BALL for THE MALL 2024 featuring our History, Heroes & Hope Awards

The Trust for the National Mall's signature gala BALL for THE MALL took place on May 8, 2024, a night to remember under the stars and beneath the monuments on the National Mall. The BALL for THE MALL is the Trust’s marquee, annual fundraising gala supporting and celebrating our work and mission with the National Park Service to restore, preserve and elevate the National Mall, a treasured American space for all.

Sign up here to receive updates about BALL for THE MALL 2025 and the Trust for the National Mall’s work with the National Park Service to restore, preserve and elevate the National Mall for all.

 
 

About the BALL for THE MALL | A Celebration of Storytelling on the National Mall

  • The BALL showcases our History, Heroes & Hope Award, now in its tenth year, which recognizes prominent individuals whose significant achievements represent the ideals and spirit behind the National Mall. The 2024 honorees were Dave Grohl, The Mellon Foundation, and George C. Wolfe. Past honorees have included Sheila Johnson, John Batiste and Suleika Jaouad, Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III, David M. Rubenstein and José Andrés.

  • Thank you to everyone who was part of this monumental evening that welcomed 600+ guests — including an array of prominent philanthropists, business leaders, members of Congress, public officials and our generous partners and benefactors for an unforgettable night of celebration in support of the National Mall. Our featured speakers included the Honorable Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, former Trust honoree David M. Rubenstein, Vice Chair, Trust Board of Directors and Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection Sheila Johnson, and Emcee Wolf Blitzer, CNN Journalist, Anchor of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer

  • BALL for THE MALL takes place on the National Mall against the extraordinary backdrop of the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol and the sprawling green lawn.

    The BALL is the Trust’s signature annual fundraising gala that unites our key supporters to showcase the projects and programs we are delivering on with the National Park Service to restore, preserve and elevate this treasured American space. Our shared mission to ensure a vibrant and engaging National Mall for all takes on new meaning as we approach the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026, when the National Mall—America’s Civic Stage—will play center stage for this milestone commemoration.

ABOUT OUR 2024 HONOREES

Dave Grohl

“This is an award for storytelling — D.C. is the beginning of my story, a story that’s come full circle as I accept this incredible honor on the National Mall.”

Dave Grohl is a 19-time Grammy-winning musician, founder and lead singer of Foo Fighters, songwriter, best-selling author and D.C. native. This award recognizes his exceptional lifetime of achievement as a legendary songwriter, storyteller and artist, bestselling author of The Storyteller, and as a Springfield, Virginia native with strong roots in Washington D.C.

Grohl has been an inspired advocate for storytelling in all its forms. The National Mall is a place where all Americans have a voice, and his life’s work gives voice to stories and inspires listeners and readers around the globe. Grohl has been one of the most beloved and respected figures on the international music scene since his debut with Nirvana on 1991’s generation-defining record Nevermind, which would go on to sell more than 30 million copies.

In 2013, Grohl made his debut as a feature director/producer with the acclaimed documentary Sound City—the story of the Van Nuys CA studio where Nirvana recorded Nevermind. Premiering to unanimous raves at Sundance and achieving a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, Sound City focused both on the history of the legendary studio and on the ongoing fight to preserve the human element of music.

Grohl has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice—first as a member of Nirvana in 2014 and then as a member of Foo Fighters in 2021. In addition to his extensive catalogue with Nirvana and Foo Fighters, Grohl has a well-earned reputation as a prolific collaborator who has worked with Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Neil Young, and Elton John—to name a few.

The Mellon Foundation

The Mellon Foundation is the nation's largest supporter of the arts and humanities and is receiving the award, accepted by its President Elizabeth Alexander, for its vision and generous support for the Beyond Granite initiative. The inaugural exhibition of Beyond Granite, entitled Pulling Together, was led by the Trust for the National Mall in 2023, and brought six extraordinary stories and six extraordinary works of art to the National Mall for the first curated exhibition of its kind on America's Front Yard. The widely acclaimed exhibition reached an estimated 2 million visitors on the National Mall, bringing new voices and stories to the nation's most iconic commemorative landscape.

Through grants, the Mellon Foundation seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project is an unprecedented multiyear commitment by the Mellon Foundation that is aimed at transforming the nation’s commemorative landscape to ensure our collective histories are more completely and accurately represented, and explores how we might foster a more complete telling of who we are as a nation.

Accepting on behalf of Mellon Foundation: Elizabeth Alexander, President

“The Mall holds a special place in both our country’s history and my own heart as someone who grew up in Washington. Beyond Granite has helped to reimagine whom, what, and how we celebrate in this historic civic space…”

Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander, is a celebrated poet, scholar, cultural advocate and a nationally recognized thought leader. Dr. Alexander was previously the director of Creativity and Free Expression at the Ford Foundation where she guided the organization in examining how the arts and visual storytelling can empower communities. An author or co-author of fifteen books, Dr. Alexander was twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, for poetry, and is a New York Times bestseller. In 2009, she composed and delivered the poem “Praise Song for the Day” for President Barack Obama's inauguration. TIME Magazine named Dr. Alexander one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2022 and in 2019, she was awarded Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal.

