2025 Apollo Spring Benefit

Kwanza brought bold energy and vision to the 2025 Apollo Spring Benefit. As Premier Sponsor through the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative and longtime Board Member, she helped shape a historic evening marking the final Benefit before the Apollo’s first full-scale renovation in nearly a century.

Kwanza took the stage to introduce the first-ever Innovator Award, spotlighting The Apollo as a space where "culture is created, always imitated, never duplicated."

She later joined fashion icon Dapper Dan and actress-comedian Sherri Shepherd to present the award to honoree Teyana Taylor, celebrating fearless artistry and bold moves.

From her words to her presence to her signature style, Kwanza made it clear: innovation is fueled by community, creativity, and the courage to dream in decades.

The Spring Benefit, Apollo’s signature fundraiser, is a spectacular celebration of the Theater’s rich legacy and its commitment to its future as a mission-led arts and cultural organization, a community anchor, and an economic driver for Harlem and New York City.

The Apollo Theater has served as the cornerstone for supporting artists in art, film, music, and dance. It is a cultural institution that has provided a place where voices are elevated and experiences are created. It’s not just teaching art. It’s teaching people about art.

It's a place deeply connected to Kwanza's artistic journey. From performing there as a college student to helping shape its future, she continues to champion the Apollo’s legacy as a cultural institution that uplifts voices and drives change.