PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Chesapeake native and Saturday Night Live alumnus Jay Pharoah is returning to Hampton Roads this weekend to raise money for college students pursuing the arts.
Pharoah's Pharoah Phamily Foundation will host the 2026 Jay Pharoah Fine Arts Scholarship Awards — the Phall Ball — on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Rivers Casino in Portsmouth. Grammy Award-winning musician Teddy Riley will appear as a special guest.
Watch: Jay Pharoah Phamily Phoundation Scholarship Gala supports local students on Coast Live
The event aims to reduce financial barriers for high school seniors pursuing undergraduate degrees in the arts, increase art-focused opportunities across the educational landscape and foster a community where creativity and innovation thrive.
Since 2014, the foundation has awarded $95,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors majoring in the arts. Pharoah, an Indian River High School alumnus, launched the effort with students at his alma mater before expanding its reach across the region.
"This started with me just giving the people at my high school, my alma mater, a chance to pursue the arts, and now it has spread ubiquitously," Pharoah said.
Growing up as a self-described drama kid with a deep love for the arts, Pharoah said he believes supporting young creatives builds confidence and helps them feel as capable and accomplished as their peers in STEM fields. That conviction led to the establishment of the Pharoah Phamily Foundation, also known as P3H.
The foundation envisions a world where art-focused students receive equitable academic support and abundant opportunities across the educational landscape.
Among those who have benefited is Keymari Reese, an Old Dominion University graduate and former scholarship recipient who now works at ESPN.
"Just to be bestowed with an opportunity like this has been amazing. You know, college isn't always the best in terms of financials, so, definitely the scholarship definitely helped to pursue my dreams and help me do what I wanted to do with film, and also me leading up to ESPN, so I really appreciate it, and I really appreciate Jay," Reese said.
Pharoah reflected on Reese's success with visible pride.
"I'm really proud of Keymari, man. I'm so proud of him," Pharoah said.
News 3 anchor Jessica Larche will serve as emcee for the evening, which organizers describe as a night filled with music, laughter and heartfelt moments honoring dedication to the arts and celebrating the next generation of creatives.
Tickets are available here.
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