“Informing the Young Professional”
www.nyul.org/nyulyp
E LECTION 2008:
H IS TO RY MADE
by Neferkaari Mitchell, Nechari Riley and Sabrina Gates
2008 Presidential Campaign Issues
The Communications Committee presented an interactive presentation of key issues surrounding the 2008 presidential campaign for the October General Body Meeting. Crucial factors in this election raised by both Republican nominee Senator John McCain and Democratic nominee Barack Obama include health care, family, finances, and education. Political scenarios were displayed in an anonymous format to provide open discourse on which candidate best addressed the particular scenarios.
Pre-Election Pep Rally
Excitement about the coming historical election filled the packed room at the Red Sky Lounge for the Election Pep-Rally held on Monday, November 3, 2008. The event provided a social outlet for YP members and guests to express their latest sentiments on the presidential nominees, and also afforded attendees an opportunity to discuss how the future president would affect the personal and professional lives of all Americans. One of the speakers for the night, Kevin Powell, elaborated on the significance of then Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s possible victory. Powell insisted that no matter the outcome of the election, YP members had a duty to increase social responsi-
Volume II, Issue 2
Fall 2008
bility through continued community activism.
“A Change Has Come”
With the help of campaign manager David Axelrod, Obama ran one of the smoothest, sufficient and flawless campaigns in American history. Raising an unprecedented $600,000,000, the secret to his success was not as much a secret as it was an innovative design. Obama employed new forms of communication which included advertising to video gamers, online communities and conference calls to leaders of the African American community. To that end, it’s no surprise President-elect Obama established 66 million votes, comprising 14 million new voters, taking nine swing states and 95% of the African American vote. Obama’s message inspired young American voters, utilizing pronouns such as “we” and “us” instead of “you” and “I,” which has been synonymous with Washington politics. As the New Year approaches, it is estimated that millions, excited by the thought of being part of history, will travel to Washington, DC to bear witness to the inauguration of the first Black President of the United States of America. President-elect Obama has the daunting task of repairing a severely weakened financial system, ending an unpopular cash draining war and at-
tracting the support of southern and mid-western citizens that vowed never to accept an African American president. However, if history has taught us anything, Obama can easily change the minds of the leery and pessimistic if he successfully runs his administration as smoothly his campaign. continued on page 4
I n si de This Issue: Election 2008 Front Page Coverage Going Green 3 Holiday Tips 5 September General Body Meeting 6 Afro American Parade 6 Health Initiative Walking Tours 7
In Every Issue: President’s Message Member Spotlight 3 Career Advice YP Snapshots YP Chapters Nationwide
2 4 8 9
Learn About the YP Committees Upcoming Events Meet the Board
10 10 11
Editor-In-Chief Althea Kitchens
Managing Editor Tameka Curwen
President’s message
Asst. Managing Editor Jazmin Haygood
Copy Editor
Tealeda Nesbitt
Contributors
Sabrina Gates Sidney B. Joyner Neferkaari Mitchell Tealeda Nesbitt Kimberly Parris Nechari Riley Temitayo Shajuyibge Aisha Taylor O.B. Wilson
Logo Design Sabrina Gates
Executive Board Quiviya Eldridge, President YPPresident@nyul.org Monique Myles, Vice President YPVicePresident@nyul.org Greg Scott, Treasurer YPTreasurer@nyul.org Raniece Medley, Secretary YPSecretary@nyul.org Sidney Joyner, Civics & Economics Chair YPCivicsEcon@nyul.org Althea Kitchens, Communications Chair YPCommunications@nyul.org Rahshib Thomas, Community Service Chair YPCommunity@nyul.org J. Maurice Pearsall, Fund Development Chair YPFundDev@nyul.org Kameelah Dixon, Membership Chair YPMembership@nyul.org Want to write for The Griot? E-mail TheGriot@nyul.org
Friends, On November 4, 2008, most of us were waiting with baited breath as news stations across the country reported the Presidential election results. By the time the polls closed in California, we knew that this country would never be the same. That very same night, President-elect Barack Obama, proclaimed that “change has come to America.” We have finally begun to close the door on many of the painful memories and stifling stereotypes that had held people of color back in the past. We should all feel proud. But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels today; we must use this momentum to heighten our work. The downturn in our economy has touched every American, but is has disproportionately affected our communities. This situation can be attributed to many factors, and one of the most pressing is the lack of education. While we have lost thousands of Wall Street jobs, we have permanently lost millions of low-skilled jobs. According to the New York City Department of Education, less than 50% of Black and Hispanic children graduate high school in four years, and this lowers the numbers in advanced education as a result .This translates to much less opportunity for work and much more competition for the very few low-skilled positions that may be left out there. The economy will come back again, but what of our youth? Horace Mann, an acclaimed educator, deemed that education,”beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of man.” Without sufficient education we are relegated to the whims of others, while education empowers us to make our own way in the world. As YPers, we have made a commitment to serving our community. We will celebrate when Barack Obama is sworn in as President on January 20, 2009, but let us not forget that there is much more work to be done. Yours in the Movement, Quiviya Eldridge President
which yield 1,000 hours of life, to a fluorescent bulb saves you 10 light bulb changes and approximately $40.00 in electric costs over the 10,000 hour life of the fluorescent bulb.
