Civil rights photographer and artist Gordon Parks’ legacy continues to expand today, even as the 20th anniversary of his death arrives on March 7.However, the Gordon Parks Foundation, which celebrates the same milestone this year, is finding it harder to fund its work inspired by the director of “The Learning Tree” and “Shaft.”Though Gordon Parks Foundation Executive Director Peter W.
Kunhardt, Jr., told The Associated Press that federal funding cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs have only had a limited direct impact on the foundation’s work due to a “strong base of supporters,” it isn’t immune to the changing, more competitive funding landscape that many arts-focused nonprofits now face.“We’re definitely sensitive to the fact the world has drastically changed and the arts and DEI and culture have definitely taken a hit,” said Kunhardt.That puts extra emphasis on fundraising events like the foundation’s gala -- its largest annual fundraising event – especially in a major anniversary year.The foundation said Tuesday it will honor EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) winner John Legend, Grammy winner Chance the Rapper, Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander, and artist Henry Taylor at its gala on May 19 in Manhattan.Advocate and philanthropist Lonnie Ali will also be honored at the event, accepting the award for her late husband Muhammad Ali, who was a longtime friend of Parks, and their entire family.“We need to preserve the past to inspire the future by honoring these individuals,” Kunhardt said.
“The particular people on this list for 20 years are very important because they represent many different disciplines that Gordon Parks focused in on and who have championed the arts and social justice.”Parks was best known for his work at Life magazine, documenting race relations and American life for decades as the magazine’s first Black staff photographer.He famously bought his first camera at a pawnshop and...