NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO’S CENTENNIAL GALA CELEBRATED WNYC’S 100 YEARS ON AIR

TV Host and Comedian Seth Meyers Hosted the Evening

Gala Attendees Included Special Guests Meryl Streep, Julia Stiles, Rosie Perez, John Turturro, Samantha Bee, Jason Jones, Ronny Chieng, and WNYC & WQXR Hosts 

Featured Dynamic Musical Performances by Grammy/Tony Nominee Shoshana Bean, Jazz Pianist Aaron Diehl, and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City

Evening Honored the Leon Levy Foundation for Generous Support of WNYC’s Digital Archives, and Visionary Past and Present Members of Board of Trustees Event Raised More than $2.1 Million to Support NYPR’s Vital Work

November 20, 2024 — Last night, New York Public Radio, home of WNYC and WQXR, hosted its 2024 annual gala celebrating WNYC’s 100 years on the air. The centennial event paid tribute to WNYC’s century of service, from its origins as New York’s first City-run radio station to its transformation into an independent, listener-supporter public radio station and global leader in audio storytelling. 

NYPR’s largest gala ever raised over $2.1 million to support its vital work providing New Yorkers trusted local, national, and international news, civic conversation, and cultural and classical music programming.

The event, held at The Glasshouse, was hosted by Seth Meyers — comedian, best-selling writer, and host of NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers. Notable attendees included special guests actress Meryl Streep, actress Julia Stiles, actress Rosie Perez, actor and filmmaker John Turturro, comedians Samantha Bee and Jason Jones, Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic Anthony McGill, and more. 

Special musical performances featured Grammy- and two-time Tony Award nominee Shoshana Bean (currently starring in Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen); acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Aaron Diehl; and the award-winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City, led by Francisco J. Nuñez. The evening included remarks from NYPR President/CEO LaFontaine E. Oliver and Board of Trustees Chair Timothy Williams. Attending WNYC hosts included Brian Lehrer (The Brian Lehrer Show), Alison Stewart (All of It), Latif Nasser (Radiolab), Brooke Gladstone, and Micah Loewinger (Peabody award-winning On the Media), John Schaefer (New Sounds), and WQXR hosts Annie Bergen, Elliott Forrest, and Paul Cavalconte.

The evening honored the Leon Levy Foundation, which enabled the digitization of WNYC’s archives through a generous $2.5M contribution — ensuring access to historical documents, recordings, and photographs that chronicle the institution’s public engagement and role in New York City’s history since 1924.

The ‘Black Tie optional/Centennial Chic’ gala also recognized the outstanding commitment and vision of NYPR’s Trustees, past and present, including Judith M. Carson, Peter H. Darrow, Eduardo Mestre, Mayo Stuntz, Jr., Nicki Newman Tanner, Wilma S. Tisch, Cynthia King Vance, Alan G. Weiler, and posthumous honoree Alexander Kaplan.

Gala Highlights:

• A warm and intimate cocktail hour where NYPR’s esteemed hosts and staff mingled with dedicated donors, members, and special guests.
• The night opened with an enchanting performance by the award-winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City, led by Francisco J. Núñez
• Comedian Seth Meyers delivered a witty and heartfelt opening monologue, including playful jabs at the room and a touching tribute to WNYC’s Alison Stewart, who recently recovered from brain surgery.
• NYPR President and CEO LaFontaine E. Oliver took the stage to reflect on the organization’s extraordinary century of impact. In his remarks, he celebrated the  contributions of Laura Walker, who led NYPR for 23 years, and honored long-serving staff members with over 25 years of service. 
• Board Chair Timothy Wilkins also recognized Centennial Stewards, mentors, and predecessor chairs for their long-standing commitment.
• A thrilling live auction hosted by renowned auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla, which included a headline-grabbing $81,000 bid for a private castle retreat, contributing to the record-breaking funds raised to support NYPR’s mission.
• Actress Rosie Perez, a devoted WNYC listener, charmed the crowd with her heartfelt reflection on the station’s impact, sharing her personal connection to public radio and her love for Brian Lehrer. 
• Jazz pianist Aaron Diehl and bassist David Wong delivered an elegant dinner performance.
• Broadway star Shoshana Bean closed out the dinner program with a show-stopping rendition of “Give My Regards to Broadway” and an excerpt of “Empire State of Mind.”
• The evening concluded with a lively after-party hosted by filmmaker and author New York Nico, which embodied the city’s eclectic spirit. Hip-hop artist and activist Talib Kweli took on DJ duties, as guests mingled with WNYC & WQXR hosts indulging in classic NYC treats and an open bar.

