Grammy-winning music duo and couple Alicia Keys and Kaseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean do not just create award-winning albums, but they also lead The Dean Collection, one of the most significant private collections of contemporary art by Black artists. Their collection contains nearly a hundred pieces by around 40 artists from the Black diaspora, including fellow honoree Sherald. Keys spoke first, highlighting the energy and “magic” of a room full of artists. “We get to architect the life that we want to imagine. We get to architect the art that we live and breathe,” Keys said. “And as an artist, I think one of the most incredible things—and that’s what I feel the most in this room—is a sense of real, true connection and a sense of desire to find your best self and to represent a diverse understanding of life.” Keys said she hoped the honorees and guests, when they leave the room, would leave with that core mission in their hearts and with “openness.” Dean highlighted the work of their tr...