The 2025 Gordon Parks Foundation Gala Honors Anna WinTour – ryan

Photo: Getty Images for Gordon Parks Fo

“Pleas, Pleas, please Fight the Powers that be, “Trailblazing model and Activist Bethann Hardison Said Last Night in Her Acceptance Speech at the Gordon Parks Foundation Spring Gala, Quoting Public Enemy’s 1989 Resistance Anthem. Hardison, One of the World’s First High-Profile Black Models, was present with the 2025 Gordon Parks Award for Her Five-Decades-Long Commitment to Championship in the Fashion Industry. She received the Award Alongside Vogue‘S Anna WinTour, Contemporary Artist Rashid Johnson, and Civil-Rights Leader and Forms Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, WHO HAVE ALL “ENRICHED LIVES IN WAYS THAT REFLECT’S AND Goals by USING CREATIES TO THE NEXT GENERATION,” Foundation.

The Annual Awards Ceremony and Auction – Which Celebrates The Life and Legacy of Life Magazine’s first-government Black Photographer, Gordon Parks, Whose Work Captured Civil-Rights Issues and Race Relations in the 1950s and ’60s-Comes Just Four After Donald Trump Signed An Executive Order to Roll Back DIVERSITY, EQUity, and Inclusions Inclusions Federals Federals Federals Federals Federals agencies.

Peter W. Kunhardt Jr., Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Foundation, Echoed Hardison’s Sentup in His Opening Remarks: “Tonight May Be the first time that that gala is the critical one we’ve he held Faced, Determined to Prevent Progress, to Erase History, and to Silence the Voices that Challenge Injustice. “

Kunhardt’s Late Grandfather, Philip B. Kunhardt Jr., Co-Founded the Foundation with Parks, His Best Friend and Life Magazine Colleague, in 2006. Its mission is to “Support and Produce Artistic and Educational Initiatives that Advance the Legacy and Vision” of the Groundbreaking Photographer. Everyise Year, 100 Percent of the Proceeds Raised During the Awards ceremony and Auction Go Toward Scholarship and Fellowship Programs for Rising Talent What Are “Breaking Barriers; Telling Urgents, Stories; Last Night’s Event Raised a Record-Breaking $ 3 million.

on Despite Vogue‘s History of Controversial Editorial Spreads – Including the April 2008 Cover Featuring Gisele Bündchen and Lebron James, Karlie Kloss’s Geisha Shoot, The February 2021 Kamala Harris Cover, and the March 202 Kim Kardashian Cover – and Complaints of racism in the workplace (Which WinTour Vaguely Acknowledged During Her Acceptance Speech), WinTour emphasized Her Commitment to Platforming Black Artists.

“It ‘si intercidophul to the company of the incredible Fellow Honorees, and it’s practically significant, at this time, when diversity and inclusivity is under attack. Very meaningful to me, follow the opensing of our omit at the Museum, ‘Superfine,’ that haen so well received, which is Also wonderful to see the times, ‘she told the cut on the red carpet. “Anyding i can do to support and be an allry to the black community at this time, i intend to do.”

Andra day, who performed the ceremony, Said on the red carpet that she “treasures” the opportunity to honor legends like parks as those who were footsteps. “We don’t want to miss out on these treasures Because of Somebody’s Politics. Tonight is a good reminder to me that we need to continue the work – Becauses like Basic Rights.”