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’s going on.
Those stirring and profound words were a centerpiece of Medgar Evers College’s annual Legends & Legacy Social Justice Scholarship Gala & Dinner on December 7.
Nodding in agreement with Mr. Williams’ words, the audience was filled with luminaries that included Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and her mother, the Honorable Una S.T. Clarke, the Honorable Annette M. Robinson, the Honorable Ed Towns, CUNY Chancellor Chief of Staff Dolly Martinez, and CUNY Senior Vice Chancellor of Institutional Affairs, Strategic Advancement and Special Counsel Glenda Grace.
This year’s theme was Re-Imagine, Re-Engage and Re-Invest—a call to action for attendees and the local community to rally around Medgar Evers College’s well-known dedication to social justice, a cornerstone of the school’s 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 EmblemHealth, Paramount, The Cochran Firm, WABC-7 New York, JetBlue, Con Edison, the Center for Law & Social Justice, Estée Lauder and Capri Holdings.
Opening remarks were given by George Hulse, 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 Dr. Albert Vann Leadership Legacy Award to Katie L. Davis, president of The Community Council of Medgar Evers College. Named for one of the late co-founders of Medgar Evers College, the award was presented by Binta Vann, the youngest daughter of the award’s namesake. Vann highlighted Davis’ 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 Honorable Annette M. Robinson was Geraldyne Raphael, Medgar Evers College 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’s work for the community as the former New York State Assemblywoman for the 56th Assembly District. Robinson’s 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’s 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’ 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 Cochran Firm, the nation’s premier personal injury and civil rights law firms. Managing attorney Tracey Brown, whose grandparents lived a stone’s throw from the MEC campus and is the daughter of the late United States Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, accepted the award. The evening was rounded out by EmblemHealth getting recognized with the Community Investment Champion Award and The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation receiving the Equity and Impact Award.
PIX11 News’ award-winning correspondent Jay Dow served as the master of ceremonies for this sold-out event with Olu Ramsey and the Olcuination Band providing music for the festivities. The award-winning journalist kept the program’s pace flowing briskly, including highlighting the evening’s silent auction that included a pair of Jet Blue tickets, a signed New York Giants 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 Medgar Evers College.