Going Green by Sidney B. Joyner Fall has arrived offering the gifts of breathtaking foliage and holiday cheer! It is a season of renewed energy and a great time to reacquaint ourselves with the environment in which we live. This brings me to the topic of “Going Green”. I define going green as human action taken to preserve and replenish our environment, fostering a harmonious relationship between us and our planet.
To give the budding entrepreneurs among us an idea about the boom in the green business sector, it is estimated that this boom is fueled by 100 million or more consumers who make purchases guided by health and environmental concerns every year. Overall, the green economy is worth more than $209 billion in annual sales and is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2020 according to the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Journal, which tracks green economic trends.
There are many ways to go green in our daily lives. This article will highlight two aspects. The first is steps we can implement to go green in our homes. The second explains how the growing green movement offers business opportunities to the young professional. At home, the opportunities to go green are enormous. A simple gesture like turning off the lights when you leave a room, even for a short period of time, saves energy. Changing one 60 watt incandescent bulb,
Member Spotlight:
Josh Barker
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Journalist for the New York Amsterdam News Graduate of Alabama State University Member of HBCU Alumni Council of New York and New York Association of Black Journalists Favorite YP moment - “I was covering the Urban League’s HBCU Fair for the Amsterdam News and it was love at first sight. I was attracted to what the organization was doing and knew that I would be able to offer my time in continuing the greatness of the NYULYP.” Fun fact – Barker is an avid musician and has played trumpet and flute since high school
Recycling, or better yet, eliminating the use of plastic bags saves our environment of pollutants for generations to come. To put the plastic bag issue in perspective, NYC government is contemplating adding a fee of 5 cents onto every plastic bag used in a new purchase to reduce the use of them. Wow!
Keep in mind that going green can save you some green and that we can all participate in preserving and enhancing the quality of life we share on earth.
Christopher Phang, MD
Risa Dixon
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Print Production Assistant in Modern Publishing – a children’s book publishing company Attended St John’s University, Jamaica, NY, hopes to earn a Masters degree in Corporate Communications Why YP? “I was looking for an organization that knew the importance of educating our people in the areas of finance, politics and health. My favorite thing about YP is the membership.” Fun fact – Dixon studied dance since she was 5 years old. Her favorite is African because it’s so energetic.
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Pediatrician and Director of Harlem Pediatric Associates A graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, Phang is currently doing Pediatric Residency Training at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital Why YP? “With my educational background and experience, I can be a great resource to move the organization forward in achieving its goals, in particular as it relates to youth and health issues in our community.” Fun fact – Phang was elected “Top 40 Under Forty” in the Network Journal, a news magazine for black professionals
Election 2008 continued from page 1
BASICS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Community Organization
Community Organizing was a major foundation for the Obama camp to push his experience and credibility — despite opposition discrediting this fact. However, its is a respectable call to action in many African American communities and the basis of which the Urban League was founded. How does one organize members of your community to affect positive change? This was the question raised as 16 members and two guest of the New York Urban League Young Profession-
als gathered together to educate themselves about the process of community organizing. The more than two and a half hour workshop was led by Arif Ulla, Director of Neighborhood Resources for the Citizens Committee of New York. The Citizens Committee is a nonprofit organization whose aim is to empower the citizens of New York to take action in improving the quality of life in the neighborhoods in which they live. To this end, they work with grass roots organizations and community groups providing skills training, small grants and
Form a core group Identify an issue Identify a mission and goals Identify allies Anticipate opposition Develop a blueprint or strategy Decide on concrete activities Create a timeline Recruit people Keep and engage people Identify materials Conduct an assessment / Evaluate outcomes Basics of Community Organizing Citizens Committee of New York City
other resources to help New Yorkers achieve their goals. During the program, the effectiveness of organizing and the limitations of nonprofit organizations was discussed, as shown in the chart above. The program was the first in a series of Personal and Professional Development Programs organized by the Membership Committee to help YP “GET FIT.” “FIT” stands for Full Invested Today and is designed to promote the National Urban League’s Five Point Empowerment Agenda.
