Photo from 2024 (credit Jon Gitchoff)
Contact: Beth Hoop-Communications
Nelly’s Black and White Ball 2025: St. Louis’ Premier Celebrity Gala Returns
The Black and White Ball, St. Louis’ premier celebrity gala presented by CarShield, is making its grand return on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. Hosted by Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, and entrepreneur Nelly, this black-tie event has become a cornerstone of the city’s social calendar, blending star-studded entertainment with a heartfelt mission to give back to the St. Louis community.
For over a decade, from 2006 to 2016, Nelly’s Black and White Ball was a celebrated annual tradition. After a successful revival in 2023, the event continues to shine as a platform for philanthropy, bringing together celebrities, athletes, and business leaders to support local causes.
A Night of Glamour and Giving Back
The 2025 Black and White Ball will raise funds for Make-A-Wish Missouri, an organization dedicated to granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Proceeds from the gala will directly benefit local St. Louis children, ensuring they experience moments of hope, strength, and joy. Additionally, the event will fund scholarships for students at Harris-Stowe State University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU) committed to providing affordable, quality education to underserved communities.
“This event is a celebration of St. Louis — the heart, the generosity, and the love this city pours into its youth,” said Nelly. “For me, giving back to STL is personal, and seeing the city show up year after year, alongside our celebrity friends, partners, and sponsors, to support our kids and help grant these wishes and scholarships means everything to me.”
Star-Studded Guest List and Performances
The Black and White Ball has a reputation for attracting A-list celebrities and performers. Past attendees have included Ne-Yo, Janet Jackson, Wyclef Jean, Monica, Metro Boomin, Nick Cannon, T-Pain, and Ashanti, among others. Sports legends like Allen Iverson, Ozzie Smith, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee have also graced the event, alongside entertainment icons such as Boyz II Men, En Vogue, and D.L. Hughley.
This year’s lineup promises to be just as dazzling, with a diverse group of entertainers, athletes, and business leaders coming together to celebrate and support the St. Louis community.
Photos from 2024 (credit Jon Gitchoff)
Nelly: A Legacy of Philanthropy and Cultural Impact
Nelly, a Double Diamond–selling, multi-platinum artist, has left an indelible mark on music, business, and philanthropy. Known for hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and “Ride Wit Me,” Nelly has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Beyond his music career, he has built a business empire, relaunched his iconic Apple Bottoms fashion line, and expanded his spirits brand MoShine.
A dedicated philanthropist, Nelly has self-funded thousands of college scholarships, supported food and toy drives in St. Louis, and led the largest African American bone marrow drive in history in honor of his late sister. His commitment to giving back is evident in every aspect of his career, making him a beloved figure both locally and globally.
Event Details and Sponsors
The 2025 Black and White Ball is presented by CarShield and produced by Derrty Entertainment and SYNERGY Productions LLC. Sponsors include Apple Bottoms, Walmart, and Date Ideas & Things To Do. For more information and ticket details, visit www.blackwhiteballstl.com.
Neyo/Photos from 2024 (credit Jon Gitchoff)
Related Topics and Further Reading
For more on Nelly’s impact and the Black and White Ball, check out this article on The Narrative Matters. Additionally, learn about the incredible work of Make-A-Wish Missouri by visiting their official website.
Former St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones with Nelly and The St. Lunatics/Photos from 2024 (credit Jon Gitchoff)
ABOUT NELLY
Nelly is a Double Diamond–selling, multi-platinum, 3x Grammy Award–winning superstar whose impact spans music, TV, business, and culture. Since exploding onto the scene with Country Grammar, one of the only hip-hop albums ever to go Diamond, he has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and delivered some of the most recognizable hits of the past 25 years — including “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” “Over and Over,” “Ride Wit Me,” “Just a Dream,” “Just a Lil Bit,” and “Cruise.”
Recently Nelly celebrated the 25th anniversary of Country Grammar, and just wrapped his sold-out Live Nation world tour Where the Party At, he added a residency at Zouk Las Vegas, completed the first season of his reality show “We Belong Together,” and is headlining seven iHeart Jingle Ball dates. He also received an Iheart Icon award in 2025. In 2026, he will release Heartland 2 — the follow-up to his groundbreaking country inspired project — along with a second season of the television series he produced and stars in alongside his wife, Ashanti. The two made global headlines this year with their marriage, the arrival of their first child together, and their hit Peacock reality series that transformed them into America’s sweethearts once again.
Nelly remains one of the most commercially utilized artists in advertising history, with “Hot in Herre” soundtracking major campaigns for Burger King (featuring the Cornell Haynes Jr. Meal) and Lay’s. Over his career, he’s fronted iconic campaigns for Reebok, Got Milk?, Ford, Cheerios, and Mike & Ike, helping shape the blueprint for today’s celebrity-brand partnerships.
Beyond music, Nelly has built a powerhouse business empire. He relaunched his legendary women’s fashion line Apple Bottoms, expanded his spirits brand MoShine, and opened new entertainment concepts including bowling lounges. His entrepreneurial influence began early with Apple Bottoms, Vokal, Pimp Juice energy drink, and even a collaboration with Nike on the “Air Derrty” sneaker. He also served as co-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats with Michael Jordan and continues to grow his Derrty Entertainment label.
As an entertainer, Nelly has starred in The Longest Yard, CSI: NY, 90210, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Nellyville, and became a fan favorite on Dancing With the Stars (bringing custom “tennis-shoe-meets-dance-shoe” sneakers and a viral backflip to the ballroom). In 2013 Nelly continued his on-camera career by signing on to Kevin Heart’s top rated show Real Husbands of Hollywood. The show follows the daily lives of him and other married celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal life in Hollywood. The show has won two NAACP awards, and has been nominated six times. He was the first hip hop artist to perform with some of the world’s top orchestras, judged on CW’s The Next, appeared on The Voice, and American Idol and continues to sell out arenas worldwide.
A dedicated philanthropist, Nelly dedicates his time for Make A Wish with hundreds of wishes and has self funded thousands of college scholarships. Nelly hosted leading the largest African American bone marrow drive in history in honor of his late sister to increase bone marrow and stem cell donor registration within the Black community. He had hoped to find a match for her but did find other matches that saved lives. He has supported DoSomething’s Tackle Hunger campaign and puts St. Louis first every chance he can including food drives and toy drives. Still at the top of his game 25 years in, Nelly remains a cultural force — a global touring star, a business visionary, and a beloved entertainment icon whose influence continues to shape music, fashion, and pop culture.
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Senior Editor, Digital Manager, Blogger, has been nominated for awards several times as Publisher and Author over the years. Has been with company for almost three years and is a current native St. Louisan.
