How One Conversation with Yvonne Stickney Sparked a 10-Year Cultural Movement
In the summer of 2015, Jarvus Ricardo Hester was preparing to host his very first gala during the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The night was meant to celebrate the work of Live Free Magazine and elevate the voices of Black artists — but hours before the show, the scheduled celebrity host backed out.
And that’s when a miracle walked in.
Yvonne Stickney — stage actress, television icon, and Harlem native — was sitting just a few feet away in the hotel lobby. In her signature mix of elegance and mischief, she said, “They don’t even know who I am anymore.”
Jarvus looked at her and replied, “Darling, I know exactly who you are.”
He introduced himself, explained the situation, and within minutes, Yvonne offered to host. Not only that — she brought her brother, the brilliant soap opera actor Timothy D. Stickney, with her.
They showed up just 20 minutes before the event began and turned what could’ve been a catastrophe into an unforgettable night of laughter, grace, and standing ovations.
That was the beginning.
Now, ten years later, the vision that began in that lobby has become a cultural force. Live Free Magazine evolved into Mood Magazine NYC, and the gala itself and has grown into a star-studded Harlem tradition that funds music education, wellness programs, and year-round cultural productions.
And on October 10, 2025, the gala returns — on Jarvus Ricardo Hester’s birthday — with a 10-year anniversary celebration like no other.
Yvonne Stickney and Timothy D. Stickney have been invited back to host. Karen Bankhead, the comedic legend behind Miss Etta May Mumphries, has been invited too. The legacy continues, but this time in Harlem, where it belongs.
This isn’t just a fundraiser. It’s a homecoming.
A tribute to divine timing.
A celebration of what happens when purpose meets faith.
Join us for a night that honors the past, funds the future, and lifts the spirit of Harlem.
🎟️ Reserve your table or buy tickets now at:
