The Apollo Celebrates 90 Years With Usher, Babyface, and a Star-Studded Concert

"I've got Harlem on my mind" might be lyrics crooned by pioneering artist Ethel Waters in 1933, but those words continued to resonate this Tuesday night. Harlem's West 125th Street lit up as the famed Apollo Theater, a beacon of Black culture and history, celebrated its 2024 Spring Benefit. The annual celebration, a testament to the theater's 90 years of contributions to the American art canon, honors its past, present, and future. "The Apollo is not just a theater; it's our history, our culture,"** **Michelle Ebanks, Apollo President and CEO, passionately shares with Vogue.

Right outside the famed Apollo stage doors, VIPs like Doug E. Fresh, Johnny Gill, and Jordin Sparks took the red carpet as Harlem residents looked on, hoping to catch a glimpse of the night's honorees: Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Usher. In recognition of their contributions to culture, Babyface received the inaugural Legacy Award (he had also been inducted into The Apollo's Walk of Fame the day before), and Usher received the prestigious Icon Award. "Whatever I did in this lifetime, I hope means something in the next 90," Usher tells Vogue about how The Apollo has inspired his desire for his legacy.

Guests clad in everything from Louis Vuitton to Gaurav Gupta filled the neoclassical theater as the rhythmic pulse of music pulled them in. In true Apollo fashion, the night felt more like an exciting televised award show than a fundraising gala, with surprise performances, comedic hosting by Kym Whitley, moving speeches, audience participation, and even popcorn. Continuing with the award show motif, the standout moments of the evening were the moving tributes to Babyface and Usher. Members of premiere dance studio Bricktown NYC captivated the audience (and Usher, who gave the dancers a standing ovation), dancing to a medley of iconic hits by the Grammy Award-winner. Babyface's tribute had everyone on their feet, as a roster of established and emerging voices in R&B, like Avery Wilson, Leon Thomas, and Karyn White, delivered soul-stirring renditions of the singer-songwriter's biggest hits. The biggest treat of the night by far was Babyface serenading the crowd in a surprise performance.

The Apollo's Spring Benefit is not just an evening of entertainment but a significant contribution to the organization's multifaceted mission. The event supports year-round programs spanning artistic endeavors, educational initiatives, community engagement efforts, and a state-of-the-art new expansion project. After a night of dancing, laughter, and community, the benefit raised an impressive $3 million, a testament to the support and dedication of the Apollo community. But the night didn't end there. Hudson Horns ushered guests out of the theater in a grand procession to the highly anticipated afterparty, spun by DJ D-Nice — a true celebration of The Apollo's past, present, and sparkling future.