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NYUL 60th Dinner
The New York Urban League’s (NYUL) 60th Annual Frederick Douglass Dinner and Gala was a resounding success, bringing together 500 leaders from across sectors to honor individuals using their platforms to uplift and empower others. Centered on the theme RISE, the evening reaffirmed the League’s mission, with President Arva Rice urging guests to do more, give more, and be more.
The event opened with a VIP reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony, including an invocation by the Rev. Jacques DeGraff, welcoming remarks from New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and a special video message from National Urban League President, Marc H. Morial. The event was hosted by Errol Louis, political anchor, Spectrum News NY1. NYUL Board Chairman Malcolm Ellis delivered remarks on behalf of the Board, followed by a special message from Tina Byles Williams, Gala Chair, and Founder, CEO and CIO, Xponance. Co-Chairs include Airbnb, Joyce and Juanita Foundation, Uber, and Verizon.
The distinguished roster of 2026 Honorees included:
Whooi Goldberg, EGOT- , winning Actor, Producer, Author, Entrepreneur, Activist, and Humanitarian
Priscilla Brown, President and CEO of Amalgamated Bank
Chip Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group
Anne Williams-Isom, Former Deputy Mayor and lifelong public servant
Leaders in attendance included Danny Meyer, founder and executive chairman of the Union Hospitality Group; Cheryl McKissak, president and CEO of design and construction company McKissak and McKissak; media personality Bevy Smith; and Robin Hood Foundation CEO Richard R. Buery, Jr., who all presented awards. Also in attendance were members of the 2026 Host Committee, Nick Arrington, Charlie Lewis, Jr., Andi Gilletine, Selena Hill, and Cecilia and Jerome Hurt; NYUL Board members Maggie Brun, Rodney Capel, Lloyd Chin, Malcolm Ellis (Chairman), Andi Gillentine, Laura James, Charlie Lewis, and Helen Shelton. The event was produced by Dwight Johnson of Dwight Johnson Design. Communications for NYUL is managed by FINN Partners.
In addition to a woodwind rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing by the New York Philharmonic’s Anthony McGill, guests were treated to a spoken word performance of Maya Angelou’s iconic “And Stil I Rise,” by Lyrical Faith.
Proceeds from the 60th Annual Frederick Douglass Dinner and Gala directly support new and expanded programming and community services, enabling the New York Urban League to continue its critical work. Founded in 1919 as one of New York’s oldest civil rights organizations, NYUL has helped individuals and families gain access to jobs, schools, and hospitals. Through initiatives like academic support, college access programs, and career readiness mentorships, NYUL has made a lasting impact, from connecting students with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to supporting Bronx Legacy High School’s 89% graduation rate.
