The stars shined bright this weekend at the 2019 Kentucky Derby Eve Trifecta Gala, the premier Kentucky Derby Eve event of the year.
Each year, the charity gala brings out a star-studded crowd to the black tie-event to support and slay.
This year’s gala, which took place on Friday, May 3, featured an intimate performance by Usher. Past performers to have the honor have been Jill Scott, Earth Wind and Fire, Miguel, Chris Rock and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.
DJ Ferno spun tunes to keep the crowd, which included Steve and Marjorie Harvey, NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, going all night long.
The annual event is organized by the Bridgeman family, led by retired NBA guard and entrepreneur Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, and includes his children Justine, Ryan and Eden Bridgeman.
As this year’s media partner, ESSENCE helped to continue the tradition of culture and community at the Friday evening kickoff event, with CEO Michelle Ebanks on hand to enjoy the festivities.
See the best moments from the 2019 Kentucky Derby Eve Trifecta Gala here!
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Atmosphere during the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Usher performs at The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Justin Bridgeman, Ryan Bridgeman, Doris Bridgeman, and Eden Bridgeman attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Bozoma Saint John attends The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Gordon Ebanks, Michelle Ebanks, Doris Bridgeman, Justin Bridgeman, and Eden Bridgeman attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Marjorie Harvey, Phaedra Parks, Steve Harvey, and Connie Orlando attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Steve Harvey appears onstage at The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Vivica A. Fox attends The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Michelle Williams (L) and Mike Edwards attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Connie Orlando, Bozoma Saint John, Star Jones, and Vivica A. Fox attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Quincy (L) and Von Miller attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: A view of the atmosphere at The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Amerie, Nene Leakes, and Michelle Williams attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Michelle Ebanks (L) and Gordon Ebanks attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Kendra Bailey (L) and Bryson Tiller attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Steve Harvey and Marjorie Harvey attends the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Chris Tucker attends The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Star Jones, Connie Orlando, Vivica A. Fox, and Phaedra Parks attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Quincy attends the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo attends the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Star Jones attends The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child attends the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Kenny Burns, Bozoma Saint John, and Xavier Champagne attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Chad Johnson, Michelle Williams, and Chris Tucker attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Phaedra Parks, Vivica A. Fox, and Star Jones attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Kenny Burns (L) and Mike Edwards attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Connie Orlando, Phaedra Parks, Star Jones, Quincy, and Vivica A. Fox attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Quincy (L) and Eden Bridgeman attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Bozoma Saint John attends The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Cynthia Bailey attends the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Congresswoman Maxine Waters (L) and husband Sid WIlliams attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Orlando Pace, Carla Pace, Vivica A. Fox, and Larry Fitzgerald attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: (L-R) Bozoma Saint John, Cynthia Bailey, Michelle Ebanks, and Doris Bridgeman attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Bozoma Saint John (L) and Michelle Ebanks attend The 2019 Trifecta Gala at KFC YUM! Center on May 3, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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2019 The Trifecta Gala
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 03: Von Miller attends the Trifecta Gala on May 03, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.