George C. Wolfe

“To be honored by the Trust for the National Mall within the year that the [RUSTIN] flim was released, is humbling to say the least. I am deeply grateful and proud.

George C. Wolfe director, RUSTIN film, is a Tony Award-winning playwright, producer and filmmaker. This award recognizes his incredible work to bring RUSTIN to the big screen, a film that beautifully represents the history and purpose of the National Mall. The film is a poignant reminder of the power of Bayard Rustin’s leadership as the force behind the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on the National Mall, the space where history is commemorated and where history is made. Importantly, it also tells the story of how the watershed March cemented the National Mall as America’s Civic Stage where all voices can be heard.

Wolfe has firmly established himself as one of Ameria’s most important and influential cultural voices. He also recently directed Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom would go on to win two Academy Awards. Wolfe first gained international acclaim for his play The Colored Museum, which opened at New York City’s Public Theatre. He has directed 17 Broadway productions.

Wolfe made his directorial film debut with Lackawanna Blues, which won four NAACP Image Awards. Subsequently, Wolfe directed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks starring Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne. Wolfe has served on distinguished boards, including the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities. He was also the Chief Creative Officer for the Center of Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta and was a producer of the Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival. George C. Wolfe was named “Living Landmark” by the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

2024 SPONSORS

 

Premier Sponsors

 
 
 

Platinum Sponsors

 
 
 

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Akridge
Alpha Corporation
Amazon
American Petroleum Institute
Ames & Gough
BOHLER
Business Roundtable
Mary & Armeane Choksi
Consigli Construction
Crowell & Moring LLP
Crown Castle
Deloitte
Destination DC
Greater Washington Board of Trade
Guest Services, Inc.
Hensel Phelps
King & Spalding
Linder Global Events
LSG
Lugano Diamonds
Pam & Tony Marquez
Jim & Haity McNerney
Netflix
Projection, Inc.
Ruppert Companies
TD Bank
VHC Health
Zirkelbach Strategies

Bronze Sponsors

Bernstein Family Foundation
Lanny & Susan Griffith 
Eric & Nicole Hoplin
Betsy Jordan
Ed & Martie Samek

Media Sponsors

Axios D.C.
iHeartMedia / DC101
Modern Luxury's DC Magazine
Punchbowl News

In-Kind Support

Breakthru Beverage
Design Foundry
Effort, LLC
EventEQ
Hampton Water Wine Co.
Linder Global Events
MJ Valet
Occasions Caterers
Rosewood Washington, D.C.
Tito's Handmade Vodka

BALL FOR THE MALL 2024 HOST COMMITTEE

Co-Chairs

Georgette “Gigi” Dixon 
Wells Fargo 

Nels Olson 
Korn Ferry 

Sally & John E. “Chip” Akridge III 

Sherrie Beckstead 
The Sherrie & Sidney Beckstead Fund 

Mary Brady 
The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. 

Valerie Camillo
Herschend Family Entertainment

Cheri Carter
Boeing 

Martha Dippell & Daniel Korengold 

John Drew 
TCMA

Nicole & Eric Hoplin
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

Stacy Kerr & CR Wooters
Penta | Uber 

Kathi & Dan Knise
Ames & Gough

John Mason 
Altria

Cathy Merrill 
Washingtonian

Jared Oldroyd 
Clark Construction 

Frank Pinto
PWC Companies

John Richardson 
EagleBank 

Gabor Vida
Rosewood Washington, D.C.

Katie Zirkelbach
Zirkelbach Strategies 

* indicates required

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BALL FOR THE MALL 2024 FEATURED SPEAKERS

 

Wolf Blitzer

EMCEE FOR BALL for THE MALL 2024, CNN Journalist, Anchor of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer

Wolf Blitzer is anchor of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, which airs weekdays at 6pm ET. One-on-one interviews with prominent figures shaping news on the world stage has been a hallmark of Blitzer and The Situation Room throughout the entire 18-year on-air run, one of the longest running shows to air on CNN. Blitzer has been with CNN for over 30 years, having joined in 1990 as the network’s military-affairs correspondent. Throughout his career, Blitzer has interviewed some of history’s most notable figures including many U.S. presidents and foreign leaders.

 

The Honorable Deb Haaland

U.S. Secretary of the Interior

Secretary Deb Haaland made history when she became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th generation New Mexican. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the the University of New Mexico (UNM) and her J.D. from UNM Law School. Secretary Haaland became the first Native American woman to be elected to lead a State Party and one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress, where she focused on environmental justice, climate change, missing and murdered indigenous women, family-friendly policies, and beyond.

