A host of celebrities and entertainers attended The Apollo Theater’s 2025 Spring Benefit on Wednesday night.
The theater honored singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, and Harlem native Teyana Taylor with the Innovator Award, and record executive Clive Davis with the Legacy Award. Davis was also inducted into The Apollo’s Walk of Fame.
This year’s benefit marked The Apollo’s final before the theater closes for full-scale renovations.
Michelle Ebanks, President and CEO of The Apollo, kicked off the show by highlighting the upcoming renovations. She was joined by Charles Phillips, Chair of The Apollo Board of Directors, to announce a $2.5 million contribution from Bloomberg Philanthropies in support of the theater’s ongoing community and education initiatives.
“We’re incredibly excited for this next transformational phase,” Ebanks said. “There will be new orchestra seats, enhanced acoustics, fully modernized lighting and sound systems, and—for the performers—enhanced dressing rooms and state-of-the-art backstage facilities. And lastly, the renovations include a full restoration of our iconic Apollo Theater marquee.”
Comedian and actress Kym Whitley served as host for the evening.
Photos by Shahar Azran/Ivan Piedra/Denise Stephanie for The Apollo
Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Martha Redbone, and Avery Sunshine opened this year’s benefit. Deborah Cox, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, and Adam Blackstone—who also served as musical director—performed, along with The Baylor Project and Shoshana Bean.
Fashion icon and designer Dapper Dan joined Sherri Shepherd on stage to present Taylor with the inaugural Innovator Award. During her acceptance speech, Taylor described the honor as a full-circle moment, recalling her first performance at The Apollo when she was eight years old.
“Thank you for the village you have placed in my life. I’m filled with so much gratitude,” she said.
Singer-songwriter and producer Babyface joined singer Monica to present Davis with the Legacy Award. In his acceptance speech, Davis reflected on his decades-long career working with legendary artists including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Miles Davis, and Gil Scott-Heron.
Photos by Shahar Azran/Ivan Piedra/Denise Stephanie for The Apollo
“Receiving the Legacy Award and being inducted into the Walk of Fame is a true cultural treasure,” Davis said. “Black music is an essential part of American culture. I’m so proud to have played a role in helping bring previously unheard voices to the world.”
Rev. Al Sharpton also offered remarks in memory of close friend Richard Parsons, who served as Chairman of The Apollo’s Board of Directors from 1999 to 2020. Parsons, who also served as Chairman of Citigroup and Chairman and CEO of Time Warner, passed away in 2024 at the age of 76.
Following the concert, guests attended an after-party featuring music by DJ D-Nice in a specially designed tent by Apollo board member Bronson van Wyck, located at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building Plaza. There were surprise performances by Deborah Cox, Black Sheep, Meli’sa Morgan, and Jean Norris-Baylor of Zhané.