Come Dream With Us
Masquerade Ball
Thursday, October 22, 2026
6:00 PM
MGM Music Hall at Fenway
An unforgettable evening celebrating visionary leaders, extraordinary artists, and the life-changing power of arts education—ensuring Boston Arts Academy students have the resources they need to thrive.
About Honors
Honors is Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s signature annual celebration and the Foundation’s largest single source of unrestricted funding in support of Boston Arts Academy. Each year, this unforgettable evening brings together leaders in the arts, business, philanthropy, and civic life to celebrate individuals whose work reflects the creativity, leadership, and community impact at the heart of BAA’s mission.
This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as President & CEO Denella J. Clark marks her 10th year with the BAA Foundation. Reflecting on the milestone, Denella shares, “For ten years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing what happens when a community invests fully in young artists. Honors is more than a celebration — it is a powerful statement that creativity belongs at the center of public education and civic life.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll will serve as Honorary Chair. We are grateful to Jill and Dean Bosco of CliftonLarsenAllen, who will lead the event as Co-Chairs.
With an ambitious $2 million fundraising goal, Honors plays a critical role in bridging the gap between public funding and the true cost of a world-class, arts-intensive education — ensuring that Boston’s young artists have the resources they need to thrive.
2026 Honorees
Jennifer-Yvette Holliday
Music Honoree
Celebrating 45 years of Dreamgirls
TONY & GRAMMY WINNING SINGER/ACTRESS
ORIGINAL DREAMGIRL
BIO
Jennifer-Yvette Holliday is an American singer and Tony Award–winning actress who began her professional career on Broadway at the age of 19 with a debut in Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God. She is best known for originating the role of Effie “Melody” White in the Broadway hit Dreamgirls, a performance that earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for the show-stopping song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” Beyond Dreamgirls, her contributions to the arts extend to other notable theater productions including roles in Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story and Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story.
As a recording artist, Holliday has released multiple albums, with her second album, Say You Love Me, earning her another Grammy for the song “Come Sunday.” Her most recent album, This Song Is You, released in 2014, achieved Top 20 status on the R&B charts. Her impact also spans film and television with appearances in movies such as The Five Heartbeats, soundtracks for films including Why Did I Get Married, and television appearances on shows like Ally McBeal, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Holliday is an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, actively supporting the LGBTQ+ community and working as a volunteer advocate for the National Mental Health Association. Her personal challenges with depression and multiple sclerosis, which she manages with exercise, meditation, and reading, have shaped her advocacy efforts. Holliday’s deep commitment to connecting with audiences through her heartfelt performances remains central to her work, as demonstrated in her recent role as Shug Avery in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
Ken Fulk
Visual Art Honoree
Celebrating 25 years of owning Ken Fulk, Inc
OWNER AT KEN FULK, INC.
INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE ‘QUIN HOUSE
BIO
Leading a team of 100 in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, Ken Fulk Inc.’s projects range from private compounds and high-concept hospitality to boats, planes and once-in-a-lifetime parties. With retail shops in LA and San Francisco, his entertaining essentials, custom scents and decorative accessories have been curated to design a well-lived life. He oversees every aspect of a project—from concept and branding to the uniforms and guest rituals. Ken Fulk goes far beyond design; he serves as a creative director for Carbone and Major Food Group, helping define their meteoric expansion of restaurants across the globe and partnered with Pharrell Williams to launch his foray into hospitality with The Goodtime Hotel in Miami.
Ken Fulk has reimagined how we gather in a contemporary world by leading the creation of three modern-day social clubs: The Battery in San Francisco, The ‘Quin House in Boston and The Commodore Perry Estate in Austin. 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, MA. Ken Fulk was christened “The Incredible Fulk” by The Economist. He has been a fixture on Architectural Digest’s AD100, Elle Decor’s A-List and Luxe’s Gold List. He was inducted into Hospitality Design’s Platinum Circle Hall of Fame and was recently applauded as Design LA’s “Living Legend” award. He’s been a winner of multiple Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, and was twice nominated for the James Beard Design Award. In 2025, Fulk was honored with the Druker Award and the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award in 2026.
Daniela Corte
Fashion Honoree
Celebrating 25 years of owning Daniela Corte, Inc.
OWNER AT DANIELA CORTE, INC
BIO
Daniela Corte still remembers the sense of awe she felt upon touching her first bolt of silk. Her father, a Buenos Aires based designer, had taken her with him on a trip to a textile warehouse. He handed her a fabric swatch to play with, and in doing so changed her world forever. Daniela was instantly mesmerized by the shimmery, velvety material and since that moment dreamed of creating clothes that instill the wearer with the very same sense of wonder and luxury.
Like most things – this didn’t happen instantly. But after receiving training in the family business, learning English, immigrating to the United States, graduating from the Boston School of Fashion Design, and working with several well-known Boston designers, her dream finally became a reality. In October of 2000, she assembled a team of fellow female Latinx immigrants and founded her eponymous women’s line.
She describes her team as full of “unrelenting perfectionists” who want to create the highest quality garments for their customers. And if you’ve ever sat in on one of their design sessions, you would instantly understand what she means. In an age of automation and fast fashion, buying from Daniela is a truly human experience – each component, from the design, to the cutting and stitching of her clothes are done with love by someone she can name.
