This past weekend, Apollo in the Hamptons lit up the East End with a spectacular evening dedicated to Black excellence, creativity, and community impact. The benefit brought together leading voices from entertainment, philanthropy, business, and politics in support of The Apollo’s year-round artistic and educational programs, as well as the theater’s first full-scale renovation and restoration of its historic Harlem home.
Hosted at EHP Resort & Marina’s Si Si Restaurant, the night unfolded with a lineup of unforgettable performances. Doug E. Fresh, Crystal Waters, Wé Ani, Dres, and Chubb Rock electrified the stage, while DJ Cassidy’s set kept guests on their feet late into the night. Iconic New York music collective Café Wha? added their own magic, delivering a genre-spanning tribute to Harlem and The Apollo’s legendary stage.
In addition to its musical highlights, the event spotlighted The Apollo’s mission of expanding access to the arts and amplifying Black voices across generations. Remarks from Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Joy Profet, and Charles E. Phillips emphasized the importance of The Apollo’s work in Harlem and beyond, including programs nurturing emerging artists, youth mentorship, and cultural leadership initiatives — all while stewarding the theater’s historic renovation.
Among the notable attendees were Michelle Ebanks, President & CEO, The Apollo; Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer, The Apollo; Joy Profet, Chief Growth Officer, The Apollo; Tysus Jackson, Chief Development Officer; Star Jones, media personality and philanthropist; Gayle King, author, broadcast journalist, and philanthropist; and Leon, actor and musician.
The evening was made possible thanks to sponsors including The Phillips, Gibson and Dunn/Orin Snyder, Nina & Frank Cooper/VISA, and Tameem Hourani, along with steadfast support from The Apollo Board of Directors: Board Chair Charles E. Phillips, Board Vice Chair Patricia M. Zollar, Aaron Holiday, Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Mark Getachew, Derek Jones, Racquel Oden, Karen L. Pavlin, Carlos Whitaker, and Dawana Williams.
Since 1934, The Apollo has been the stage where legends are made — from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown to Lauryn Hill. Today, it continues to honor this history while driving a bold new vision for the future of American culture.
To learn more or to support The Apollo’s mission, visit apollotheater.org.
[Photo credit: Danté Crichlow for The Apollo]
