Teyana Taylor is getting her flowers.
According to Vibe, the Honey: Rise Up and Dance star is set to be honored at the Apollo Theater’s annual Spring Benefit on June 4, 2025, where she will receive the inaugural Innovator Award for her groundbreaking contributions to music, film, and culture.
In addition to Teyana, legendary music executive Clive Davis will be honored with the Legacy Award and inducted into the Apollo’s iconic Walk of Fame. Comedian and actress Kym Whitley will host the event.
The affair will also feature a tribute to the late Richard Parsons, with an appearance by eight-time Grammy nominee, The Baylor Project.
Additionally, special musical tributes honoring Clive Davis will be delivered by Deborah Cox, Shoshana Bean, and more, with Monica set to present his award.
“Growing up in Harlem, The Apollo has always been a source of inspiration and Black excellence,” Teyana said in a statement. “Being honored in my hometown, by this iconic institution, is beyond anything I could have dreamed.”
“To be recognized by The Apollo, an institution that has launched and celebrated so many of the artists I’ve admired and worked with throughout my career, is deeply meaningful to me,” added Clive. “I am truly honored to receive the Legacy Award and to join The Apollo’s Walk of Fame.”
The 2025 Spring Benefit will celebrate the role The Apollo has played in the lives of Black artists in the culture.
This event marks the last fundraiser held in the iconic theater before the institution embarks on its first full-scale renovation and modernization in 90 years, which fans will get a preview of at the event.
Martha Redbone and Avery Sunshine will kick off the benefit show, which will be musically directed by Adam Blackstone. A performance by Camille A. Brown has also been confirmed for the evening.
“For generations, The Apollo has been a beacon of culture and community in Harlem and around the world,” explained Michelle Ebanks, President & CEO of The Apollo.
“This year’s Spring Benefit is a celebration of that legacy and the artists and visionaries shaping what’s next. It marks the final time audiences will experience our legendary theater as it stands today, before we begin the first full-scale renovation in our 90-year history,” she added.
“As we honor the past and embrace a bold future, this evening will uplift the trailblazers who have shaped The Apollo and offer a powerful glimpse into the renaissance to come.”
