+ POOL hosted its Spring Gala at Manhatta in Lower Manhattan, celebrating a decade of innovation and community engagement. The evening’s highlight was honoring Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, author, and advocate Don Lemon for his unwavering commitment to equity and progress. Lemon, recognized for his fearless storytelling and advocacy, delivered a poignant speech underscoring the importance of accessible public spaces and the transformative power of community-driven initiatives. 

“When I grew up, they filled-in community pools with dirt and concrete because they didn’t want races mixing. That’s one of the reasons Black kids don’t know how to swim now. It carries on through generations. That’s not just a historical fact–it’s a scar. And scars do not heal on their own. They need intention, they need repair, and they need vision.” -Don Lemon at + POOL Spring Gala, May 19, 2025

He emphasized the significance of +POOL’s mission to reclaim New York City’s waters, ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of background, have the opportunity to engage safely and joyfully with their environment.The gala brought together New York City’s visionary changemakers, united by a shared commitment to environmental innovation and social equity. As +POOL prepares to launch its first floating, self-filtering pool in the East River, the event served as a testament to the collective effort required to make our city’s waters swimmable and accessible for all.