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New York, NY – December 15, 2010
– Over 500 guests attended The Metro-Manhattan Chapter of
the Links, Incorporated gala honoring the Governor and First
Lady of the State of New York, David A. Paterson and
Michelle Paige Paterson and Geoffrey Canada, president and
chief executive officer of Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) at
the Capitale in New York City on Sunday, December 12, 2010.
The evening benefitted the Metro-Manhattan Chapter of Links,
a non-profit organization dedicated to substantially
impacting the quality of life for children and families in
Greater Harlem through arts, education and leadership
development.
“We are proud to honor Geoffrey Canada, with the Links’
first Educational Leadership Award, for his outstanding
dedication to Harlem children,” said Anna Maria Harris,
president of the Metro-Manhattan Chapter of the Links, Inc.
“Geoffrey Canada’s achievements are truly inspiring and
empowering so many individuals and families,” added Harris.
The Metro-Manhattan Chapter of Links, Inc. and HCZ share the
goal to create safe, stable and encouraging environments for
Harlem
children and families. HCZ serves more than 8,800 children
in the 100 block area in Harlem, New York City, and a total
of 10,000 children in Harlem overall.
Award-winning CBS 2 News anchor Maurice Dubois hosted the
evening and the gala featured a special performance by the
Millennium Dance Company, a Harlem-based program for young
girls, supported by the Metro-Manhattan Links.
The event was attended by educational and civic leaders
including: Congressman Charles and Alma E. Rangel, Dennis
Walcott, Deputy Mayor for Education, Cassandra Simmons, Dean
Columbia University School of International and Public
Affairs, Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University,
Dr. Sandye Johnson, Principal of Thurgood Marshall Academy
in Harlem, Kathryn C. and Kenneth I. Chenault, CEO of
American Express, Corbett A. Price, CEO of Kurron Shares of
America, Inc., B. Smith and Dan Gasby, Donna Williams, of
the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Corporate sponsors for the evening were the Cochran Firm,
Time Warner, Verizon, JP Morgan Chase, the City University
of New York and Key Bank. The evening included a silent
auction, dinner and dancing to the soulful sounds of
The Package.
Metro-Manhattan Chapter of the Links, Inc. announced the
nationwide expansion of its 12-year-old Young Achievers
program. With a record number of 55 students this year, the
Young Achievers program provides mentorships and life skills
workshops for young African American men. The goal for this
program is to focus on helping these young men of color
graduate from high school and college. Since the program
started, Metro-Manhattan Links has helped over 300 men going
to college over the past twelve years.
About the Metro-Manhattan Chapter of the Links, Inc.
The Metro-Manhattan Chapter of the Links Incorporated
strives to enhance the quality of life in the
Harlem
community through the four facets structured by the national
organization: Services to Youth, The Arts, International
Trends, National Trends and Services and Health and Human
Services. The national organization, The Links, Inc., is one
of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of
women with a membership of over 12,000 professional women of
color in 270 chapters in 42 states, the District of
Columbia
and The Commonwealth of the
Bahamas.
The Links was founded in
Philadelphia,
Pa.
in 1946 to preserve the culture and insure the economic
survival of individuals of African ancestry.
About The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the
oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women
committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture
and economic survival of African Americans and persons of
African ancestry. The Links, Inc. has a membership of more
than 12,000 professional women of color serving in 274
chapters in 42 states, the
District of Columbia,
and the
Bahamas.
Through its philanthropic arm, The Links Foundation,
Incorporated, the organization has contributed more than $25
million to charitable causes since its founding. During this
biennium, Links contributed 1.2 million documented service
hours assisting communities throughout the
United States,
Africa
and other developing countries.
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