 

Dr. Carla Hayden

The Librarian of Congress

Carla Hayden is the 14th Librarian of Congress, serving since September 14, 2016, as the first woman and the first African American to lead the national library, nominated to the position by President Barack Obama. Prior to her current role, Dr. Hayden was the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, and has held many prominent librarian roles over the years, including Chicago Public Library and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Hayden was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. In 1995, she was the first African American to receive Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award.

 

Sheila Johnson

Vice Chair, Trust Board of Directors and Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection

Sheila Johnson is Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, ranked No.4 in Minority-Owned Companies in the Washington D.C. Metro area, and ranked No.4 as the Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Greater D.C. As Vice Chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Ms. Johnson is the only African-American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals and WNBA’s 2019 World Champions, Washington Mystics. Ms. Johnson was also named on Forbes Magazine’s Top 50 America’s Richest Self-Made Women.

 

David M. Rubenstein

Co-Founder and Co-Chair, The Carlyle Group, Chairman and CEO, Baltimore Orioles

David M. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s most successful private investment firms, managing $373 billion around the world. Rubenstein is Chairman and CEO of the Baltimore Orioles, and Chairman of the Boards of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the National Gallery of Art, among several other fellows and board seats. He is a leader in philanthropy, having made transformative gifts to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and several other national treasures.

 

Christine Lyons

Featured National Anthem Singer for Ball For the Mall 2024

Christine Lyons is a critically acclaimed operatic soprano based in the United States and Europe. Hailed a “true virtuosa” (Broadway World), she has been praised for her “power and poise” (Classical Voice America), for her “voice rich in nuances” (Pro Opera), her “solid coloratura and legato” (Opera News), and for “highly expressive and musical” artistry (Classical Voice America). Lyons honed her craft at Carnegie Mellon University under the tutelage of Mimi Lerner, at the Mozarteum in Salzburg under the tutelage of Helen Donath and Grace Bumbry, and at Peabody Conservatory under the tutelage of Denyce Graves.

BECOME A PARTNER for BALL for THE MALL

This invitation-only event with sponsorship opportunities will feature a Chairman’s Reception, an intimate awards presentation, a seated dinner, as well as a dessert reception and jazz lounge. Guests will include Congressional leaders, featured guest speakers, award honorees, Trust Board of Directors and our generous philanthropic partners for one unforgettable night.

Support the Trust’s mission and attend this exclusive event. Your gift will help steward the Trust’s work to restore, preserve and enrich America’s Front Yard. Partners will receive the following benefits and more, fully explained in the Sponsorship Packet:

  • Premier seating at the event

  • Invitation to the special Chairman's Reception

  • Recognition on invitation, website and social media prior to event

  • Recognition at the event through signage and program

  • Promotion in Trust partner media, earned media and social media

  • Special, in-depth tours of the National Mall

For more information on BALL for THE MALL…

For questions about BALL for THE MALL, please email ballforthemall@nationalmall.org.

Donations in lieu of attendance (table/seat benefits not provided) are welcomed. Donors will receive recognition commensurate with gift amount.

Donor Advised Funds: Please note that per IRS restrictions and guidelines, event tickets or sponsorships paid through Donor Advised Funds and/or private family foundations are not allowable.

PAST BALL FOR THE MALL AND HISTORY, HEROES & HOPE AWARD HIGHLIGHTS

 

ABOUT THE HISTORY, HEROES & HOPE AWARD

The Trust for the National Mall created the History, Heroes & Hope Award in 2014 to honor the spirit and ideals that the National Mall represents for our country. The Award has recognized dedicated public servants, long-time volunteers, and patriotic donors.

The History, Heroes & Hope Award has traditionally been presented during the Trust’s annual spring fundraising gala, with an audience of over 700 prominent business leaders, philanthropists, members of Congress and public officials. The global pandemic shifted the Award presentation to a virtual tribute in 2020, but we were able to host an intimate, in-person awards event in 2021 for invited guests and sponsors.

Previous recipients of the History, Heroes & Hope Award have included:  

  • 2024: Mellon Foundation, accepted by President Elizabeth Alexander, Dave Grohl, 19-time Grammy-winning Musician, Author, Director, George C Wolfe, 3-time Tony-winning playwright, Director, Rustin film

  • 2023: Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, and Her Excellency Emily Haber, German Ambassador to the United States

  • 2022: Jon Batiste & Suleika Jaouad, Award-Winning Artists & Activists, and Sharon Percy Rockefeller, President and Chief Executive Officer of WETA-TV

  • 2021: Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and José Andrés, Chef/Owner of ThinkFoodGroup and Founder of World Central Kitchen

  • 2020: The Honorable Lamar Alexander, Senator (R-TN)

  • 2019: The Honorable Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and the late Congressman John Dingell (D-MI)

  • 2018: Donald Adam and Annemarie Emmet, Volunteers-in-Parks Program Volunteers 

  • 2017: David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, The Carlyle Group

  • 2016: Jonathan Jarvis, Former Director of the National Park Service 

  • 2015: John E. “Chip” Akridge III, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Trust for the National Mall

For more details on previous History, Heroes & Hope Awardees, click here.