Daniela has designed every single item available in her store on a Moleskine sketchbook. She has a philosophy against mass-production and runs intentionally small batches so her customers receive truly unique pieces. All of her pieces are sewn by her lovely seamstress, Estela, and cut and pressed by her head of production, Carmen. If you stop by her Waltham studio you can meet both women. Daniela sources the highest quality fabrics from all around the world to create items that are not only ridiculously comfortable but timelessly elegant and long-lasting. And of course, her pieces feature a lot of silk.
John Lam
Dance Honoree
Celebrating 20 years of dance at Boston Ballet
FOUNDER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF LAM DANCE WORKS
FORMER PRINCIPAL DANCER AT BOSTON BALLET
BIO
John Lam began dancing at age four with Marin Ballet in San Rafael, CA, where his exceptional talent earned him a full scholarship through Performing Stars of Marin. Mentored by Margaret Swarthout, Mikko Nissinen, and Cynthia Lucas, Lam went on to train at Canada’s National Ballet School on full scholarship, supported by the Pierino Ambrosoli Foundation. After graduating in 2003, he joined Boston Ballet II and rose quickly through the ranks, becoming a Soloist in 2008 and Principal Dancer in 2014.
A recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award, Lam was a finalist in the Seoul International Ballet Competition and the only American male semi-finalist at the 2005 Helsinki International Ballet Competition. Over a distinguished 20-year career, he has performed leading roles with Boston Ballet and collaborated with world-renowned choreographers including William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Jorma Elo, and John Neumeier. Lam has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The London Times, and has also choreographed award-winning dance films screened at international festivals. In recognition of his artistic impact and representation as an Asian American artist, he has received honors from President Joe Biden, Governor Maura Healey, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
Beyond the stage, Lam is a dedicated educator, arts advocate, and entrepreneur. He holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management (Fundraising) with honors from Northeastern University and has taught at Harvard University, Boston Conservatory, and institutions nationwide. In 2024, he became Associate Professor of Dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and founded Lam Dance Works, whose sold-out inaugural performance in 2025 celebrated artists from around the world. Through partnerships with Boston Public Schools, Lam Dance Works expands access to live performance for youth and underserved communities. He is also a husband and proud father of two sons.
Stephanie Tavares-Rance and Floyd Rance
TV + Film Honoree
Celebrating 24 years of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
FOUNDERS OF THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD
AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
BIO
Floyd A. B. Rance III and Stephanie Tavares‑Rance are cultural entrepreneurs and filmmakers best known for co-founding Run & Shoot Filmworks and launching the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in 2002. What began as a bold vision to create space for cinematic works by and about people of African descent has grown into one of the nation’s most influential Black film festivals.
Held annually in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, the festival has evolved into a major cultural destination, attracting acclaimed filmmakers, industry leaders, and devoted audiences. Known for its mix of independent films, documentaries, shorts, and studio premieres, the event has become a trusted launchpad for powerful storytelling and diverse creative voices.
Floyd’s background in film production and visual storytelling, combined with Stephanie’s expertise in music industry marketing, promotion, and audience engagement, has shaped the festival’s distinctive identity and reach. Together, they have built a lasting platform that amplifies underrepresented voices while fostering community, creativity, and cultural impact.
Mark Lev
Lifetime Achievement Honoree
PRESIDENT & CEO, BOSTON COMMON GOLF
BIO
Mark Lev serves as President of Fenway Sports Management (FSM) and CEO of Boston Common Golf, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a veteran sports marketing leader to the agency. Lev oversees all critical aspects of FSM’s operations including management of its primary business units – Sponsorship Sales and Property Representation, Consulting, and Special Events, and is ultimately responsible for the agency’s growth, profitability and strategic direction. He has been intimately involved with many of FSM’s major business dealings, including its unique partnership with NBA superstar LeBron James. He has also been an integral part in bringing many major special events to Fenway Park, such as the AIG Hurling and Irish Festival, Football at Fenway, Polartec Big Air, and Citi Frozen Fenway.
Candice Stover
Civic Responsibility Honoree
Celebrating 14 years at Delta Air Lines
The Boston Business Journal has named Delta one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies for 2025
GENERAL MANAGER, NEW ENGLAND GLOBAL SALES – DELTA AIR LINES
BIO
Candice N. Stover is the 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 hub and the region’s leading airline, delivering record-setting performance.
A seasoned commercial executive with more than 20 years of experience in the airline industry—including 14 years at Delta—Candice is recognized for driving sustained growth, advancing market leadership, and leading high-performing teams in complex, matrixed environments. She oversees a multi-level sales organization in one of Delta’s fastest-growing markets and serves as a strategic connector across key commercial and operational functions.
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.
She began her career with AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines before joining Delta Air Lines. Candice holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a certificate in Sales and a master’s degree in Management from the University of West Georgia, where she also completed international business studies in Beijing and Shanghai. Originally from Pittsburgh, she has lived in Atlanta, New York City, now resides in Boston.
