Urban Tech 20th Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner, NYC
When: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 @ 6PM
Spotted: Gotham Hall, NYC
Deets: The National Urban Technology Center (Urban Tech) celebrated its 20th anniversary fundraising gala on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Attracting 350 business, community, education and philanthropic leaders, elected officials and student ambassadors from New York City and the surrounding area, the annual gala has established itself as one of the City’s premiere fundraisers, honoring those who are invested in improving the education, youth leadership development, health and workforce development of citizens in underserved and under-resourced communities. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Dr. Reatha Clark King and the Honorable Vernon E Jordan will serve as Honorary Chairs for the evening.
This year, Urban Tech is paid tribute to three exceptional leaders who have distinguished themselves in the areas of philanthropy, education, social justice, and corporate leadership.
Russell Simmons received the 2015 Visionary Award for his visionary philanthropy and activism which is just as robust as his entrepreneurial enterprise. After he succeeded in bringing marginalized voices to mass audiences—and cross-marketed a youth cultural movement in music, comedy, fashion and poetry—he co-founded, with his three brothers, his social action and philanthropic enterprises: Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the Hip–Hop Action Summit, and the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. Through his good works and social action, Russell is indeed “branding” the way to do good in this world.
Annette Bening, four-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe award winner, received the 2015 Humanitarian Award for her steadfast commitment to social justice. She has made a significant difference and lasting impact on the world community by lending her voice, her celebrity, and her philanthropy to the cause of world health, education, homelessness, human rights, hunger, poverty, human trafficking, the environment, and the arts. Through her work, she has influenced the policies and programs designed to address these critically important 21st Century issues.
Douglas McNeely, Managing Director, BlackRock, received the 2015 Community Leadership Award. His advice on Wall Street Game Plan, Squawk Box, etc., helped to provide guidance through challenging, uncertain global markets. Just as importantly, Doug is committed to giving back and serving the community. Through the Salvation Army, the Sacred Heart School of New York, and his alma mater, Duke University, he has helped to guide and fund these venerable institutions with his philanthropy and thought-leadership.
Founded in 1995 by former IBM executive Pat Bransford and headquartered in New York City, Urban Tech is a not-for-profit educational corporation developed to connect students and families, in under-served communities, to digital literacy, financial literacy, comprehensive health education and life skills that are critical to academic and career success. Our mission is to transform lives through the power of technology by giving youth the capacity for positive behavior and academic success. We achieve our mission by teaching students essential life skills and by training and coaching parents and educators to support social and emotional learning.
Urban Tech has built a network of 750 computer training centers, 200 youth development programs and 150 financial literacy programs. We have reached 15,000 students in 100 schools and over 500,000 people in 40 states. This year alone, we have students and partners in 16 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
They have 5,000 active members and a network of 6 school districts (Flagler Beach and Brevard County, FL, Dayton, OH, New York City, New York, Newark, New Jersey and Milwaukee, WI.) They are also a major partner of the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) and the State University of New York (SUNY).
Spotted: Russell Simmons, Annette Bening, Douglas McNeely, Warren Beatty, Lorriane Toussaint, Alicia Quarles, Maurice Dubois, Dascha Polanco, Shaquelle Evans, Chris Collins, Kristen Taekman, Leslie Lopez, Darrin Dewitt Henson
What's Trending: @UrbanTechCenter #UrbanTech20 #educate #edtech @UncleRUSH
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