Urban League Receives $500,000 grant in from JPMorgan Chase
Urban League Receives $500,000 grant in from JPMorgan Chase
Banking firm committing support to Center for Working Families at 40th anniversary Red Gala
The Urban League of Broward County received a $500,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase during its annual Red Gala fundraiser held Saturday September 26 in Ft. Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk community The “Sistrunk under the Stars” event hosted over 600 guests including supermodel Beverly Johnson to raise funds for the Urban League’s programs and services.
This year’s Red Gala raised nearly $300,000, which along with the contribution received by Chase will support children and families living in the Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
“Chase continues to be a strong supporter of the Urban League’s Center for Working Families,” said Teresa Boyd, a market leader for JPMorgan Chase in South Florida and senior vice president of business banking. “When we invest in financial prosperity opportunities for families in our community, we are making our community that much stronger for all of us.” Boyd accepted a Leadership Award presented to Chase at the event.
In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Urban League elected to host this year’s gala on its campus to showcase the vast improvements being made to the Broward County Services District.
“I believe that communities are shaped by the narratives said about them,” said Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County. “There was no better way to celebrate our anniversary and further shape the narrative about Historic Sistrunk being a thriving community to work, start a business and raise a family.”
The evening kicked off with an exclusive cocktail reception held at the African American Research Library & Cultural Center. The reception was hosted by Sunshine Health and featured celebrity guest Beverly Johnson who gifted autographed copies of her new memoir, The Face That Changed It All to private reception guests.
Following the reception, guests traveled to the Urban League’s Community Empowerment Center which featured live entertainment by the Nikki Kidd Band and a raffle which featured attractive items, including Madonna concert tickets, roundtrip airfare on JetBlue and a 50” Emerson Slim-LED Television. Guests then strolled along a Hollywood-inspired Walk of Fame –which featured the stars of local figures and organizations – into an outdoor tent held at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park.
Among the evening’s award recipients was Albert Tucker, vice president of multicultural business for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, who was recognized for his remarkable impact on multicultural tourism and community engagement in Broward County. Tucker received the 2015 Margaret Roach Humanitarian Award, presented by Wells Fargo. David Ruiz, president of the Florida Region for UPS, received the Diversity Champion Award, presented by Tripp Scott, P.A., for his ongoing leadership in diversity and inclusion at UPS. The final award was presented to Urban League client, Barbara White who received the “Star” award, presented by Macy’s, Inc., along with a $250 Macy’s gift card.
As part of this year’s celebration, the Urban League had garnered the support of the following sponsors: JPMorgan Chase & Co; Sunshine Health; Enterprise Holdings; SunTrust; Wells Fargo; Bank; BankUnited; JM Family Enterprises, Inc.; Macy's; Show Technology; Tripp Scott, P.A.; Aetna American Express; Broward County; Broward Health; Comcast; EDCO Awards, Fifth Third Bank; Florida Power Light; Holy Cross Hospital; Shutts & Bowen, P.A.; South Florida Times; TD Bank; Yellow Cab /All Go Shuttle; American Tennis Association; Broward College; Broward Sheriff’s Office; Castle Group; City Furniture; Cox Media Group Miami; DavidiPhoto; Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Nova Southeastern University; United Parcel Service; WSVN Channel 7; Accelerated Learning Solutions, Inc.; BB&T; BCA Watson Rice; D. Stephenson Construction; JetBlue; McKinley Financial Services, Inc.; NBC Channel 6; Toshiba Business Solutions; Walmart; WPLG Channel 10; Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals Network; African American Research Library & Cultural Center; B. Ocean Hotel; Citi; Florida Memorial University; Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation; Haliczer, Pettis & Schwamm, P.A.; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina; MBSC, Inc.; Reading Pays More; S. Davis & Associates; Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa; Westmoreland Protection Agency
About the Urban League of Broward County
Celebrating 40 years of service, the Urban League of Broward County is a not for profit organization founded to empower communities and change lives. Our mission is to assist African Americans and other disenfranchised groups in the achievement of social and economic equality. Our “Breaking the Cycle” of poverty programs uplift more than 7,000 people every year through affordable housing initiatives, youth development and diversion, employment and training, community empowerment, and civic engagement. Learn more about the Urban League of Broward County by calling 954-584-0777 or visiting: www.ulbroward.org. Urban League of Broward County can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/ulbroward and on Twitter at @ULBroward.