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You are cordially invited to join us in celebrating the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 6:00pm at our Fuel the Future: Take Center Stage Gala!

In recognition of the 15^th anniversary of our building’s opening and what would have been August Wilson’s 80^th birthday, this year’s Gala festivities will be held in our iconic facility at 980 Liberty Avenue. We will celebrate Wilson’s ongoing legacy and highlight the Center’s world class programming, on stage and in our galleries.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025

FUEL THE FUTURE: TAKE CENTER STAGE GALA at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center – 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

This unforgettable evening will feature:

• A curated dinner experience
• Luminary Awards for three renowned artists with roots in Pittsburgh: Antoine Fuqua, Lamman Rucker, and Tamara Tunie.
• Trailblazer Awards for Pittsburgh-based leaders: Tenel Dorsey, Marlon Gist, Dr. Ayisha Morgan Lee, and Monica Malik.
• Guided gallery tours featuring the highly anticipated return of Peju Alatise’s Flying Girls sculpture installation.
• Captivating live performances
• And… more surprises to come!

Special thanks to presenting sponsor UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.

Become an Event Sponsor

Contact Chahni Peeples, Director, Corporate Partnerships for more information: cpeeples at awaacc.org or 412-930-0746.

Learn More About Sponsor Benefits

2025 Fuel the Future: Take Center Stage Gala Host Committee

Our host committee is currently in formation. Please check back soon or contact us if you’d like more information.

Co-Chairs
Derrick and Kelle Wilson

Corporate Chair
Kevin Walker, CEO, Duquesne Light Company

Aerion and Tamara Abney
Makayla & Emmai Alaquiva
Curtis Aiken
Khamil Bailey
Arthur L. Baldwin and the Honorable Cynthia A. Baldwin
Alison & Andrew Beam, UPMC
Jerad Bechar
Barata and Tammy Bey
Janis Burley and Erwin Campbell
Kanika and Jeff Capel
Debra Caplan
Jackie Dixon
Malesia Dunn
Dr. Edmund D. Effort DDS
Gretchen & William Generett Jr.
Keri Harmicar and David Benjamin Seman
Denise & Cain Hayes
Anna Hollis & Gregg Kander
Andrea T. & Glenn R. Mahone
David and Luci Massaro
Tracey McCants Lewis
Crystal McCormick Ware
Kenneth and Pamela McCrory
Sabrina Saunders Mosby and Brandon Mosby
Danielle Parson
Andre Perry
Herky Pollock and Lisa Acquaviva Pollock
Darlene L. and Robert J. Powell
Caryn Rubinoff and Craig Dunham
Howard and April Russell
Shiv K. Sethi
Felicia E. Snead
Neicy and Mark Clayton Southers
Morton Stanfield
Denise Turner
Jeremy Waldrup
Mike Walker
Dr Wayne Walters
Geovette Washington and Jeffrey Robinson
Constanza Romero Wilson
Elise Yanders