G et TAY LO R m a d e — Re a dy for a Career Change “I’ve been in my current field for almost five years now, but I’m desperately seeking a career change. I don’t know where to start or what steps I should take. How can I go about pursuing a completely new career?” - Ready for a Change It’s never too late to start a new career. If you don’t already have a new career in mind, you’ll first want to conduct thorough research in order to choose a path that matches your skill set, experience, and education. While you may not have direct experience in your new career of choice, you certainly have acquired transferable skills that can be applied to any field. Consider contacting a professional career consultant to help identify your skill set and guide you in choosing the field that
will be best for you. You can also visit websites like www.usnews.com/careers for great information and studies on the best and worst careers. You’ll also want to look at the average salary for a beginner in your new field. Some fields honor past experience that is unrelated, while others will only offer entry level positions, despite your previous experience. Review your current financial situation to determine whether or not you can afford to take a pay cut, just in case your new field is one that only pays experienced professionals well. The best way to determine whether or not a new career is for you is to gain experience. Actively seek an internship, fellowship, or shadowing opportunities where you can
get hands-on exposure to the field you are considering. You don’t have to quit your current job in order to be an intern. Start off by completing just a few hours a week working closely with someone who is already doing what you want to pursue. This first-hand exposure will more than likely help you to make a final decision. Remember, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t follow your dreams and pursue your professional goals. Go for it! The best is yet to come! Send your career questions to thegriot@ nyul.org. Aisha M. Taylor, MPA is the Owner and Chief Consultant of TAYLORmade ~ Professional Career Consulting (www. careertaylormade.com).
Sh o ppi n g O n A Budget by Tealeda Nesbitt
In today’s tough economic times, it is important that we spend money wisely especially during the holidays. Here are a few tips to help you buy gifts for your loved ones without breaking the bank: • Create a Budget. Realistically think about how much you can afford to spend on holiday gifts and write that number down, don’t stray from it. When creating your shopping budget, you may want to think about travel fees and/or entertainment expenses if you plan on leaving town or hosting guests for the holidays. • Make a List of everyone you need to shop for and write down how much you can to spend on each person based on your budget. • Shop Around. Visit websites that compare store prices on the items you want to purchase. Some stores will match or beat their competitors price. Also consider shipping fees and travel time and cost--an item on sale on the other side of town may not be cost efficient in the end.
• Use Coupons. Many retail stores have discount coupons or promotional codes in the newspaper or online during the holidays. Also, be on the look out for online stores that offer free shipping with a minimum purchase or before a certain date. • Use Reward Points. The holidays are the best time to cash in reward points from your favorite credit cards, stores and websites. If you have store’s return policy and keep your receipt. several reward cards compare the number Give your loved ones a gift receipt with their points for the items that you want. present so they can return or exchange their • Ask for Sale Adjustments. Some gift at their own discretion. retailers will offer shoppers a discount on • Keep track of your Purchases and items that were purchased a week before Expenditures. As you purchase a gift cross the item went on sale. (*Usually 14 days) that person off your list. Keeping up with • Go to Discount Stores. If you plan your spending will ensure you don’t go over to buy multiples of the same gift, large budget. discount stores are a safe bet because they offer items in bulk usually at a more Source: Federal Trade Commission, Business Wire reasonable price than boutique stores. • Keep your Receipts. Ask about the 2008, Chief Family Officer
Ho l i d ay ‘ L e f tover ’ Recipes by Chef Parris
Sweet Potato Pancakes with Orange Spiced Butter 2 cups all purpose flour, sifted 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg 2 cups milk or vanilla soy milk 4 teaspoons butter, melted (plus extra for the pan) 2 large eggs 1 to 1 ½ cups candied yams (or sweet potatoes), pureed or smashed
Combine all dry ingredients (except sugar) in one bowl. In another bowl, combine candied yams, milk, butter, and eggs. Preheat your pan or griddle to 325 degrees, or until water beads up and sizzles immediately on the surface. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Use a ladle or spoon to form pancakes in hot pan. Serve with Orange Spiced Butter. Orange Spiced Butter 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon orange juice Combine all ingredients and reform in Ziploc bag or saran wrap. Chill until ready to serve.
