Hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur, Diddy, was honored with the Icon Award during the Apollo Theater’s 2023 Spring Benefit on Monday, June 12th.
Diddy took to Instagram on Saturday, June 10th, to celebrate the announcement.
“Harlem! Harlem!! Harlem!!! I’m coming home this Monday to receive the Apollo Theater Icon Award!! It’s up!!” According to Yahoo! News, Diddy invited everyone to join him in the celebration.
“And you know it’s up. So if you in the city, all the Harlemites, ya’ll know I ain’t got everybody’s number, but I plan on seeing you and drinks is on Diddy…The champ is coming back home. The King is coming back home. The son is coming back home. Harlem, Harlem, Harlem. I’m coming back home.”
Hosted by Kenan Thompson, after a three-year hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Apollo Theater brought its annual spring benefit event back in 2022. During that event, writer, director, and producer, Tyler Perry, was honored with the Impact Award, presented to him by legendary actress and comedian, Whoopi Goldberg.
Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was also honored with the Impact Award, with eyewear company, Warby Parker, receiving the corporate award. Special honors were also bestowed upon Apollo’s CEO, Jonelle Procope, who recently announced that she will be stepping down as president and CEO of the theater at the end of June. Michelle Ebanks, Essence Communications executive, will be taking the helm as Procope’s successor.
The Apollo Theater’s website notes “The Spring Benefit” to be the signature fundraiser of the historic landmark and theater. “The Spring Benefit […] 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 website highlights.
Special appearances were slated to be made by Wyclef Jean, MC Lyte, DJ D-Nice, Spike Lee, Gladys Knight, Ray Chew, and more. The non-profit’s performing arts, education, and community initiatives will be supported by proceeds from the event.