TIME100 Next Gala Celebrates Emerging Leaders with Toasts of Hope and Resilience

The 2026 TIME100 Next Gala brought together a diverse group of rising artists, innovators, politicians, athletes, and more in Manhattan on October 29 to honor this year's list of influential individuals.

The evening featured a performance by Grammy-nominated singer Raye, who has achieved significant stardom in recent years. The gala also provided a platform for honorees to share toasts about their sources of hope and the individuals who have supported their journeys.

Among those who delivered remarks were Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, actor Himesh Patel, singer-songwriter and content creator Alex Warren, Food4Education founder Wawira Njiru, and Saturday Night Live star Ashley Padilla.

Tyrese Maxey

Tyrese Maxey opened the toasts by acknowledging his fellow honorees, stating, "For me, it’s just an honor to be amongst all of you and be able to speak today. What motivates me, honestly, is y’all." He shared his personal motto of aiming to get "1% better every single day," a principle encouraged by his father, who told him "the sky’s the limit." Maxey also highlighted how his platform has allowed him to pursue philanthropic endeavors, including launching a nonprofit foundation to support his community.

Himesh Patel

Himesh Patel reflected on the power and influence held by many in the room, emphasizing the importance of using that influence for good in "precarious times." He shared his journey from growing up in a village in Cambridgeshire, England, where his immigrant parents ran a corner shop and instilled in him a strong work ethic. Patel noted the contrast between his ancestors living under colonialism in India and his presence at the gala 103 years later, attributing his achievements to their resistance and his parents' pursuit of a new life. He defined hope as "an act of defiance" and encouraged others to embrace it.

Alex Warren

Alex Warren recounted a childhood anecdote about his father, who taught him to question perceived limitations with the response, "What if you fly?" Warren described his father's unwavering support for his early musical aspirations. However, he also shared the profound grief of losing his father at age 9. He found solace in music and connecting with others who appreciated his work, ultimately performing for millions worldwide. Warren concluded his toast by celebrating not just the act of flying, but having "someone there to catch you if you fall."

Wawira Njiru

Wawira Njiru, co-founder and CEO of Food4Education, emphasized that the future is built by people, not just technology. "The most valuable resource on this planet has never been the things we extract... It's the things we grow. The things we nurture," she stated, referring to the potential within African classrooms. Food4Education provides over 600,000 meals daily to children across more than 1,500 schools in Africa. Njiru stressed the importance of investing in these young people, noting that while AI offers advancements, essential human effort remains critical. She shared her experience growing her nonprofit, Food4Education, without losing sight of the people they serve, and expressed hope in the possibilities that arise from investing in and with people.

Ashley Padilla

Ashley Padilla, an SNL star, began her toast with humor, referencing memorable sketches. She then shared a more vulnerable perspective, admitting the difficulty of feeling like she "should not be here" and recounting past struggles with self-doubt and attempts to quit comedy. Despite these challenges, a persistent inner voice encouraged her to "keep going." Padilla recalled a moment in her mother's car, crying over academic failure, when this internal encouragement to persevere was particularly strong. Her toast concluded with a message of gratitude for that voice that pushes everyone to continue.

The TIME100 Next Gala was presented by Rolex, Toyota, American Airlines, Danantara, Project Management Institute, and Target.