Luminaries, partners raise thousands for Medgar Evers students at gala
Anyone, particularly someone of color, who is not serious in these times, has to check themselves in terms of what鈥檚 going on.
By David Gil de Rubio | dgilderubio@mec.cuny.edu
Those stirring and profound words were a centerpiece of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 annual Legends & Legacy Social Justice Scholarship Gala & Dinner on December 7.
Nodding in agreement with Mr. Williams鈥� words, the audience was filled with luminaries that included聽聽and her mother, the Honorable聽, the聽, and聽
This year鈥檚 theme was Re-Imagine, Re-Engage and Re-Invest鈥攁 call to action for attendees and the local community to rally around 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 well-known dedication to social justice, a cornerstone of the school鈥檚 legacy dating back to its founding. The evening featured a number of deserving individuals and organizations being honored for individual accomplishments to go with their continued and unwavering support of MEC and its students. Sponsors included , Paramount, , , , , the , Est茅e Lauder and Capri Holdings.
Opening remarks were given by , Vice President and Special Advisor to the CEO of EmblemHealth, who was an honorary co-chair of the gala along with Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, who was unable to attend. Hulse, who has spent more than two decades of executive leadership create programs and supporting local and international health initiatives was inspired enough to annually pledge $1,000 to a scholarship over a three-year span.
The evening started with the presentation of the Leadership Legacy Award to Katie L. Davis, president of The Community Council of 黑料吃瓜网. Named for one of the late co-founders of 黑料吃瓜网, the award was presented by , the youngest daughter of the award鈥檚 namesake. Vann highlighted Davis鈥� role as a devout Christian woman with a passion for voting rights. Since the establishment of the scholarship program, the Community Council has awarded $300,000 to deserving students.
Presenting the Social Justice Champion Award to the was Geraldyne Raphael, 黑料吃瓜网 Student Government Association President. The MEC student, who recently changed her major from public administration to a civil rights law track, was an appropriate choice of presenter given Robinson鈥檚 work for the community as the former New York State Assemblywoman for the 56th Assembly District. Robinson鈥檚 spirited acceptance speech found her inviting up her family and Delta Sigma Theta sisters.
Building off a relationship forged with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce over Zoom by Dr. Patricia Ramsey, MEC鈥檚 president, during the pandemic led to the organization receiving the Bridge Builders Award. CEO/President Lloyd Williams accepted the award on behalf of the chamber and expressed his love for the late Dr. Vann. The two local icons first met in Harlem at the Rucker basketball courts, both learning from the words of Williams鈥� godfather, Malcolm X. Williams capped his acceptance speech by pledging $10,000 from the Chamber to MEC for Dr. Ramsey to use at her discretion.
The Sustaining Partner Award was given to , the nation鈥檚 premier personal injury and civil rights law firms. Managing attorney , whose grandparents lived a stone鈥檚 throw from the MEC campus and is the daughter of the late , accepted the award. The evening was rounded out by EmblemHealth getting recognized with the Community Investment Champion Award and receiving the Equity and Impact Award.
PIX11 News鈥� award-winning correspondent Jay Dow served as the master of ceremonies for this sold-out event with providing music for the festivities. The award-winning journalist kept the program鈥檚 pace flowing briskly, including highlighting the evening鈥檚 silent auction that included a pair of Jet Blue tickets, a signed football and an array of African artwork donated by the estate of Dr. Richard Schuster.
The silent auction will continue going forward into the new year.
The evening raised thousands of dollars and counting for 黑料吃瓜网.