The Wall Street Hotel welcomed celebrities, philanthropists, and members of New York City’s creative community on June 22 for its annual Summer Sunset Rooftop Pride Celebration, raising support for the Perry Moore Hero Fund Scholarship and the Hetrick-Martin Institute.
Held atop the hotel’s rooftop overlooking Lower Manhattan, the evening brought together advocates, artists, and cultural leaders to celebrate Pride while supporting educational opportunities and mental health resources for LGBTQIA+ youth. Hosted by Andy Cohen alongside fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, PAPER Magazine Editorial Director Mickey Boardman, Hero Fund founder Hunter Hill, HMI Chief Development Officer Amy Harclerode, producer Jason Weinberg, philanthropist Allison Sarofim, The Wall Street Hotel General Manager Prince A. Sanders, and others, the event underscored the power of community-driven philanthropy.
Carson Kressley and a guest
Photo Credit: Madison McGaw, BFA.com
Throughout the evening, guests including Sophia Bush, Carson Kressley, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Candice Kumai, Kevin Aviance, Eric Rutherford, Timo Weiland, Kendis Gibson, Ty Hunter, Adria Petty, and New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher gathered in support of the organizations’ shared mission of empowering LGBTQIA+ young people through education, advocacy, and access to essential resources.
Hunter Hill and Cynthia Rowley
Photo Credit: Madison McGaw, BFA.com
The celebration featured remarks from Sanders, Harclerode, and Cohen, who reflected on the importance of creating opportunities and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth. Their messages reinforced the evening’s purpose while honoring the legacy of the Perry Moore Hero Fund Scholarship and the longstanding work of HMI, the nation’s oldest LGBTQIA+ youth services organization.
Kevin Aviance and Julian Andrew
Photo Credit: Madison McGaw, BFA.com
Entertainment remained at the heart of the celebration, beginning with a spirited performance by drag icon Shequida before guests filled the dance floor to a lively set from DJ Lina Bradford. Interactive experiences, including colorful floral bouquets, cotton candy wig creations, a sparkling bling bar, and THC-infused mocktails, added playful touches that reflected the joyful spirit of Pride Month.
Guests also enjoyed a culinary program curated by Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser and Beverage Director Amy Rancine, with seasonal cocktails and passed bites served throughout the evening as attendees connected beneath the Manhattan skyline.
For The Wall Street Hotel, the annual gathering has become more than a Pride celebration—it serves as an opportunity to bring together supporters from across New York’s hospitality, entertainment, fashion, and philanthropic communities in service of a shared cause. By spotlighting the Perry Moore Hero Fund Scholarship and Hetrick-Martin Institute, the evening reaffirmed a collective commitment to investing in the next generation of LGBTQIA+ leaders while celebrating the resilience, creativity, and strength that Pride represents.
