Give To Empower supports the inaugural edition of a new global cultural initiative created to expand access to music, fashion, and creative education. The first gathering, presented in April 2026 under the theme After The Stone, marks the beginning of an ongoing series that will evolve in form, location, and artistic focus over time. Each future edition will carry a new theme, while continuing the same core mission: to ensure that creative talent is given the access, mentorship, and structure necessary to fully emerge.

After The Stone represents the moment when raw potential begins to take shape. It reflects the belief that creativity does not develop in isolation, but through exposure to instruments, education, discipline, and cultural environments that allow young people to see what is possible for themselves. This inaugural event brings together designers, musicians, cultural leaders, and patrons in New York City to establish the foundation for what will grow into a recurring international platform supporting creative education and cultural participation.

This initiative is designed with a global future in mind. Following its debut, future editions are intended to appear in other cultural capitals, including Paris, Amsterdam, and additional cities aligned with the world’s leading fashion weeks and creative communities. In time, the program aspires to exist alongside the international cultural calendar, creating opportunities for young people everywhere to connect with creative industries that have historically remained difficult to access.

Proceeds from Give To Empower directly support organizations and programs that provide under-resourced youth with musical instruments, lessons, mentorship, and access to creative education. These resources help transform curiosity into skill, and skill into opportunity. By investing at this early stage, supporters help establish not only the success of this inaugural gathering, but the continuation of a global platform that will carry this mission forward for years to come.

After The Stone is guided by a small group of cultural leaders whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to creative excellence, education, and access.

The inaugural edition is presented with the patronage of Her Highborn Lady Eloise van Oranje, whose foundation work and cultural leadership have helped advance creative opportunity through fashion and philanthropy. Her presence affirms the importance of investing in creative education as a lasting cultural responsibility.

The experience is created in collaboration with Angelo “Doc” Velasquez, founder of Invite Only Studios in New York City. Through his work across music, photography, and cultural production, Doc has helped shape environments where artists and ideas can develop at the highest level. After The Stone extends that commitment by directing attention toward the next generation.

Concert pianist Gabi Rijnveld contributes her perspective and ongoing support to the program, drawing from her lifelong work exploring the relationship between music, healing, and human development. Her presence reflects a shared belief that access to instruments and creative practice can transform confidence, identity, and possibility, and affirms the importance of introducing young people to music as part of their broader creative education.

Together, their leadership helps establish the foundation for a global cultural initiative dedicated to expanding access to creative education for young people in New York and beyond.

Participation in this first edition holds particular significance. It helps lay the foundation for a cultural institution at its beginning, setting in motion a long-term effort to expand access, restore opportunity, and shape the future of creative education. Each contribution supports the work today while helping ensure that future editions can continue to reach new cities, new communities, and new generations.

Give To Empower Presents After The Stone

With the Patronage of Duchess Eloise van Oranje