Apple Cranberry Muffins 1½ cups all purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup chopped apple ¼ cup cranberry sauce ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup butter, melted 1 large egg ½ teaspoon lemon extract (vanilla can also be used) ¼ cup walnuts (optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Pour mixture in muffin tin sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with muffin liners, mixture should almost fill tin. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
S e p t e m b e r G e n e r a l B o dy M e e t i ng by Neferkaari Mitchell
Believe, Speak and Achieve There is a view in our society of showing the gloom and doom The first story on most news channels is to show the horrific action that has happened that day. Everyone looks at TV, hears news and we become a more desensitized society Sometimes the first thing people say is “Did you hear what happened?” which is often followed by some not fortunate event. Why? Why do we accept this state? Why is this ok? The most successful people in our society do three things: Believe – Know in their inner being they will achieve the goal. They have a consistent thought they will “get there”, wherever there is or “achieve that”, whatever that is. Speak – They communicate their achievement or success, which they believe in. The people around them hear them as they talk about this belief. Achieve – They do the background work, planning, networking and other steps to achieve. Even if they have to change this, move that, wait for something, they get to their goal. We all should remember to Believe in the better world, Speak about the good things and how we will also grow and Achieve our goals. Believe, Speak and Achieve a new light and new way for our world…
— O.B. Wilson (c) 2008
New York City’s Deputy Mayor of Education, Dennis Walcott was the first speaker in the Executive Leadership Forum, a series of discussions with former leaders of the Urban League, to discuss the importance of leadership and building upon the legacy of the movement to become leaders in the larger society. Dennis Walcott was President/CEO from 1990 to 2002. Now part of Mayor Bloomberg’s administration, the Deputy Mayor touched on the importance of hard work and reaching goals but more importantly seizing opportunities as they present themselves. “One lesson I’ve learned, always take risks” he expressed, referring back to 2000 when he took advantage of a meeting with then candidate Michael Bloomberg for an opportunity in his administration. “Be accessible,” another phrase the deputy mayor not only uses in speeches but lives by. At age 34 in the 80’s or “crack babies and AIDS era,” as he called it, Walcott was the Executive Director of Harlem Dowling West Side Center for Family and Children Services. He took this job, a fulltime position paying $16,000, after turning down several higher paying positions including a part-time job that paid a $1,000 dollars more, establishing his loyalty to civil service. Even with a dual Masters Degree in Education and Social Work and a marriage that has spanned across two decades and produced four children, Dennis Walcott is still passionate about his work with the city he pledged to serve. His commitment to the Urban League is reflected by the Urban League tattoo on his arm.
H i s t o ry o f the African A m e r i c a n D ay Parade by Kimberly Parris
On Sept. 21, the Young Professionals held a voter registration drive at the 39th Annual African American Day Parade, held in the heart of Harlem. But one might ask themselves, “What, exactly, is the African American Day Parade, and where did it come from?” The African American Day Parade was created in 1968 by a group of concerned citizens and community board members from Harlem. Feeling that there was a lack of city wide representation of African American
culture, the organizers formed a committee to petition the city to allow them to host a parade geared towards African Americans, their culture, food and civil rights movements. The parade, held in Harlem due to the large population of African Americans in the area, starts at 111th Street and 7th Avenue, and ends at 142nd Street. The grand marshal of the first parade was Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Other famous grand marshals include Mayor David Dinkins, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Johnnie Cochran and Spike Lee. The parade is classified as a national parade with representatives, organizations and bands from 12 states. Over 900,000 viewers attended the parade in 2007. The parade continues to be a means of expression of black culture and the progress that has been made.
H e a lt h by Temitayo Shajuyigbe The road to good health is paved with many paths. One may argue that achieving this goal is more of an overall lifestyle than an actual destination. According to The State of Black New York, cardiovascular diseases rank as the No.1 killer of African Americans, that is 36.4 percent of the 290,000 blacks that die each year.1 Hereditary aside, many diseases can be alleviated through simple lifestyle changes like low impact walking and diet. This year YP proposes low impact activity such as walking to promote good health . And not just walking for the sake of exercise, but in conjunction with a series of borough walking tours. In this way, YP connects with the community and members learn about their surrounding neighborhoods. The 2008 health initiative consists of an informative guided walking tour of each borough.
