GAL APPROVED! Figure Skating In Harlem Celebrates The Talent Of Young People
By The DivaGals | May 9, 2025 | Diva Approved
As April gently bowed out, Figure Skating in Harlem, a beacon of grace right in the heart of New York, held its 2025 Reaching for the Stars gala. Around 400 people were welcomed to the glamorous Ziegfeld Ballroom on April 30 to raise funds for this wonderful organization, which has captured the heart of America with its story so beautifully told in the HARLEM ICE series on Disney+, produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and the lovely Robin Roberts.
The radiant and fresh from outer space Gayle King, a voice we all know and trust from CBS Mornings, was there, along with visionary designer Vera Wang, Ilia Malinin, a world champion on ice, graced the night with his presence, along the golden duo, Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Adriana Diaz from CBS Mornings emceed the night.
The reason for such a gathering? To honor some truly special people. Gayle King was there to cheer on her dear friend and colleague, Vladimir Duthiers, another bright star at CBS Mornings. He was recognized, along with the kind-hearted Candace and Bruce Matthews, a philanthropic couple, and the wonderful Bloomberg Philanthropies, represented by the dedicated Erana Stennett.
The tributes were just as heartwarming. The talented Tamara Tunie shared her admiration through a sweet video, and the generous Ann M. Fudge spoke with grace, as did the insightful Jericka Duncan from CBS News. They even took a moment to acknowledge the remarkable Tenley E. Albright, a pioneer on Olympic ice. The young voices of the Figure Skating in Harlem Spoken Word team filled the air, and we heard from Zenzile Imani Tonge, a shining alumna, the steadfast Board Chair Tina Lundgren, and the inspiring Sharon Cohen, the heart and soul of it all.
The evening was a remarkable success, raising a staggering $1.2 million. This will nurture their programs for the coming year, helping the nearly two thousand girls and young women they’ve touched over the past 28 years. They offer not just the beauty of figure skating, but also the strength of education and leadership, in Harlem and across New York City. It indeed was a night filled with loveliness and purpose.
Photo credit: Udo Salters Photography, Amanne Media
