Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is set to receive the prestigious SummerStage Icon Award in recognition of his significant artistic contributions to New York City, as announced by the City Parks Foundation. This Grammy-winning artist will cap off the annual dinner and fundraiser with a private dance party on September 25 at the iconic SummerStage venue in Central Park.
The City Parks Foundation, through its Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Festival, stands as one of the largest presenters of free arts and cultural programs in New York City parks. Each year, it engages over 285,000 New Yorkers through diverse initiatives in arts, education, sports, and community building.
In 2024, the City Parks Foundation honored renowned tennis players and philanthropists John and Patrick McEnroe with the City Parks Foundation Icon Award. This year, the spotlight shines on Philadelphia-born Questlove, co-founder of the legendary hip-hop group The Roots. He will grace the SummerStage on July 20 in Queens’ Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
This year’s SummerStage lineup promises an exciting array of talent, featuring artists like Soccer Mommy, Rakim, Camilo, Jessica Pratt, and even a special performance of “Symphonic Blues” with Morgan Freeman.
Questlove is a multifaceted creative powerhouse within the entertainment industry. He is not only an Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, celebrated for his work on “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” but also the Emmy-nominated “Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius).” Looking ahead to 2025, he is set to direct a documentary about the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire, marking an exciting continuation of his filmmaking journey alongside Two One Five Entertainment, the production company he founded with Black Thought.
In addition to his directorial ventures, Questlove has executive-produced notable documentaries such as “The League,” directed by Academy Award nominee Sam Pollard, and the Sundance award-winning “Descendant,” led by Emmy nominee Margaret Brown. An accomplished author, he has penned several best-selling books, including “Mo’ Meta Blues,” “Creative Quest,” “Music Is History,” and “The Rhythm of Time,” which is the inaugural title in his middle-grade series. His latest endeavor, a picture book titled “The Idea In You,” showcases his versatility and creativity across various mediums.
Stay tuned for more updates on Questlove’s remarkable contributions to the arts and culture scene in New York City!
