PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The stars were out Saturday evening at the 1st annual "Phall Ball." The event hosted at Rivers Casino in Portsmouth saw the SNL alum and his foundation raise funds for the Jay Pharoah Fine Arts Scholarship and honor James Frye.
Frye is not only a retired principal at Indian River High School in Chesapeake, VA. Pharoah calls Frye a "pivotal figure" in not only his upbringing but "countless others."
The evening also featured Phil Thornton, a highly respected entertainment executive and producer, as the keynote speaker. Thornton called the entire night one he would not soon forget.
The Pharoah Phamily Phoundation, co-founded by renowned actor, comedian, and Virginia native Jay Pharoah, is dedicated to promoting and supporting arts in the community – providing opportunities, particularly for underrepresented individuals around the Hampton Roads area.
The "Jay Pharoah Fine Arts Scholarship" recognizes and rewards individuals who demonstrate exceptional skills and a passion for their craft by decreasing financial barriers and providing them with the support to pursue their artistic education and make a positive impact in the artistic community.
"Pharoah Phamily Phoundation, you know, we're aiming to find those kids and give them scholarships," said Pharoah, at Saturday night's gala, "so that, they can pursue their studies and so that, they know somebody else sees them. Because it's important just to be seen."