Debra Martin Chase will receive the Vanguard in Entertainment Award for rewriting the rule book in Hollywood and as the first Black female producer to land a major studio deal and to produce a film grossing over $100 million. Garnering just over a half-billion dollars at the box office to date, her work has received Academy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG award nominations.

Debra, as a member of the Amsale Aspire Ambassadors Circle, is supporting Amsale Aspire, an FIT Foundation program to continue the legacy of fashion pioneer Amsale Aberra by helping Black students develop transformative, entrepreneurial and executive skills to build successful businesses and careers. Among her many credits she is the Executive Producer of CBS' The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah which was the number one new television series last season.

The 2022 Gala is at capacity. While tickets and tables are no longer available, we continue to encourage donations to support the impactful work happening at FIT.

If you would like to make a donation in the name of Debra Martin Chase, please click Give Now below. 

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For assistance, please contact keri@amsale.com or 212-756-1255.

Can't attend the Gala? You can still make a donation to the Amsale Aspire Endowed Scholarship.

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About Amsale Aspire

The late Amsale Aberra, an FIT graduate and former FIT Trustee, immigrated at age 19 from Ethiopia, and parlayed her talent, drive and FIT education into a global fashion brand. The first Black female designer elected to the CFDA, Amsale is recognized as the inventor of the modern wedding dress.

Galvanized by Amsale's inspiring personal story, AMSALE, the company she founded, and FIT have created Amsale Aspire - an initiative dedicated to achieving racial equality in the fashion industry by creating resilient pathways for Black students to develop transformative entrepreneurial and executive skills to build successful businesses and eminent careers. In addition to providing scholarships to aspiring students, the Amsale Aspire initiative will include mentorships and apprenticeships, as well as career advice, entrepreneurship coaching, and job placement. 

The Amsale Aspire Endowed Scholarship at FIT

One of the pillars of the Amsale Aspire Initiative will be the Amsale Aspire Endowed Scholarship at FIT. By committing to funding scholarships for Black students who aspire to fashion leadership, you can provide Black fashion professionals with access to educational opportunities so they can learn, thrive, and succeed as creative entrepreneurs and leaders.

College costs can be a significant burden for many students and thier families. The recent dual crisis of a global health pandemic and a depressed economy have impacted Black communities the hardest. The Amsale Aspire Endowed Scholarship aims to support brilliant students from these communities with financial aid for education.