The Derby, live
The Kentucky Derby on multiple screens, with the whole room watching.
The Austin Alphas & The Austin Alpha Foundation Present
Black & Gold
Derby Day Affair
Austin, TexasSaturday, May 1, 2027Venue TBA
An afternoon and evening of hats, tailoring and the Kentucky Derby on every screen. Hosted by Austin's Alphas in support of the Austin Alpha Foundation.
ScrollBenefiting the
Austin Alpha Foundation
Austin Alpha Foundation
The Experience
Come for the race.
Stay for the experience.
Five hours of hors d'oeuvres, Derby cocktails and a room where everyone has clearly thought about their outfit. The Kentucky Derby runs live on multiple screens, raffles and contests run all afternoon, and the cigar lounge stays open outside.
The room keeps growing.
So does the impact.
Every hat, every toast and every cheer at the finish line has gone toward the Austin Alpha Foundation’s work in our community. Two Derbys in, the tradition is set. Come be part of year three, May 1, 2027
The Fashion
What will
you wear?
Wide brims, fascinators, seersucker, pastel tailoring. Two trophies go home at the end of the afternoon: Ladies' Best Hat and Men's Best Dressed.
Ladies' Best Hat Contest
Brims, blooms and feathers. Judged on the floor, no sign-up required.
A past winner, crowned on the floor
Men's Best Dressed Contest
Tailoring, colour and nerve. Bring the hat.
A past winner, crowned on the floor
Why Attend
Ohh-Six reasons the room fills up every year
Hors d'oeuvres & cash bar
Derby themed cocktails, poured all afternoon.
Outdoor cigar lounge
Open air, good company, slower conversation.
Raffles & prizes
Drawn on the mic through the afternoon.
Black-owned vendors
Local makers and businesses set up through the venue.
Where proceeds goIt funds the work
Proceeds benefit the Austin Alpha Foundation and its projects such as the Leadership Development Institute.
Get your tickets
Sponsorship
Put your brand
in the experience.
A dressed-up, well-connected Austin crowd for a full afternoon and evening — on the step-and-repeat, in the raffle, on every phone in the room. Packages for 2027 are being finalised now.
Tier one
Presenting Sponsor
$5,000+
For corporations & regional brands
Supports LDI's overnight leadership retreat and sends four young men on the 2027 HBCU College Tour.
- Exclusive naming rights: '3rd Annual Black & Gold Derby Day Affair presented by [Your Brand]'
- Premium logo on all materials, signage & souvenir booklet
- 1 VIP table & 8 tickets to Derby Day Affair & 2 tickets to AAF Scholarship Brunch
- Brand spotlight in event program
- Full social campaign (pre/during/post) + named in sponsor emails
Tier two
Gold Sponsor
$2,500
For established local businesses
Sends three young men on the 2027 HBCU College Tour and supports the Austin-area college pathways tour.
- Logo on event signage, souvenir booklet and event program
- 4 VIP tickets to Derby Day & 2 tickets to AAF Scholarship Brunch
- Verbal recognition during program
- Social shoutout package + named in sponsor emails
- Featured listing in Black Business Directory
Tier three
Silver Sponsor
$1,500
For growing businesses & firms
Sends two young men on the 2027 HBCU College Tour.
- Logo in souvenir booklet & event program
- 2 tickets to Derby Day Affair & 2 tickets to AAF Scholarship Brunch
- Social media recognition
- Listing on AAF website
Tier four
Community Partner
$750
For small businesses & startups
Sends one young man on the 2027 HBCU College Tour.
- Name/logo in event program
- 2 complimentary tickets to Derby Day Affair
- Social media recognition
Two sold-out years, 350+ guests, nearly $10,000 raised for Austin. Custom packages and in-kind contributions — venue, food, printing, A/V — are welcome.
- 4,967 Facebook & Instagram followers
- 257-person email list
- 500 printed souvenir booklets
Save the Date
Put it on your calendar
Date
Saturday, May 1, 2027
Time
4–9pm
Venue
Austin, TX — TBA
Dress
Derby chic — hats encouraged
Tickets
On sale soon — TBA
Parking
Details TBA
Frequently asked
What time should I arrive?
Doors open at 4pm and the evening runs to 9pm. The Derby is watched live on multiple screens; post time for 2027 has not been announced yet.
Do I have to wear a hat?
No, but most people do — and there are two style contests on the floor. Derby chic is the brief.
Is there food?
Hors d’oeuvres are served through the afternoon, with a cash bar pouring Derby themed cocktails.
Where do the proceeds go?
The Austin Alpha Foundation, and specifically the Leadership Development Institute — the youth mentorship programme Derby Day directly funds.
Schedule
4:00Doors, hors d'oeuvres and cash bar
TBAThe Kentucky Derby, live on multiple screens
TBAHat and best dressed contests, raffle draws
9:00Close
Sponsorship and vendor enquiries: austinalphafoundation@gmail.com