“2019 Celebration of the Creative Spirit” Scholarship Benefit Gala

Honorary Chairs

Douglass Baxter, David N. Dinkins, Carla Hall, Bethann Hardison, Brian Hastings

Honorees

Frank Stella | Renowned Artist – Lifetime of Artistic Excellence Award | Presenter: Sarah Morris, Artist
Demna Gvasalia | Creative Director, Balenciaga – Creative Spirit Award
DeMonty Price | President, Chief Operating, Service and Values Officer, RH – Creative Spirit Corporate
Leadership Award | Presenter: Susan Chokachi, President & CEO, Gucci Americas
Alexander Smalls | Restaurateur, Chef & Author – Creative Spirit Award | Presenter: Cicely Tyson

MC

Lori Stokes, Anchor, FOX 5 Good Day New York

Reception: 6:30 PM
Dinner & Awards Program: 7:30 PM
Dessert After-Party: until 11 PM
Festive Attire

RSVP

African-Americans and Hispanics are still significantly underrepresented in the fields of art and design. The former comprises roughly 8%, while the latter compose but half of this percentage. Architecture, advertising, fashion, industrial and interior design, fine arts, film and the digital arts similarly reveal a marginalized minority work force.

In 1990 a humble group of Pratt Institute alumni established a vehicle for providing much needed financial support and mentorship opportunities for students of African and Latino descent, and The Black Alumni of Pratt (BAP) was established. BAP’s mission is to advance scholastic and career opportunities for students and graduates of African and Latino descent. This is accomplished through BAP initiatives, which include: High School Career Day, the Alumni Day reception, special recognition/cultivation and fundraising events.

Over the course of 28 years, BAP has raised more than $5 million to further our efforts in providing for highly talented African-American and Latino students looking to pursue a higher education in the field of art and design. To date, 13 full scholarships, 23 partial scholarships, and more than 1,000 stipends have been awarded, in addition to establishing an endowed scholarship fund. BAP remains dedicated to empowering African American and Hispanic students by improving these odds.

Funds raised from this 28th annual celebration will, in part, assist BAP to continue providing talented students of African and Latino descent stipends and scholarships. In turn, The Black Alumni of Pratt will assist in providing a diverse talent pool in the fields of Art, Architecture, Communication, Interior and Fashion Design, and the Liberal Arts.