Health, Hope & Hip-Hop

Hip Hope Ball — A Celebration to Ignite Change

The Hip Hope Ball is more than a black-tie gala — it is a movement rooted in purpose, culture, and community impact. Created by the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation (HH&HH), the Ball was designed to bring together leaders from healthcare, business, government, philanthropy, entertainment, and grassroots advocacy to confront health disparities affecting underserved communities.

By blending the influence of hip-hop culture with health equity advocacy, the Hip Hope Ball creates a powerful space where awareness turns into action, partnerships become solutions, and celebration fuels change. Every dollar raised supports HH&HH's year-round efforts in health literacy, early detection awareness, patient advocacy, and community wellness — including the annual Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Block Party, a free public health and cultural activation serving the community directly.

While the evening embraces a black-tie atmosphere, guests are also encouraged to express themselves authentically through fashion inspired by the Golden Era of Hip-Hop — the iconic mid-1980s through mid-1990s era that shaped culture, creativity, individuality, and influence around the world. The Hip Hope Ball celebrates not only elegance, but authenticity, legacy, and the cultural spirit that continues to inspire change today.

Looking Back

2nd Annual Ball — Recap

Saturday, March 14, 2026 · The Queen, Wilmington, Delaware

Event Program

6:00 PM
Doors Open / VIP Mixer
8:00 PM
Welcome
Speakers
Shanelle Gabriel
Host
Shanelle Gabriel
Apostle Frank Burton Jr.
Opening Prayer
Apostle Frank Burton Jr.
Richard Raw
Guest Speaker
Richard Raw
Nicole Duncan-Smith
Spoken Word
Nicole Duncan-Smith
Joe McDonough
Guest Speaker
Joe McDonough
Phillip Davis
Tribute to Philadelphia Freeway
Phillip Davis
Oya Gilbert
CEO Remarks
Oya Gilbert
DJ Timdogg
Event DJ
DJ Timdogg
Awards
Logan Herring Sr.
Staple of the Streets Award
Logan Herring Sr.
Chandra Pitts
Staple of the Streets Award
Chandra Pitts
Philadelphia Freeway
Recognition of the Real Award
Philadelphia Freeway
Maria Davis
Lifetime Advocacy Achievement Award
Maria Davis
Award
Collab of the Year Award
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
9:45 PM
Big Daddy Kane — LIVE
Big Daddy Kane
Headlining Performance
10:00 PM
After Party
11:00 PM
Event Concludes
Presented by Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation www.healthhopehiphop.org
Mad Love & Gratitude to Our

Sponsors

Platinum
Pfizer
Pfizer
Silver
Johnson
                                    & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Bronze
Bristol
                                    Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb
Community Impact
Sanofi
Sanofi
DART
DART Moving Forward
Gallery

Photos from the Ball

Photography by Sam Wilson Photography & Joe del Tufo