H a r l e m / B r o o k ly n I n i t i at i v e W a l k i n g T o u r s Participants toured the neighborhoods of Harlem, upper Manhattan, and Bedford Stuyvesant, Weeksville, Crown Heights, and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn. In the heat of the summer YP attracted a crowd for both walks. With a good mix of members and non-members, the tours have been a comfortable 5K/3.1 mile walk with various stops and memorable moments in between. Who can forget the impromptu tune belted out by a local sax player on the sidewalk in Harlem or the brief stop for fresh fruits and vegetables at the unexpected farmer’s market in historic Weeksville in Brooklyn? Upcoming tours are expected for the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. With the opportunities that lay ahead, in exploring existing neighborhoods in this rich urban fabric that we live, YP looks forward to seeing you at the next health walk. Happy Walking! The State of Black New York New York Urban League 2007 1
YP Snapshots! Members participate in the Community Organizing discussion during the October PPD.
YP members and Father’s Heart KidZone set up games for kids to play.
Member Justin Garrett Moore, right, informing others of the reinvention of Grand Army Plaza
Dwayne Neckles, at the October General Body meeting. YP President, Quiviya Eldridge working hard.
Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and Sydney Joyner at the September General Body Meeting.
Executive Board members at the National Urban League 52nd Annual Equal Opportunity Dinner at Marriott Marquis
What’s Going on in yp chapters? Eastern: Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals (NVULYP) Get ready for some winter fun! The Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals (NVULYP) is hosting the 2nd Annual Winter Weekend Getaway from February 27 – March 1, 2009. This getaway attracts Young Professionals in the Eastern Region from Rhode Island to Virginia for a weekend full of endless activities, all you can eat meals, and skiing for beginners and experts. There will also be live performances by recording artists Keith Sweat and Musiq Soulchild! For more information about the Winter Weekend Getaway or to remit deposits and payments, please visit http://nvulyp.org/WeekendGetaway. aspx.
Central: Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals (TMULYP) Helping out our elders… The Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals (TMULYP) participated in the Make a Difference Day with the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee on November 8, 2008. This year, TMULYP partnered with Interfaith Older Adult Programs to help prepare older residents for the winter months by raking leaves, cleaning windows, clearing gardens, putting up storm windows and other small projects. Each year approximately 1,000 volunteers assist over 300 older adults in winterizing their homes. This year, TMULYP is celebrating 10 years in the Milwaukee, WI community! For more information, please visit www.tmulyp.org.
Southern: Metropolitan Orlando Urban League Young Professionals (MOULYP) Be a teacher for a day… you may learn something. On November 19, 2008 the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League Young Professionals (MOULYP) participated in “Teach-In”, an Orange County Public School program presented each year during American Education Week. Teach-In volunteers spent time reading, tutoring and discussing their careers, travel experiences, and hobbies with students at Robinswood Middle School. This event was sponsored by Bank of America and the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper. The MOULYP hosted the 2008 National Urban League Conference in Orlando, Florida. For more information about the MOULYP, please visit http://www.yporlando.org.
Western: Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals (LAULYP) Survival skills… On October 9, 2008 the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals (LAULYP) hosted an Executive Roundtable Discussion that will focused on providing the necessary skills needed in order to remain marketable during these economic times. Various panelists discussed the effect of the current economy on the banking/finance industry and the real estate market, and assessed the challenges facing entrepreneurs and the prospects of pursuing a graduate degree. Los Angeles Urban League Controller, Kyla Lee, moderated the event. For more information on the LAULYP, please visit http://www.laulyp.org.
The New York Urban League Young Professionals along with the above mentioned chapters are apart of the National Urban League Young Professionals. To learn more about this national network, please visit http://nul.org/youngprofessionals.html. (submitted by Althea Kitchens)
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Membership - The Membership Committee will continue to focus on recruitment & renewal rates, with an emphasis on retention. As we look to solidify our membership at a solid 200 and above we will examine new methods of recruitment, including but not limited to, creating a feeder group. In addition, we will begin to develop programming that will prepare our membership for “The Movement” in an effort to equip our constituents with the skills needed to “Empower Communities & Change Lives.” The membership committee currently has five subcommittees of which any member can join. Committees are: town hall, personal & professional development, member orientation, prospectives and socials. If interested in joining, contact ypmembership@nyul.org.
