Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and The Bronx Tourism Council hosted the 2025 Bronx Ball Saturday, a glittering celebration of Bronx culture and the borough’s most influential artists, athletes and cultural icons at the Hutchinson Metro Center in the East Bronx.
The annual gala was the premier event of Bronx Week, the Borough’s nearly month-long celebration of all things Bronx—filled with events, festivities, concerts, parades and honoring a select few Bronx icons to be inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame along the Grand Concourse.
“The Bronx Ball is the Bronx’s version of the Met Gala and is our way of celebrating the people who make our borough great,” Gibson said. “From the artists and activists to the entrepreneurs and everyday heroes, this event shines a spotlight on the individuals whose contributions continue to shape our community.”
Emceed by Emmy Award-winning PIX11 journalist Monica Morales, the evening began with a cocktail mixer, followed by dinner, live performances, and tributes to individuals who have shaped the borough’s identity.
This year’s Walk of Fame inductees included 4x NBA all-star Kemba Walker, WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, freestyle music icon and radio personality Judy Torres, viral subway portrait artist Devon Rodriguez and journalist, DJ and television personality Gary Axelbank.
Julius Drake, Director of Development at the Bronx Tourism Council, recognized each honoree as an important stitch in the fabric of the borough, contributing to the strength and beauty that keep the Bronx at the forefront of the cultural conversation.
“The Bronx Ball is more than just a party—it’s a reflection of the pride, passion, and creativity that define the Bronx,” Drake said. “From freestyle to fine art, basketball to broadcasting, tonight’s honorees embody the dynamic spirit of our borough.”
The Walk of Fame inductees, in exchange, shared their gratitude to the Bronx. Rodriguez posted a video to social media of the reveal of his sign on the Walk of Fame, thanking the borough that raised him for the incredible honor.
“This moment is history, and I’m deeply humbled to be a part of it,” Rodriguez said. “The Bronx gave me grit, gave me vision, gave me the fuel to dream big when I had nothing.”
Wrestling superstar Priest shared videos of his comments ahead of his sign unveiling expressing how humbled and grateful he was to be honored by the Borough that he loves.
“This is by far my favorite day of my career,” Priest said.
As his sign on the Bronx Walk of Fame was later unveiled, Priest said, “that right there is going to live forever.”
The gala also honored the New York Yankees and the Bronx Music Heritage Center with the Tourism Award for their continued impact on the borough. Bronx-born DJ and producer Derrick “D-Nice” Jones received the Key to the Borough for his role in uplifting the community through his popular virtual series, “Club Quarantine,” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a modern twist on tradition, this year’s honorees were added to the newly launched Bronx Walk of Fame mobile app developed in partnership with New York base software company, Hubspire. The Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC) Chief of Staff Luis Garcia, who spearheaded the effort to digitize the Walk of Fame said that the app will make it easier to interact with the legacy of the borough and explore its most celebrated figures.
“Whether you’re a lifelong Bronxite or visiting for the first time, this app helps you connect with the stories and achievements of those who’ve shaped our borough’s rich history,” Garcia said.
