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 Holliday

Music Honoree

Celebrating 45 years of Dreamgirls

TONY & GRAMMY WINNING SINGER/ACTRESS

ORIGINAL DREAMGIRL

The 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), recently returned to Broadway in The Color Purple (2016), and has released several albums. 

Ken Fulk

Visual Arts Honoree

Celebrating 25 years of owning Ken Fulk, Inc

OWNER AT KEN FULK, INC.
INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE ‘QUIN HOUSE

A 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.

Daniela Corte

Fashion Honoree

Celebrating 25 years of owning Daniela Corte, Inc.

OWNER AT DANIELA CORTE, INC

Daniela Corte is an 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.

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

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.

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

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. 

Mark Lev

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

PRESIDENT & CEO, BOSTON COMMON GOLF

Mark Lev is President & CEO of 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.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years—including leadership roles with the Boston Celtics—Lev has earned a reputation for his ability to build meaningful relationships and drive community impact. 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.

Candice Stover

Civic Responsibility Honoree

GENERAL MANAGER, NEW ENGLAND GLOBAL SALES – DELTA AIR LINES

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 hubs 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. Candice is a 3x winner of the Delta Global Sales Excellence award, which represents the top 10% in the organization.

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