Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll to Serve as Honorary Chair; Fenway Sports Management President Mark Lev to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award for Transformative Impact Across Industries
BOSTON, MA – (April 22, 2026) – The Boston Arts Academy Foundation, a vital 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization, proudly presents its annual star-studded BAAF HONORS event with the theme “Come Dream With Us: A Masquerade Ball,” on Thursday, Oct. 22, at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll will serve as the Honorary Chair championing the message that an arts education is essential. Co-Chairs overseeing the foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year are philanthropists Jill and Dean Bosco. Jill, Managing Principal, CLA Southern New England and a new member of BAAF Board of Directors, joins husband Dean Bosco, Principal, CLA Wealth Advisors, both passionate supporters of the performing arts, in leading this prestigious event honoring leaders in TV & Film, Civic Responsibility, Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Fashion.
“Talent is everywhere in Boston, but access and opportunity still are not—and that’s where our community makes all the difference,” said Denella Clark, President and CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation.“ We are deeply grateful to the donors and partners who continue to invest in our students, opening doors to transformative experiences that shape their futures. HONORS remains a powerful and inspiring evening where we celebrate the arts, elevate visionary leaders, and reaffirm our commitment to the next generation of creative voices.”
This year’s HONORS will immerse guests in the boundless creativity of Boston Arts Academy, the city’s only public high school for the performing arts. Inspired by an artistic masquerade theme, the evening will celebrate each discipline—from visual arts to music and design—through a visually stunning and imaginative experience. Guests will be treated to dynamic student-led performances, exceptional cuisine, and curated cocktails, all set within a magical, art-infused atmosphere that captures the spirit and brilliance of Boston’s next generation of creative leaders.
The prestigious 2026 BAAF HONORS honorees includes: John Lam (Dance); Daniela Corte (Fashion); Ken Fulk (Visual Arts); Stephanie Tavares-Rance and Floyd Rance (TV+ Film); Jennifer Holliday (Music); Candice Stover (Civic Responsibility) and Mark Lev (Lifetime Achievement.)
About 2026 Honorees:
- Dance – John Lam – Renowned Vietnamese-American and former Boston Ballet principal dancer is an Associate Professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Founder of LamDanceWorks. Following a 20-year performance career, Lam now teaches ballet technique, contemporary repertory, and directs rehearsals at the Conservatory.
- Fashion – Daniela Corte – Award-winning Boston-based fashion designer whose namesake brand has set a standard for sustainable, small-batch womenswear for over 25 years. Born in Argentina, she founded her line in 2000 alongside a team of female Latinx artisans, creating thoughtfully crafted garments that prioritize quality, individuality, and human connection over mass production. With a studio in Waltham and a boutique at Raffles Boston, her work blends timeless elegance with modern function—designed to empower women through intentional, beautifully made pieces.
- Visual Arts – Ken Fulk – Celebrated global interior designer, builder and arts patron, Fulk has reimagined how we gather in a contemporary world by leading the creation of restaurants, hotels and modern-day social clubs including The ‘Quin House and Contessa in Boston. In 2018, Fulk founded Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, a non-profit dedicated to supporting local artists and creatives at revitalized historic landmarks in San Francisco and Provincetown, Mass. Christened “The Incredible Fulk” by The Economist, Fulk has been a fixture on Architectural Digest’s AD100, Elle Decor’s A-List and Luxe’s Gold List.
- TV + Film – Stephanie Tavares-Rance and Floyd Rance – Founders of the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF), Floyd is a professionally trained cinematographer and Stephanie is a former corporate marketing executive who built a dynamic career across music, media, and major brands before transitioning into film and cultural production. Stephanie and Floyd co-founded Run & Shoot Filmworks in 2000 and later launched the MVAAFF, a leading platform for diverse storytelling. In 2014, the MVAAFF previewed HBO series The Knick and ABCs, Black-ish. In 2018, the MVAAFF was accepted as an Oscar qualifying festival in the short film category. The couple continues to shape arts and community spaces through nonprofit leadership and board service, earning recognition for their impact in equity, media, and cultural innovation.
- Music – Jennifer Holliday – Grammy and Tony award winning American singer and actress best known for her role as Effie Melody White in the original smash Broadway production of Dreamgirls (1981), Holliday is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the cultural phenomenon in 2026. Her powerhouse performance of “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going” became her signature song, earning her a Grammy Award. She has an honorary Doctor of Music Degree from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, has appeared on TV ( Ally McBeal), returned to Broadway in The Color Purple (2016), and has released several albums.
- Civic Responsibility – Candice Stover – General Manager of New England Global Sales at Delta Air Lines, responsible for setting and executing the commercial strategy for Boston and the greater New England region. Under her leadership, Boston has emerged as one of Delta’s most profitable coastal hubs and the region’s leading airline, delivering record-setting performance. Candice has been instrumental in strengthening Delta’s brand and influence in Boston through strategic partnerships, enterprise-level collaboration, and community engagement. Her leadership extends beyond the enterprise through service on the Executive Board of Junior Achievement of Greater Boston and the General Board of the YMCA of Greater Boston. Candice is a 3x winner of the Delta Global Sales Excellence award, which represents the top 10% in the organization.
- Lifetime Achievement: Mark Lev – President & CEO, Boston Common Golf – part of Fenway Sports Group’s (FSG) portfolio of iconic sports, media and entertainment properties which includes the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, New England Sports Network and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. A highly regarded leader in the sports and entertainment industry, Mark most recently served as President of Fenway Sports Management – the sports marketing and entrepreneurial arm of Fenway Sports Group – where he spent more than two decades forging strategic partnerships and driving commercial growth for FSG, while also presenting a collection of marquee sporting events in one of the world’s most iconic venues, Fenway Park. He is a strong advocate for leveraging sports and culture as platforms for connection, innovation, and social good. He also serves as a Board Director of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, where he is a dedicated ambassador, championing opportunities for young artists and helping to further the organization’s mission.
For additional information about the Boston Arts Academy, Boston Arts Academy Foundation, the 2026 Honors Event on October 22nd, or to purchase tickets, sponsorships, or place an ad, visit www.baafhonors.org.
Media Contact: Regan Communications Group:
Doug Haslam – [email protected] (617) 851-1968
Erin Gourley – [email protected] (646) 357-2293
