About the Gala

The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation marked its launch with a gala celebration to serve as a collective moment of reflection on the life and legacy of the civil rights icon John Lewis and also celebrate his and Lillian Miles Lewis’ shared vision and values. The event has raised critical funds necessary to underwrite initiatives that advance the values John and Lillian Lewis lived.

Gala Recap

The inaugural JLMLF Gala was hosted by Academy Award nominated actress Alfre Woodard with remarks from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leaders Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, Foundation interim President and CEO Linda Earley Chastang, Gala Chair and Microsoft Corporate Vice president of US Government Affairs FrederickS. Humphries, Jr. Robert F.Kennedy Human Rights President Kerry Kennedy, and Sens. Jon Ossof and Raphel Warnock.Additionally, journalist and civil rights activist Charlayne Hunter-Gault debuted the foundation’s Good Trouble Talk with Grammy Award- winning musical artist Common, who then closed out the event with a musical artist performance. Juan Winans also performed; and John R.Lewis H.S Student Charles Childeres delivered a spoken word tribute.

In addition to Humphries, Woodard and Kennedy, event co-chairs included Georgia Power Chairman, President and CEO Chris Womack, Altana Falcons Owner and Home Depot Co-Founder Arthur M.Blank and John and Lillian Miles Lewis’s son John-Miles Lewis.