The New York Women’s Foundation’s 2018 Neighborhood Dinner

The New York Women’s Foundation (The Foundation) celebrated the achievements of three exceptional Brooklyn women who have a passion for economic, gender, and racial justice at its “Neighborhood Dinner in Brooklyn” on Thursday, November 15. As leaders and advocates, Julia Jean-Francois, LCSW, PhD, Co-Director at Center for Family Life in Sunset Park; Alyssa Aguilera, Co-Executive Director of VOCAL-NY; and Cynthia Gordy Giwa, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder, Black-Owned Brooklyn, exemplify the transformative power of commitment to community.

Ana Oliveira, President and CEO of The Foundation said, “Dr. Julia Jean-Francois, Alyssa Aguilera, and Cynthia Gordy Giwa are three of Brooklyn’s most accomplished women who devote their lives and work to improving community. Through their work, they give voice and visibility to people who might otherwise be overlooked. We thank them for their leadership, and for making their home borough a better place for women and their families.”

Dr. Julia Jean-Francois received the Neighborhood Leadership Award for her skillful co-direction of the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, a neighborhood settlement house that provides integrated human services to a low-income immigrant community, including family counseling, foster care programs, a community resource center, employment services and cooperative business development programs.

Alyssa Aguilera was honored with the Neighborhood Leadership Award for her work in expanding VOCAL – NY’s programs for low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, drug use, homelessness, and mass incarceration, including tripling harm reduction services for drug users in Brooklyn. She also leads campaigns to end discriminatory and unjust policing and courtroom practices, create alternatives to the drug war, and address the collateral consequences of mass incarceration.

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award was presented to Cynthia Gordy Giwa. Black-Owned Brooklyn, Ms. Giwa’s website and blog, promotes Black-owned, Brooklyn-based ventures, spotlighting some of the best in local food and drink, home and design, style, wellness and culture, and their owners who are propelling a renaissance of the Black business community.

More than 250 people attended the dinner held in the Lepercq Space at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, including New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo who gave opening remarks. Among the highlights was the auction of artwork by Groundswell artist Micaela Anaya. Bidders had the opportunity to see the creative process in action as Ms. Anaya completed her painting during the cocktail reception.

In 1994, The New York Women’s Foundation inaugurated the Neighborhood Dinner to celebrate New York City’s diverse cultures and the courageous leaders working to make their communities a better place for all, borough by borough. The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award is presented to a woman whose presence enriches the community and demonstrates a deep level of commitment to her home base. The Neighborhood Leadership Award honors the power of women acting in and for their communities.

Photos are to be credited to Hannah Schillinger.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Ann Marie Almeida, Rhonda Joy McLean and William Craig

Photo 2: Groundswell artist Micaela Anaya painting a mural for the auction during the cocktail reception

Photo 3: Julia Jean-Francois, Alyssa Aguilera, NYC Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Cynthia Gordy Giwa, and President and CEO Ana Oliveira at the Neighborhood Dinner in Brooklyn

Photo 4: New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo giving opening remarks

Photo 5: President and CEO Ana Oliveira with Alyssa Aguilera, Cynthia Gordy Giwa and Julia Jean-Francois, award recipients at the Neighborhood Dinner in Brooklyn

Photo 6: She's So Vocal activists with Alyssa Aguilera of VOCAL-NY, Neighborhood Leadership award recipient

Photo 7: The New York Women's Foundation's President and CEO Ana Oliveira at the Neighborhood Dinner in Brooklyn at BAM