Monday, May 18
7pm - 10pm
Rainbow Room

At a moment that calls for truth, human dignity, and a collective renaissance of art and justice, Harlem Stage invites you to gather with us at our Renaissance Gala 2026.

Founded on the belief that art is a fundamental right for ALL people, Harlem Stage exists to set untold stories free; an act of imagination, courage, and democracy. Your presence and commitment play a vital role in advancing truth and creative expression at this critical time.

Harlem Stage is proud to inaugurate the Agnes Gund Medal of Visionary Philanthropy in recognition of Agnes “Aggie” Gund’s transformational vision at the intersection of creative leadership and social impact. The medal will be accepted by her daughter Catherine Gund, and presented alongside global leaders and initiatives whose lives and work illuminate the most profound and enduring expressions of our shared humanity, including the 2026 Honorees: Courtney Lee-Mitchell, Board President, Harlem Stage, Fall of Freedom.

This communal celebration honors changemakers and initiatives that have reshaped our global narratives and includes unforgettable performances by extraordinary artists, Pauletta Washington, renowned actor and vocalist; Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre; Jacek Mysinski, internationally recognized concert pianist; and an excerpt from Harlem Stage’s first national tour, featured in The New York Times, Freedom Riders: A Journey with No End in Sight with a live musical score collaboratively composed and performed by piano virtuoso Arden Altino, genre-defying violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Grammy-nominated bassist and former Beyoncé musical director Divinity Roxx.

Join us to sustain the depth, integrity, and reach of Harlem Stage, and to carry forward the stories that remind us who we are and who we can become together.