Celebrating 20 years of breaking barriers by improving lives, teaching critical life skills & empowering youth with technology
New York, NY (May 2015) – On Wednesday, June 17th The National Urban Technology Center will host its 2015 gala benefit celebrating Urban Tech’s 20 years of service connecting students and families to digital literacy, financial literacy,comprehensive health education and life skills that are critical to academic success. Over 300 corporate and community leaders who have all pledged their support of the organization’s vital mission will attend Urban Tech’s gala.
The National Urban Technology Center has thrived, grown, and expanded since they were first established in 1995. When the program first began they were aiming to close the digital divide by providing computers and technology to schools and community-based organizations. Striving to utilize technology as a teaching tool for digital and emotional literacy, they created the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA), an award-winning, web based e-learning curriculum that uses technology, animation, music, and games to engage students in the learning process and equip them with essential skills to become productive, self-fulfilled, and achievement-oriented leaders. YLA draws students into a highly stimulating digital world that motivates them to improve self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making through simulation and role-playing activities. Students are motivated to prevent anti-social behaviors, such as bullying, become life-long learners and leaders, and develop the skills essential to success in a 21st century global environment. Urban Techhas trained thousands of students in over 850 schools and community based organizations across the United States, including more than 100 New York City public schools and afterschool programs.
This year’s gala will be held at Gotham Hall, an exquisite venue in the heart of New York City known for its style and sophistication. Proceeds from the event will benefit The National Urban Technology Center and go towards supporting youth by giving them the capacity for positive behavior and academic success.
The evening begins with a VIP cocktail party at 6pm, followed by the dinner and awards ceremony, and an exciting silent auction. Maurice DuBois, award winning anchor of “CBS 2 News This Morning” and the weekend edition of “CBS Evening News,” will serve as our Master of Ceremonies for the evening alongside E! Entertainment News personality, Alicia Quarles.
This year The Urban Tech Gala has assembled another group of distinguished honorees including four-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe award winner Annette Bening, who will accept the Humanitarian Award; Douglas McNeely, Managing Director of BlackRock, who will accept Urban Tech’s Community Leadership Award; and Russell Simmons, business magnate and co-founder of the music label Def Jam, will accept the Visionary Award for his philanthropy and activism.
There will be anexciting silent auction with amazing items such as a week long stay in Saint Thomas, Madonna concert tickets, Keith Lloyd custom-designed men’s and women’s couture and more.
Countless notable celebrities and personalities have taken part in previous galas including Michael Bloomberg, Mariska Hargitay, Ambassador Carl Spielvogel, Senator Kirsten Gillibrands, Senator Thomas Daschle, Patti LaBelle, Blair Underwood, Star Jones, Judy A. Smith, Richard Kind, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Daphne Rubin Vega, Lori Stokes, B. Smith, Miss USA Olivia Culpo, Callie Thorne, Lynn Whitfield, John Starks, Cynthia Rowley, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Hill Harper, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and Tatum O’Neal.
The event will be held at Gotham Hall in Midtown West. It is located at 1356 Broadway, New York, NY.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL URBAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER:
The National Urban Technology Center (Urban Tech), a not-for-profit educational corporation, transforms lives through the power of technology by giving youth the capacity for positive behavior and academic success. Urban Tech achieves its mission by teaching students essential life skills, and by training and coaching parents and educators to support social and emotional learning. Urban Tech’s flagship programs, The Youth Leadership Academy® (YLA), The Financial Education Network (FEN) and SeedTech®, are delivered online to enhance the ability of schools and after-school programs to reach and effectively teach all students.
