NEW YORK, 22 MAY 2025, Two-time Super Bowl Champion, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Malcolm Jenkins made history last week as the first professional athlete to partner with Phillips for a contemporary art auction. Held on 14 May as part of Phillips’ Day Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art, the Game of Art auction raised over $100,000 in support of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation’s mission to empower underserved youth through education, mentorship, and opportunity. This groundbreaking partnership placed Malcolm Jenkins’ cultural lens and philanthropic mission at the center of an artist-driven auction, highlighting the power of art to create access, equity, and long-term community impact. The auction followed a dynamic preview event on 9 May that welcomed nearly 500 guests to Phillips’ Park Avenue galleries. The evening featured a compelling conversation moderated by NFL legend Brandon Marshall between Jenkins, artist Dominic Chambers, and Phillips’ Patrizia Koenig, Co-Head of Day Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art. Together, they explored the intersection of legacy, ownership, and the power of Black artistry to transform both markets and minds. “This wasn’t just a fundraiser, it was a statement. We brought together culture, creativity, and community to show what’s possible when Black artists are centered and celebrated,” said Jenkins, Founder and Chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. “The fact that over $100,000 was raised through art, not charity, is proof that we don’t just need new models, we can build them.” The curated selection featured works by six visionary Black artists, each offering a bold and layered interpretation of identity, memory, and imagination: • Yo Yo Lander, Helen, 2023 • Anthony Akinbola, Spanish Moss, 2025 • Hebru Brantley, Dreamcatcher, 2025 • Adrian Armstrong, Luke 15:24, 2025 • Dominic Chambers, Thunderscape (Crimson Child), 2025 • Tavares Strachan, We Are In This Together (Pink), 2019 “What moves me most is knowing that young people across the country will benefit from programs funded by Black creativity. This auction wasn’t about ego or exposure. It was about building something bigger than any one person, something lasting. That’s what legacy looks like,” says Jenkins. Ferguson Amo, Associate, Modern & Contemporary Art, Phillips, shared, “Collaborating with Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation on this groundbreaking auction was both an honor and a milestone for Phillips. The Game of Art highlights how cultural engagement can drive meaningful change, bridging worlds and opening doors for the next generation. It was inspiring to witness how art became a catalyst for access, dialogue, and tangible support for youth across the country." This artist-driven auction is a bold extension of the Foundation’s mission, using culture as a catalyst for community uplift and aligning with TMJF’s focus on transformative learning and enrichment experiences. The Game of Art initiative also kicks off the 15th anniversary of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in June 2025. Founded by Jenkins and led by his mother, Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, the Foundation provides programs focused on educational equity, financial literacy, and creative career programming for underserved communities across the country. “As we celebrate 15 years of service, this auction is a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t only about what we build, it’s about who we uplift,” said Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President and CEO of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. With collectors, artists, athletes, and cultural influencers in the room, the Game of Art proved that philanthropy, creativity, and cultural capital can, and must, move together. To learn more or support the Foundation’s mission, visit www.themalcolmjenkinsfoundation.org.
Ferguson Amo introducing The Game of Art panel
ABOUT PHILLIPS
Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design, and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning. Visit phillips.com for further information. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
ABOUT THE MALCOLM JENKINS FOUNDATION
Founded in 2010, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity celebrating 15 years of effectuating positive change in the lives of youth in underserved communities. TMJF is committed to providing transformative and innovative learning opportunities, resources, and experiences, along with unwavering support, to empower youth to succeed in life and become contributing members of their communities. For more information, visit: https://themalcolmjenkinsfoundation.org/
(Press Release)
