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April 7, New York, NY - On April 3rd,
The New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC) and
affiliate United Social Services, Inc. honored David N.
Dinkins, the 106th Mayor
of New York, with the inaugural Dr. Phyllis Harrison-Ross
Public Service Award. The program featured tributes and
anecdotes from First Lady Chirlane McCray, Congressman
Charles Rangel, tennis
legend John McEnroe, Randy Levine, President of the NY
Yankees, and Harry
Belafonte, Jr., Kennedy Center National Medal of Arts
recipient. WABC TV Correspondents Nina Pineda and Sarah
Wallace, served as emcees.
The benefit kicked off with an exciting
performance by Alton Fitzgerald White, starring on Broadway
for the past 12 years as King Mufasa in The
Lion Kingsinging “A Whole New World” and “They Live in
You”, and culminated in a performance by Pilar Hill on
violin. Pilar is 8 years old and attends the Noel Pointer
Foundation School of Music dedicated to training young
people in classical music.
Elinor Tatum, Editor of The Amsterdam News,
presented the Rising Star Award to Mecca Santana, New
York State's Chief Diversity Officer, for her contributions
to improving workforce diversity and inclusion in NY State,
and leading new
initiatives to increase opportunities for minority and
women-owned businesses. Dr. Phyllis Harrison-Ross, NYSEC’s
Trustee, Chairwoman of affiliate United Social Services
Inc., and public servant, presented the award for public
service to her friend, David N. Dinkins. “This award is
named for Dr. Phyllis Harrison-Ross - who is an exemplar of
that commitment,” said NYSEC Board Member Heather Grady,
Award Chair.
Mayor Dinkins’ accomplishments included
introducing the “Safe Streets, Safe City” program that
helped to reduce the crime rate significantly; negotiating
the cleanup and transformation of Times Square; persuading
the U.S. Tennis Open to build a highly profitable stadium in
New York; improving the standard of overall health services
for children and the poor; and bringing Nelson Mandela to
New York as the first stop on his US trip after being
released from decades of prison. “Mayor Dinkins has been a
tireless leader and advocate for New York City and its
citizens“, said Congressman Charles Rangel, Honorary Chair.
“I congratulate my brother for this
well-deserved honor.”
The program culminated in a conversation
between Mr. Dinkins and Dr. Harrison-Ross, moderated by
Harry Smith, Emmy
Award Winning Correspondent for NBC.
Colgate Palmolive and The New York Yankees
generously served as presenting sponsors. Additional
sponsors included ING, Cisco, HealthFirst, Metropolitan
Transit Authority, Wines of South Africa and The Harlem
Brewery.
For over 130 years, the New York Society for
Ethical Culture and its affiliate United Social Services,
Inc. have consistently served the New York area community
with programs and public service initiatives to help uplift
the lives of the under-served.
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