For over three decades, Emmy Award–winning actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph has used her platform to merge entertainment with empowerment.
This year, her beloved DIVA Foundation marked its 35th anniversary with a dazzling celebration that honored not only glamor and artistry but also community, compassion, and HIV awareness.
The milestone was celebrated through Ralph’s signature event, DIVAS Simply Singing!, one of the longest-running HIV/AIDS benefits in the nation. The 2025 gala, held in Los Angeles, drew a constellation of stars from television, music, and theater, each paying tribute to Ralph’s enduring legacy of advocacy. Founded in 1990 in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, The DIVA Foundation began as a labor of love, dedicated to using entertainment as a powerful tool for education and healing.
“Thirty-five years later, we’re still singing, still serving, and still saving lives,” Ralph shared on stage. Dressed in a show-stopping gown, the Abbott Elementary star radiated both elegance and conviction as she spoke about the foundation’s mission to destigmatize HIV and support those affected by it.
Over the years, The DIVA Foundation has expanded its reach beyond HIV awareness to include broader health and wellness initiatives, particularly in the Black community. Through partnerships, digital outreach, and cultural events, the organization continues to break barriers and empower individuals to live healthy, authentic lives.
This year’s anniversary also featured a special archival showcase highlighting 35 years of impact, photos, performance footage, and behind-the-scenes moments that captured the spirit of Ralph’s lifelong commitment to advocacy. Attendees reminisced on performances from icons like Patti LaBelle, Faith Evans, and Jennifer Holliday, who have all graced the DIVA stage in years past.
Beyond the glamor, Ralph’s message was clear: the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. “We celebrate, but we also recommit, to love harder, serve deeper, and make sure no one is forgotten,” she said.
With 35 years of purpose-driven artistry behind her, Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to prove that true divas uplift and inspire. Her foundation’s legacy stands as a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose, when the spotlight shines not just for performance, but for progress.
