The Fifteen Percent Pledge gala returned to the Latest York Public Library on Saturday night. Just like last 12 months’s inaugural event, the dress code — “Black Tie, Black Designer” — encouraged fashion insiders and industry leaders to point out their support for Black-owned brands as they toasted the evening’s honorees and grant award winners.

Brother Vellies creative director Aurora James launched the Fifteen Percent Pledge initiative in 2020 with the goal of getting retailers to commit 15 percent of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses.

The event honored Bethann Hardison, whose documentary “Invisible Beauty” premiered at Sundance last month, with the Pioneer Award. Beauty brand 54 Thrones received the inaugural Achievement Award presented by Shop with Google, which comes with a $200,000 grant, and award finalists Sergio Hudson and Puzzle of Color each received $35,000 and $20,000 grants, respectively. Two surprise awards were presented to Busayo and Hyper Skin. Winners all received a physical award created by Khiry designer Jameel Mohammed.

Guests included Imaan Hammam, Lori Harvey, Maria Borges, Thom Browne, Karlie Kloss, Tommy Dorfman, Ashley Graham, Dilone, Anok Yai, Tyler Mitchell, Aaron Aujla, Emily Bode, and Brandon Maxwell. Chef Sophia Roe curated the evening’s dinner menu.

“This 12 months’s gala was exceptional because we got the chance to present grants to amazing Black-owned businesses, furthering the Pledge’s mission to assist close the racial wealth gap on this country,” said James. “My life was modified and the trajectory of my business was endlessly altered once I was awarded the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2015. I actually have been committed to pay the chance forward, and it was an honor to present the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s first Achievement Award to the incredibly deserving 54 Thrones.”