Center for an Urban Future 2023 Gala
Wednesday, October 25th | Tribeca Rooftop
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The Center for an Urban Future's 2023 gala celebrated a year in which CUF's research sparked several policy changes that are helping to create a stronger and more equitable economy in New York. CUF's work helped spark a major new initiative to expand youth apprenticeships, prompted the city to expand the number of dedicated teen rooms in branch libraries across the city, contributed to a mayoral effort to connect more CUNY graduates to tech jobs, led the City Council Speaker to introduce a series of proposals to bolster entrepreneurs living in NYCHA properties, helped convince NYC DOT to expand micromobility options outside of Manhattan, and helped shape a mayoral plan to reform the city’s capital construction process.

We also celebrated honorees who have made a tremendous difference for our city:

NEW YORK CHANGEMAKER AWARD
Presented to: Gregg Bishop
Presented by: Andrew Kimball, President and CEO, NYCEDC
Few have done more than Gregg to strengthen New York’s ecosystem for entrepreneurs of color. As Executive Director of the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund, Gregg is making game-changing investments into the community of Brooklyn, helping to ensure that minority- and immigrant-owned businesses play a leading role in the city’s post-pandemic entrepreneurial boom. As Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, he launched a series of high-impact initiatives that expanded support, capital access, and contracting opportunities for MWBEs and low-income entrepreneurs. 

URBAN VISIONARY AWARD
Presented to: Ron Moelis
Presented by: Adolfo Carrión Jr., NYC HPD Commissioner
Ron, the chairman and co-founder of L+M Development Partners, is the driving force behind a visionary new initiative that is helping public housing residents in New York City to boost incomes and build wealth. Earlier this year, the Ron and Kerry Moelis Foundation developed and funded the $1 million NYC Boss Up Entrepreneurship Program, which provides $20,000 grants—as well as access to advisors and a mix of wraparound supports—to help entrepreneurs living in NYCHA residences to build and grow their businesses. Ron’s leadership on this first-of-its-kind initiative builds on a distinguished career developing affordable homes for New Yorkers and strengthening communities across the city.

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AWARD
Presented to: Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Accepted by: Jeremy Hillman, Senior Vice President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Presented by: Maria Torres-Springer, NYC Deputy Mayor for Economic & Workforce Development
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth is one of the world’s leading catalysts for equitable economic growth, providing game-changing investments in New York and other cities that are bolstering underserved entrepreneurs, helping existing minority- and immigrant-owned firms to grow to the next level, and empowering nonprofits to use data tools to improve social service delivery. In New York, it has provided foundational support for the NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund, Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC), and other innovative programs that are helping to close the racial wealth gap and lay the groundwork for a more equitable economy in New York.