Selena Gomez and Kenneth Cole will be honored at the 2026 Social Impact Summit x NYC, to be held at the Fashion Institute of Technology on March 30.
The summit will recognize trailblazers in fashion, beauty and philanthropy. Following the success of the SIF 2024 and 2025 Summits in Los Angeles, SIF — which was founded in 2013 with the aim of inspiring accessible philanthropy — and FIT are presenting the summit as a platform for dialogue and collaboration at the intersection of fashion, beauty and advocacy. In addition to the summit, Gomez will receive the Excellence in Beauty Philanthropy Award, and Cole will be honored with the Excellence in Fashion Philanthropy Award.
Gomez, actress, producer, singer, philanthropist and mental health advocate, will be recognized for her work through Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. Founded with a commitment to mental well-being and self-acceptance, Rare Beauty seeks to redefine how the beauty industry supports mental health. The brand pledges 1 percent of all sales to support the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to mobilize $100 million to expand access to mental health services and education for young people worldwide.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the Social Impact Fund and the FIT Foundation,” said Gomez. “Using my platform in a meaningful way has always been important to me. I knew from the start that I wanted Rare Beauty to help create real change. For too long, people have faced mental health challenges without the support they deserve. Through the brand and the Rare Impact Fund, we’re working together with partners to expand resources, reduce stigma and meet young people where they are.”
Cole, who is is both a designer, longtime social advocate and the founder of the Mental Health Coalition, will be recognized for his four decades of commitment to social justice.
“I have always believed that business and philanthropy are not independent; they are in fact interdependent,” said Cole. “To have this work acknowledged, particularly in the mental health space, is incredibly meaningful. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made at the Mental Health Coalition in advancing mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open, honored dialogue — and I remain committed to continuing this important work. And I’m honored to be recognized by the Social Impact Fund for the work I care so passionately about.”
The summit panels will cover such topics as Trailblazers in Fashion and Beauty Philanthropy, Diversity and Importance of Creative Inclusion, and The Sustainability and Impact Mandate. Panelists will come from such companies as MAC Cosmetics, Kate Spade New York, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, the Estée Lauder Cos., and Hope for Flowers by Tracey Reese and Artisan Studio.