Ava DuVernay, Serena and Venus Williams And More Honored By Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
essence.comARRAY, activist for children’s rights, musical legend, and founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund, athletes and entrepreneurs will be honored alongside Anthony S.
Fauci, M.D., who gained national notoriety during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and respected culinary innovator José Andrés. “The Portrait of a Nation Award is an expression of gratitude for the leaders in our country who have made a difference and continue to advocate for a better future,” said Director of the National Portrait Gallery Kim Sajet in a statement to ESSENCE.
A gala will be held where the portraits will be unveiled for the first time at the Gallery in Washington, D.C. Chairs of the event include Kings of Napa creator Janine Sherman Barrois and Lyndon J.
Barrois. Proceeds from the event will “support the Portrait Gallery’s endowment for exhibitions, collections, commissions and education programs.” Previous Portrait of a Nation Award recipients include Henry “Hank” Aaron, Aretha Franklin, Maya Lin, David D.
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