage as she is honored during the gala dinner and auction; Chance the Rapper, joined by The Anthony Morgan Inspirational Choir of Harlem, performs; and John Legend speaks onstage during The Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction 2026 at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 19, 2026, in New York City – Photo: Getty Images
Peter W. Kunhardt Jr., Executive Director of The Gordon Parks Foundation, spoke on preserving Parks’ legacy and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts. He later presented co-chairs Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, with a portrait of Gordon Parks by Derrick Adams, honoring their 15 years of service to the organization.
A powerful evening highlighting how art, photography, and activism can tell powerful stories- preserving legacies and its cultural impact.
About Gordon Parks
Parks was an American photographer, filmmaker, and writer, who was known for documenting social issues through powerful storytelling images.
He began his photography career in the late 1930s after buying a camera in Chicago and teaching himself how to use it. In 1942, he became the first African American photographer hired by the Farm Security Administration, where he captured images of poverty and everyday life in America.
Images of legendary photographer and filmmaker, Gordon Parks; Photo Credit: Gordon Parks
In 1948, he joined Life magazine as its first Black staff photographer, where he created some of his most well-known photo essays on civil rights, culture, and American life. He later expanded his talent into filmmaking, becoming the first major Black director in Hollywood with The Learning Tree (1969), followed by the 1971 film Shaft, starring the late Richard Roundtree. Those films helped define the Blaxploitation era in cinema.
Parks’ legacy is rooted in his belief that “the common denominator of all humanity is pain,” and his work remains influential in photojournalism, film, and visual storytelling today.
Mission of the Gordon Parks Foundation
The Gordon Parks Foundation, which was established in 2006, preserves Gordon Parks’ legacy by protecting, organizing, and sharing his work for future generations.
The foundation maintains his photographic archive, including thousands of images, negatives, and personal papers. It also promotes education and public awareness through exhibitions, publications, scholarships, and fellowships for emerging artists and photographers.
Photography images of some of Gordon Parks work; Photo Credit: Gordon Parks
Through programs, partnerships, and public events like the Gordon Parks Gala, the foundation continues Parks’ mission of using art to highlight social issues, inspire creativity, and tell stories that reflect justice, dignity, and culture.
