Charlize Theron and John Stankey to Be Honored (Previously Announced)
Ms. Lauryn Hill Approved Photo
Charlize Theron Approved Photo
John Stankey Approved Photo
New York, September 28, 2026 — Eight-time Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer Ms. Lauryn Hill will perform at amfAR’s Second Annual Dallas Benefit Gala. The event will be held Saturday, October 24, at the home of Kathleen and Scott Kirby. amfAR Dallas is a keystone event for amfAR and is focused on raising funds for the organization’s HIV cure research and efforts to improve global health.
Ms. Lauryn Hill rose to international prominence as the sole female member of the Fugees, one of the most successful and influential hip-hop groups of all time. She later launched a historic solo career with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album earned five Grammy Awards in a single night. Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of her generation, Ms. Hill has inspired generations of musicians and helped expand the possibilities for women in hip-hop and contemporary music. In 2026, she became the inaugural recipient of BET’s Living Legend Icon Award, recognizing her enduring impact on music and culture.
“It is a privilege and an honor to welcome the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill to amfAR’s Dallas gala,” said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford. “Her artistic brilliance has redefined the landscape of modern music and we could not be more excited for her performance which is sure to be a highlight of the night.”
As previously announced, amfAR will recognize philanthropist and Academy Award-winning actor Charlize Theron for her humanitarian work with the organization’s Award of Inspiration. In addition to her acting success and principal involvement with her production company, Theron serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and the founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), which strengthens the health and safety of youth in Southern Africa to unleash their power and potential. CTAOP partners with community-based organizations to support sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, and the fight against gender-based violence.
AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Stankey will also be honored with amfAR’s Philanthropic Leadership Award. Under Stankey’s leadership, AT&T has made significant progress on connecting more people to greater possibilities. Since becoming CEO in 2020, he has dedicated the company’s philanthropic investments and tens of thousands of employee volunteer hours each year to help more people access essential resources like telehealth, educational tools, job applications and resources, banking and financial services, and more. By focusing on access, affordability, and adoption, the company has made significant strides under his leadership to help narrow the digital divide – the gap between those with internet access and the tools to use it and those without.
Despite enormous progress over the last 40 years, ending AIDS remains an important goal. Effective treatments, many of them developed with the help of amfAR’s groundbreaking research, have rendered HIV a manageable condition for millions worldwide. But nearly 10 million people living with HIV currently do not have access to lifesaving medication, including nearly 600,000 children. In the U.S., Southern states have the highest HIV rates in the country, accounting for more than half of new HIV diagnoses nationwide.
Under the visionary leadership of amfAR Trustee Cindy Rachofsky and Howard Rachofsky, and through the remarkable generosity of the Dallas community over the past 26 years, amfAR supporters in North Texas have raised more than $66.5 million to advance the organization’s groundbreaking biomedical research.
Blvgari will be the evening’s Signature Sponsor. The event will be supported by Burgess Yachts, Casa Dragones Tequila, Piper-Heidsick Champagne, RUMOR Rosé, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. amfAR Dallas’ Official Hotel Partner is The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.
amfAR Dallas will include musical performances, cocktails, a black-tie dinner, and a live auction of luxury goods, one-of-a-kind experiences, and contemporary art.
About amfAR
amfAR is a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and transforming global health with a primary and enduring commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Serving as a catalyst for breakthrough science, amfAR supports innovative research in areas where viruses and the immune system play a defining role, including cancer, neurological conditions, autoimmune disorders, and other viral diseases. Through strategic investments, global research partnerships, and evidence-based policy leadership, amfAR helps accelerate discoveries that improve health and save lives. Since 1985, amfAR has raised more than $950 million and awarded in excess of 3,900 grants to scientists worldwide.
Ticket and Tables: https://www.amfar.org/special-event/amfar-dallas-2026/
Media Contact:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Senior Director, Communications, Bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Credential Requests:
Melissa Rubenstein, amfAR Media Relations Associate, melissa.rubenstein@amfar.org
