Dubbed the “Met Gala of the South,” the David C. Driskell Prize Gala is an annual event that celebrates the recipient of the Driskell Prize in African American Art and Art History, the first national prize to recognize the importance of contributions to African American art by Black artists and scholars. 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the prize, which has honored a generation of influential voices in art and art history.
The 2025 Driskell Prize was awarded to acclaimed sculptor and mixed-media artist Alison Saar, whose work explores identity, history and the African diaspora. The milestone year brought together over 350 guests, including artists, cultural leaders, celebrities, and civic leaders for a red carpet reception, seated dinner, and remarks by the High Museum of Art’s Director Rand Suffolk, who announced that the museum will present Amy Sherald: American Sublime—a major retrospective of the Georgia native and 2018 Driskell Prize winner—in Spring 2026. The evening also featured a special live performance by EGOT-winning musician John Legend, culminating in the second annual Driskell After Party featuring DJ D-Nice. The 2025 award was designed by David Yurman, founder of the iconic American jewelry house.
HOST COMMITTEE: Lauren Amos; Taroue W. Brooks; Nikki and Paul Crump; Brooke and Rod Edmond; Lillian and Greg Giornelli; Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter; Kent Kelley; Dr. Kevin “Coach K” Lee; Cheryl Berry Neal; Natalye and Marc Paquin; Wade Rakes; Sylvia Russell; Louise Sams and Jerome Grilhot; Hassan K. Smith; Brenda and Larry Thompson; Sunda and G. Scott Uzzell; Zak and Robyn Wallace; Dawanna Williams Wedderburn
CHAIR: Charlene Crusoe-Ingram
VIP GUESTS: Liz Andrews (curator); Storm Ascher (artist); Charles Blow (journalist); Adrienne L. Childs (2022 Driskell winner); Karen Comer Lowe (curator); Patrick Eugene (artist); Genevieve Gaignard (artist); Robin Givhan (writer); Chase Hall (artist); Derrick Jones (DJ D-Nice); John Legend (musician); Dr. Kevin “Coach K” Lee; Martin Luther King III; Melissa Messina (curator); Alison Saar (Honoree); Tariku Shiferaw (artist); Dr. Joy Simmons (collector); Zak Wallace (Producer); David & Sybil Yurman.