Communications - In its second year in existence, the Communications Committee has accomplished a great deal and has many more goals to attain for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. With the establishment of our first e-newsletter, The Griot, and the management of internet marketing tools such as Blogspot, Facebook, and Myspace, the Communications team has directly reached out to well over 1,000 young professionals in cyberspace. This year the goal is to reach out to the communities in which we live and serve. We started the year off with the NYULYP Health Initiative: Historic Harlem Walking Tour that had a multipurpose of: getting our members better acquainted with the areas in which we service; familiarizing ourselves with one another, residents and businesses; and keeping us healthy. If interested in joining, contact ypcommunications@nyul.org.
Upcoming Events
January
January 15th - General Body Meeting (the Value of Membership) January 22nd - New Member Orientation
LOOK OUT FOR UPDATES ON THE NYULYP HEALTH INITIATIVE/ WALKING TOURS SCHEDULED FOR 2009
February
February 17th - General Body Meeting (Black Leadership Series) February 19th- PPD (TBD) February 25th - Social (Game Night)
March
March 17th - Town Hall Meeting (Harlem Library) March 28th - REBIRTH! 2009: The Presence of Black
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Fund Development - This committee has been responsible for four years of signature events such as Braggin’ Rights and Rebirth! A major part of the NYULYP financial stability, the Fund Development committee hopes to establish a 50k fiscal campaign. We plan to meet that goal through corporate sponsorship, fundraising events, and matching gifts. Any member with the ability and drive to accomplish these goals is encouraged to join this team. If interested in joining contact ypfunddev@nyul.org.
Civics & Economics - The Civics and Economics Committee annually hosts two financial literacy events focused on educating and empowering our membership on diverse topics in the financial world, and a real estate seminar to keep young professionals in the area in contact with a variety of industry professionals. Currently in the realm of civics we are challenging our membership to become greater forces in the community by organizing and registering voters in all five boroughs. We encourage all members to come out and join the civics and economics committee and be a part of this great team. If interested in joining, contact ypcivicsecon@nyul.org.
Community Service - The Community Service committee has and will continue to partner with Drew Hamilton in Harlem, in their tutoring efforts. We also hope to develop a scholarship fund. If interested, contact ypcommunity@nyul.org.
Meet The New York Urban League Board OFFICERS Chairman Noel N. Hankin, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Initiatives, Moët Hennessy USA Vice Chairman David W. Sussman, Consultant
Secretary Elinor Tatum, Publisher & Editor, The Amsterdam News Treasurer Jean Marie Horovitz, Retired, Managing Director, Commercial Business Group, Citibank, N.A.
General Counsel Michael F. Armstrong, Esq., Howrey, Inc. Facilities Chair H. Sidney Holmes Partner, Winston & Strawn
Capital Campaign Chair Scott Vaccaro Regional Vice President, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
BOARD MEMBERS Carlos Austin, Director of Local Productions/ Community Affairs, CW11
Retired, Asst. VP for Gov’t Relations & Director, Public Affairs, Columbia University
Michael Kansler, Entergy, CEO, President, & Chief Nuclear Officer
Jason Benta, President & CEO, Benta Funeral Homes
Tracey Edwards, Vice President of Region Operations, Verizon
Larry Body, Director for Business Development, Island Ford, Inc.
Quiviya Von Eldridge, Financial Analyst, Turner Construction
Paula Odellas, Correspondence Unit of Manhattan Borough Commissioners Office, New York City Dept. of Buildings
Jeff Burns Jr., Consultant
H. Sidney Holmes, Partner, Winston & Strawn
Dolly Christian, Retired, IBM
Dwight Johnson, President, Dwight Johnson Design
Larry Dais,
Brain Smith, SVP of Corporate and Community Relations, The New York Yankees Tanya Van Court, SVP of Pre-school & Parents Online, Nickelodeon Network
Michael Robinson, GM New York/New Jersey District, Microsoft
Dana Wade, Consultant, Spencer Stuart
Joseph L. Searles, III Consultant
Deputy Counsel to the New York Urban League Board Rachel B. Kane Cooley Godward Kronish
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