On Friday, May 10, 2024, the Studio Museum in Harlem welcomed more than 350 cultural leaders, art world luminaries, representatives of major media networks, business leaders and philanthropists to its annual spring luncheon.
This year’s luncheon honored Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Inclusion Strategy for Paramount, and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Nickelodeon Group, who has dedicated herself to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the media and entertainment industry. The annual luncheon celebrates and supports the Studio Museum’s education programs, including its signature teen program, Expanding the Walls, which explores photography through the lens of Harlem’s rich history.
“… a benchmark across industries for what’s possible in this world.”
The program included remarks by Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator; Marva Smalls; and Amunet Jones, a current Expanding the Walls participant. “Marva Smalls is a cherished member of the Studio Museum’s community,” Thelma Golden said. “On this occasion dedicated to our work in education, we honor Marva for an extraordinary career of creating opportunities for young people, empowering children and youth, and forging collaborations that improve people’s lives through the media. Always ready to move beyond what others think is possible, Marva’s career serves as a benchmark across industries for what’s possible in this world.”
The Studio Museum in Harlem and Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator, honored Marva Smalls, EVP, Global Head of Inclusion, Paramount, and EVP, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon Group; and welcomed J’Nelle Agee, Executive Director, Editorial, Ebony; Isolde Brielmaier, Deputy Director, New Museum; Tonya Lewis Lee, Film Producer; Lorna Simpson, Artist; Crystal McCrary McGuire; Annette Mitchell-Scott, Executive, ABC; Ming Smith, Photographer; Samira Nasr, Editor in Chief, Harper’s Bazaar; Lindsay Peoples, Editor in Chief, The Cut; Lynn Whitfield, Actress; Ebony L. Haynes, Artist; Al Roker, Co-Host, Today Show; and Deborah Roberts, TV personality, ABC; Nina Del Rio, Vice Chairman, Sotheby’s Advisory; Vanessa Williams, Actress; Michelle Ebanks, President and CEO, The Apollo; Sandra Jackson-Dumont, Director and CEO, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art; Glenn D. Lowry, Director, Museum of Modern Art.
Members of the Studio Museum’s Board of Trustees were also present, including Carol Sutton Lewis; Laura Day Baker; Kathryn Chenault; Joan S. Davidson; Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi; Victoria Rogers; and Lise Wilks, among many others.
Photo credit: 1-8) Bre Johnson/BFA.com.
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