A new generation of young professionals and philanthropists gathered in the Hamptons during early August to celebrate the Apollo Theater, one of the nation's most significant cultural institutions, while raising funds to support Black artists and creatives across the country.
The inaugural summer event took place in Sag Harbor, a historic beach community with deep roots in Black American culture. The afternoon unfolded across two prestigious residences, beginning at the home of Veronica Graves, a residence that carries particular significance in the history of Apollo patronage. The house was built more than five decades ago by Graves' grandfather, Earl G. Graves Sr., the founder of Black Enterprise magazine, and the family first hosted an Apollo fundraiser in the Hamptons half a century ago. Guests then moved to the residence of Ashley Oden, whose family has maintained a summer home in Sag Harbor for nearly twenty years.
The event brought together eight young co-chairs—Oden, Graves, Kenneth Chenault II, Sophia Dennis, Marley Pavlin, Charles Phillips III, D'Aundre Getachew, and Olivia Heard—along with attendees working across major industries and corporations including Google, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase. Despite their varied professional backgrounds, the group shared a unified commitment to supporting cultural institutions that serve and amplify Black voices in America.
Oden, who works as a product marketing manager at Google, articulated why her generation feels compelled to invest in the Apollo's mission. She emphasized that the theater was originally established as a sanctuary designed to protect, elevate, and amplify the work of Black creative professionals. In the current cultural climate, where Black spaces and histories face renewed challenges, institutions like the Apollo function as essential anchors for the community. For younger supporters, backing such organizations represents more than historical preservation—it constitutes an active investment in the future of Black artistic expression and cultural self-determination.
Graves, who serves as a brand strategist for the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program, stressed the symbolic connection between Sag Harbor and the Apollo Theater. Both have long functioned as vital spaces of safety, community building, and cultural refuge for Black Americans. Sag Harbor stands as one of the few predominantly Black beach communities and safe havens in the country, making it a fitting location to celebrate an institution that has played a similar role in urban cultural life.
Sophia Dennis, who leads operations for Beautycon, articulated the perspective of her peers regarding cultural institutions. She stressed that culture represents perhaps the most valuable commodity in society, regardless of its economic quantification. Creating spaces where artists can develop their work, exhibit their talents, and ensure that cultural heritage endures for future generations remains paramount. Dennis noted that her generation possesses both the financial resources and contemporary knowledge necessary to actively participate in and strengthen these vital cultural spaces.
The gathering functioned as both celebration and fundraiser, with attendees enjoying the summer atmosphere while deepening their engagement with the Apollo's work. For many of the younger patrons present, the event marked an early foray into formal philanthropic work, offering an opportunity to align their professional identities with the cultural causes that matter most to them. As they progress through their careers, supporting institutions like the Apollo appears increasingly central to how they envision contributing to their communities.
Source: Essence | Published: Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:26:39
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