The WNYC Centennial Council includes Cynthia Nixon, John Turturro, Rosie Perez, Edie Falco, Marisa Tomei, Ken Burns, Samantha Bee, Roy Wood Jr., and many others.

NYPR’s annual Gala is the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year—celebrating the vital and illuminating work produced across New York Public Radio and the generous supporters who make it all possible. Last year’s gala honored Emily Tow and Leonard Tow for The Tow Foundation’s support of the WNYC/Gothamist newsroom. The evening was emceed by comedian, actor, and former The Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood, Jr. Past Gala performers and hosts have included Samantha Bee, Aidy Bryant, John Turturro, Hilary Hahn, Wynton Marsalis, Ira Glass, Cynthia Nixon, Renée Fleming, Kishi Bashi, J’Nai Bridges, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

About New York Public Radio

With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, New York Public Radio (NYPR) produces innovative, critically acclaimed programming for local and national broadcast, on-demand and live streaming audiences. NYPR’s brands include WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, New Jersey Public Radio, and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. The WNYC newsroom and Gothamist produce award-winning local journalism for New York City, New Jersey and the surrounding region. WQXR, the City’s only all-classical radio station broadcasts new and archival classical recordings and makes live performances from New York City’s esteemed performance venues available to all. WNYC Studios is a premier producer of on-demand and national broadcast audio, and home to some of the industry’s most impactful award-winning podcasts and national radio shows, including Radiolab, On the Media, The New Yorker Radio Hour, and Notes from America, among others. The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is NYPR’s intimate street-level broadcast studio and live event space. Further information about programs, podcasts, and stations may be found at www.nypublicradio.org.

About the Leon Levy Foundation

For twenty years the Leon Levy Foundation has concentrated on humanist values of understanding, appreciation, and preservation, through grantmaking guided by Leon Levy and Shelby White’s deep and diverse interests. Its primary focus areas, designated by Shelby White and co-founding trustee Elizabeth Moynihan, include the ancient world, arts and humanities, neuroscience, nature and gardens, human rights, and Jewish culture. The Foundation has also supported Brooklyn, Shelby’s hometown, with major gifts to Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park Alliance, Brooklyn Public Library, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. The Leon Levy Foundation is deeply committed to archival preservation at New York City cultural organizations and generously funded the complete digitization of the New York Public Radio archives leading up to its Centennial, ensuring that WNYC and WQXR archives, including the Municipal Archive’s WNYC collection, are preserved for generations to come.

About Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers is an Emmy Award-winning writer, New York Times best-selling author, and host of NBC’s critically acclaimed series “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” “Late Night” and its digital series, “Corrections,” have received 11 Emmy nominations, seven WGA Award nominations and two Critics Choice Awards since the show launched in 2014. Meyers began his TV career with “Saturday Night Live” in 2001 where he served as a cast member for 13 seasons, head writer for nine seasons and a “Weekend Update” anchor for eight seasons. In 2019, he released his debut standup special, “Lobby Baby,” on Netflix, which was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. In all, Meyers has garnered 33 Emmy nominations. His children’s book, “I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared,” was released in 2022 and he currently co-hosts two podcasts, “Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers” and “The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast.” Meyers performs stand-up to sold out crowds across the country and co-headlines a monthly residency with John Oliver at the Beacon Theatre in New York.