Bob Iger to Be Honored at the PEN America Literary Gala

PEN America will be honoring executive chairman and former CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger at the annual Literary Gala taking place October 5 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

What’s Happening:

PEN America announced this morning that Bob Iger, executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company, will be honored as the PEN America Corporate Honoree at the annual Literary Gala on October 5.
Iger is being honored for his career at The Walt Disney Company, providing visionary leadership.
Writer, critic, professor, and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates Jr. will receive the organization’s PEN/Audible Literary Service Award for his contributions to literature and history.
The awards will be presented by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
You can learn more about the Literary Gala here.

What They’re Saying:

Suzanne Nossel, PEN America CEO: “While we cannot know for sure what the fall will bring, we are hoping to be live on October 5 with a celebration of writers, storytellers, and the freedoms that make their work possible. The PEN America Literary Gala is a beloved affair and one of the best parties of the year. We are delighted to recognize Bob Iger for his unparalleled role in fueling the life of the imagination worldwide by building on Disney’s iconic history and reputation to find boundless new ways to excite audiences and elevate new narratives through films, books, television, parks, and virtually every other venue in which we imbibe stories. Henry Louis Gates’ curiosity, bracing honesty, and brilliant insights have reshaped the American academy, elevated new disciplines, uncovered lost histories, and sharpened our understanding of America. Both leaders have raised the bar in their respective fields, and we are privileged that they will join us for our 2021 gala celebration.”
Bob Iger, Executive Chairman, The Walt Disney Company: “Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do at Disney, and it is incredibly important to us to tell stories that best reflect the audiences we’re trying to reach and the world that exists today. I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of all of the extraordinarily talented writers, creators, innovators, and visionaries who make up The Walt Disney Company, and look forward to celebrating PEN America and the outstanding work they do at this very special event.”