In the heart of downtown Seattle, beside the iconic Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) stands as a major institution dedicated to honoring global movements, cultural artifacts and revolutionary artists.
While the venue originally opened in 2000 as the Experience Music Project, its evolution led to a broader rebrand in 2016, and the institution now encompasses fashion, film, gaming= and music across an archive of 85,000 items.
At the core of MOPOP's yearly mission sits the Icons Gala—the organization's flagship fundraising initiative celebrating trailblazers whose creative work shattered barriers and reshaped societal narratives.
A Strategic Vision for Cultural Preservation
When CEO Michele Smith arrived at MOPOP in 2023, she sought to clarify the institution's strategic role within an increasingly polarized landscape. "In 2023, when I got here, one of the things that the funders were asking was: 'Who is MOPOP? What is MOPOP? What is the power of pop culture?'" Smith told Newsweek. To answer these questions, Smith established a comprehensive three-year installation workflow, anchoring all initiatives in four primary pillars while centering marginalized communities.
Community engagement guided this programmatic shift after surveys revealed local populations demanded authentic representation. "If we don't see ourselves within the museum, why would we come?" community members noted, prompting MOPOP to amplify stories from BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and Asian American creators throughout its exhibits. Furthermore, Smith incorporated a layer of social activism into the strategic framework, asserting public figures frequently leverage their platforms to drive meaningful societal change.
Because political discourse dominated national conversation, MOPOP launched its long-term exhibit, Massive: The Power of Pop Culture, which examines celebrity activism through historical artifacts like a Black Lives Matter mural and a protest sign carried by Billie Eilish.
Smith reaffirmed the museum's stance on equity and inclusion. "We are living in a city that is focused on DEAI; we are not moving away from it," Smith said.
The CEO also emphasized the scholarly validity of pop culture, demonstrating how contemporary media serve as accessible educational instruments. "Pop culture is scholarly, and by applying a different lens, our museum works to combat those biases," Smith said, pointing out how the elements of DJing can effectively bridge youth engagement with STEM education.
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Background and Impact of the Icons Gala
The museum's largest annual fundraiser, the Icons Gala, serves as the primary engine funding educational programs, youth advisory initiatives and community outreach. As the gala entered its third decade, leadership renamed the event from the Founders Gala to align directly with its core foundational disciplines: fashion, film, gaming and music.
"It's a chance to celebrate the people who have left a permanent mark on pop culture," Smith observed.
Honorees are selected based on their lasting cultural contributions and dedication to lifting up underrepresented communities. Past galas celebrated visionary figures including Janelle Monáe, Jimi Hendrix, Jeremy Scott and Bruce Lee.
For this year's iteration, MOPOP selected hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa, celebrating their barrier-breaking impact alongside the museum's Contact High: Women in Hip-Hop exhibition.
Redefining Hip-Hop and Female Empowerment
When Salt-N-Pepa entered the music industry, hip-hop operated primarily as a male-dominated domain, yet the group established an enduring standard for female empowerment. Sandra “Pepa” Denton reflected on the group's foundational ethos, emphasizing that their success stemmed from self-assurance.
"Salt-N-Pepa was built on confidence, individuality, and the freedom to express ourselves unapologetically, and those values are just as relevant today as they were when we started," Pepa told Newsweek.
Although critics often reduce hip-hop to pure entertainment, the genre functions as an essential educational medium, and it documents real-life experiences unrepresented in mainstream classrooms.
Pepa highlighted this storytelling power, saying, "Hip-hop gives people a voice, preserves our history, and speaks to real-life experiences that aren’t always represented in traditional classrooms or mainstream media.”
By challenging industry expectations without seeking permission, the group created space for future generations of female creators.
The group's visual identity—from bold hairstyles and gold jewelry to custom leather jackets—became an extension of their lyrical message.
Reflecting on their visual style, Pepa noted, "We wanted to celebrate women’s confidence, independence, sexuality, and individuality on our own terms. We understood that fashion could be a powerful form of self-expression, and we used it to challenge expectations and make a statement."
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Four Decades of Authenticity, Growth and Independence
For Cheryl "Salt" James, receiving recognition at the Icons Gala represents a milestone across four decades in the music business. "It just means that we've made an impression, an indelible impression on pop culture in all the areas: music, fashion," Salt told Newsweek.
"After 40 years in the game, you want to be remembered and celebrated and appreciated, and we've been receiving so much love and appreciation.”
While modern artists navigate rapid digital trends, Salt attributes their endurance to sheer authenticity and distinct visual storytelling. Remembering the creation of their famous "Push It" aesthetic, Salt described how grassroots creativity birthed an iconic look.
"Play from Kid 'n Play was a designer; he designed the jackets, and Dapper Dan constructed the jackets," Salt recalled. She added, "We got the boots from Payless. Me and Pep picked the hats up from a shop next door to the Apollo in Harlem. We looked like hip-hop superheroes.”
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Mark Muir and Edward T. Cummins