Art, purpose and a dash of New York pride took the spotlight at Dorill Initiative’s 8th Annual Disrupt Through Art Gala, with MadameNoire on hand to document every moment. The event, staged on Thursday, Oct. 29, on The Rooftop at Manny Cantor Center in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, assembled artists, educators, budding creators, civic leaders and supporters to celebrate how creativity can spark meaningful change. By night’s end, Dorill Initiative announced an impressive fundraising total of $50,620, earmarked to drive the organization’s next chapter and broaden its programming into the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Harlem.
With the theme “A Love Letter to New York City — 22 Neighborhoods. One Shared Story.,” this year’s gala honored the people, ideas and communities that render New York one of a kind. More crucially, it underscored Dorill’s ongoing commitment to ensuring young people across the city have access to mentorship, arts education and leadership opportunities that help them thrive.
Paul Tazewell and The Ramos Family were among this year’s honorees.
Among the night’s marquee moments was the acknowledgment of four extraordinary honorees whose careers embody how creativity, service and community can transform lives. Tony and Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell was named Legend of Art Honoree. Renowned for his iconic costumes in productions like Hamilton and West Side Story, Tazewell made history in 2025 as the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for Wicked, becoming only the second Black designer to win in the category, following Ruth E. Carter.
Multidisciplinary artist DaQuane Cherry received the Citizen Artist Honoree for his artistic contributions and dedication to using art as a conduit for community connection and civic dialogue. Christina D. Eskridge, Founder and Executive Director of Elevate Theatre Company, earned the Leader of Love Honoree award for her work as a public health artist leveraging theater and storytelling to explore health, wellness and communal well-being. The Ramos Family was celebrated as Leaders of Love Honorees for their devotion to family, neighborhood and the values that guide Dorill Initiative’s mission.
MadameNoire Catches Up With Oscar Winner Paul Tazewell
Naturally, MadameNoire couldn’t let the evening slip by without hearing from one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed creative minds.
After the recognition, MadameNoire’s Managing Editor Danica Daniel sat down with Tazewell to discuss his groundbreaking Oscar win, the importance of opening doors for emerging costume designers, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Looking back on receiving the Academy Award, Tazewell described the moment as “life-changing.” Even as the Oscar cements his place in history, the renowned designer remains deeply committed to ensuring that the next generation knows a career in costume design is within reach.
For him, sharing knowledge and raising the profile of aspiring designers is more than a courtesy.
“It’s actually one of my top priorities,” he shared. “The world of costume design isn’t a widely recognized career path. I came up through performance, then discovered the realm of costume design with the love and support of my family and a strong college program, and I’ve continued in this field that keeps giving back.”
With an extraordinary career built in an industry that many young creatives might not even realize is possible, Tazewell is thrilled to see organizations like Dorill helping young people uncover their talents and chase their passions.
And when asked for advice to those still figuring out their roads, his reply was straightforward. Believe in what makes you unique, put in the required effort, and pursue what ignites your spirit.
“Hold fast to your passions, apply yourself, and truly embrace who you are. That’s exactly what Dorill excels at,” he added. “It isn’t easy, but it’s essential to want to do it. You have to commit.”
From Hollywood Glamour to Fashion Talk: Paul Tazewell Keeps It Stylish
As a fashion icon, he was drawn out of his shell to share thoughts on current trends. Before the night concluded, Danica queried Tazewell about the styles he adores now and those he could live without.
Let’s just say he’s not a fan of Uggs.
The designer was quick to dismiss the cozy shoes, calling the trend one he hopes fades away, which hints at his more timeless approach to personal style. Conversely, he enjoys seeing people dress with intent, favoring pieces that feel thoughtfully curated rather than disposable. He’s especially fond of color schemes that endure beyond seasons.
For Tazewell, the essence of a standout look lies in precise tailoring and the subtle details—the fine points that separate a good ensemble from a truly memorable one.
An evening of celebrating art, leadership and community
Though the honorees added star power to the evening, the core of the celebration remained Dorill’s mission and the young people it serves.
Actor, musician and Dorill Trustee Malik Yoba served as master of ceremonies, guiding guests through a program that spotlighted individuals and communities using creativity to effect change.
The gala also featured performances, storytelling and demonstrations of Dorill’s young artists’ perspectives and talents. These segments underscored the idea that New York’s cultural future is being shaped by its youth, right here and now.
For Dorill, investing in young creatives translates to investing in the city’s future.
“New York shaped who I am, and I’ve seen firsthand that talent exists in every corner of this city. What isn’t always evenly available is opportunity,” said Tareake Dorill Ramos, founder and CEO of Dorill Initiative. “The generosity of everyone who joined us and contributed to this year’s gala moves us closer to making that opportunity accessible. As we broaden into the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Harlem, we are building pathways for more youths to discover their voices, grow into leaders, and help shape the communities they call home.”
Dorill is expanding opportunities one community at a time
Founded in 2018 by Tareake Dorill Ramos, Dorill Initiative emerged from a steadfast belief: a young person’s ZIP code should never dictate their access to high-quality arts education, valuable mentorship, or chances to succeed.
At the heart of the organization’s approach is The Dorill Method, a holistic framework that blends artistic excellence with self-awareness, academic inquiry, career preparation and civic engagement. Through this model, young people nurture their creative talents while building the confidence, knowledge and leadership needed to become both engaged artists and responsible citizens.
Today, Dorill engages with more than 300 Young Citizen Artists annually, offering them chances to voice their creativity, forge meaningful connections and leave a mark on their communities.
The $50,620 raised at this year’s gala marks a significant milestone as Dorill prepares to broaden its reach beyond its Lower East Side roots. With plans to extend programmatic and operational footprints into the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Harlem, the organization aims to bring its community-rooted approach to arts education and youth development to even more neighborhoods.
And if the evening demonstrated anything, it’s that when creativity, community and opportunity converge, the impact reaches far beyond the walls of the venue.
From Tazewell’s uplifting reflections on carving out a space within the creative industry to the emerging artists finding their voices, Dorill’s 8th Annual Disrupt Through Art Gala celebrated what’s possible when young people are given the tools and space to dream bigger.
