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New York Public Radio Announces the “STAND WITH PUBLIC MEDIA” 2025 Gala

HONORING THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Cultural Advocacy Award

STEPHEN COLBERT & EVELYN MCGEE COLBERT

Media Innovation Award

DAVID REMNICK

Editor, The New Yorker & Host, The New Yorker Radio Hour

Philanthropy Leadership Award

DARREN WALKER

President, Ford Foundation

Hosted by Screen Actors Guild Award winner RICHARD KIND

Special appearances by Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actor BEN PLATT, Tony Award winner ANNALEIGH ASHFORD, pianist and composer CONRAD TAO, Independent Spirit Award nominee NOAH GALVIN, and beloved WNYC and WQXR hosts

AFTER-PARTY DJ SET BY

Oscar and Grammy Award-winning director and musician

DJ QUESTLOVE

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at The Glasshouse

(October 15, 2025 – New York, NY) – New York Public Radio (NYPR)—home of WNYC, WQXR, and Gothamist—today announced details of its “Stand with Public Media” 2025 Gala, taking place on Tuesday, November 18 at The Glasshouse in New York City. The evening will honor host, executive producer, and writer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Stephen Colbert and producer and arts advocate Evelyn McGee Colbert; New Yorker editor David Remnick; and Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation for their unwavering commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

This year’s gala comes on the heels of the historic congressional defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which has been the cornerstone of the American public broadcasting system for nearly 60 years—supporting public media organizations in every congressional district across the country, including NYPR. The evening will celebrate public media’s immeasurable contributions to local journalism, civic conversation, and safeguarding democracy. The gala follows the announcement of WNYC’s fall fundraising messaging “You Can’t Defund the Truth,” which captures the irrepressible drive of journalists to report facts, even in the face of opposition. 

“In this moment when freedom of speech is under threat, we are proud to celebrate those who advocate for and protect this precious American right,” said LaFontaine E. Oliver, New York Public Radio’s President & CEO and Executive Chair. “Their tireless work to protect the First Amendment inspires us all to raise our voices in support of fearless, independent journalism, enlivening arts and culture, and open spaces for dialogue and authentic expression.”

The evening will be hosted by SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Richard Kind (Only Murders in the Building, Beau Is Afraid). Performances and special appearances will include Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, The Politician), Tony Award-winning and Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated actress Annaleigh Ashford (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Happy Face), Independent Spirit Award nominee Noah Galvin (Theater Camp, The Real O’Neals), and classical pianist and composer Conrad Tao.

The evening will also include a separately ticketed after-party to give WNYC and WQXR fans another chance to mingle with their favorite hosts. The after-party will feature a special DJ set by Oscar and Grammy Award winner and New York Times best-selling author, DJ Questlove.

Tickets for both the Gala and after-party available here.

The ‘Black Tie optional/Gala Chic’ gala will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and after-party. This year’s gala serves as the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year, acknowledging NYPR’s vital work, its impact across its many communities, and the generous supporters who make it all possible. Past gala performers and hosts include Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee, Roy Wood, Jr., Aidy Bryant, John Turturro, The Kronos Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, Cynthia Nixon, Renee Fleming, Shoshana Bean, 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, and The New Yorker Radio Hour, 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.