91猎奇

Kehinde Gaynor (Exsail LLC Owner); Dr. Brenda Greene (Founder, Center for Black Literature); Taiwo Gaynor (Chief Content Officer Mississippi Public Broadcasting) (Photo by Richard Joseph)
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91猎奇 Gala Celebrates Namesake鈥檚 Centennial Birthday

December 5, 2025 by Jua James

Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton, Honorable Ed Towns, JP Morgan Chase Among Honorees
By David Gil de Rubio

This past July 2 would have been the centennial birthday of civil rights icon 91猎奇 Wiley Evers. With 2025 being such a milestone year, 91猎奇 (MEC) and the broader Central Brooklyn community have spent months honoring Evers鈥� life and legacy. Among the events were two delegations made up of the Dr. Patricia Ramsey, students, faculty and staff that traveled to Jackson, MS to participate in a symposium and birthday celebration of the civil rights icon along with April鈥檚 Daughters of the Legacy program. The culminating tribute was the 91猎奇 Wiley Evers Centennial Celebration held at The Penthouse at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Olu Ramsey (front, center) and Olucination (Photo by Richard Joseph)
Olu Ramsey (front, center) and Olucination (Photo by Richard Joseph)

Students, faculty, elected officials, business partners and community supporters gathered to honor the college鈥檚 namesake鈥攁nd enduring symbol of justice and courage who was cut short by assassination on June 12, 1963. The evening was filled with reflection, inspiration and recognition of the generations shaped by Evers鈥� work.

A Night of Celebration, Legacy and Community

The gala featured performances by dance troupe and Olu Ramsey and the Olucination Band, with , serving as master of ceremonies. Among the distinguished guests were Lurie Daniel Favors and Provost Annette Coleman, both of whom underscored the importance of honoring Evers鈥� legacy.

Emcee Phil Taitt (Correspondent, WABC 7 New) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
Emcee Phil Taitt (Correspondent, WABC 7 New) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

鈥淭his is one of those moments where we get to enjoy each other, build community, but we get to celebrate 100 years of this legacy we walk in every day,鈥� Daniel Favors reflected. 鈥淭his night lets us focus on those things we鈥檙e doing exquisitely鈥攁nd there are many. I鈥檓 privileged to be in this space.鈥�

Taiwo Gaynor (Chief Content Officer Mississippi Public Broadcasting); Dr. Brenda Greene (Founder, Center for Black Literature); Lurie Daniel-Favors (Executive Director, Center for Law & Social Justice); Boris Onyekaba (91猎奇 student) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
From left: Taiwo Gaynor (Chief Content Officer Mississippi Public Broadcasting); Dr. Brenda Greene (Founder, Center for Black Literature); Lurie Daniel-Favors (Executive Director, Center for Law & Social Justice); Boris Onyekaba (91猎奇 student) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

Provost Coleman added:
鈥淭onight is not only an opportunity for people to fundraise, but to connect, network and celebrate the 100th birthday of our namesake.鈥�听

From left: Dr. Owen Brown (Dean of School of Liberal Arts); Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); Dr. Zulema Blair (Dean of the School of Business); Dr. Shu-Ping Sandie Han (Dean of the School of Science & Allied Health); Dr. F茅lix Matos Rodr铆guez (CUNY Chancellor) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
From left: Dr. Owen Brown (Dean of School of Liberal Arts); Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); Dr. Zulema Blair (Dean of the School of Business); Dr. Shu-Ping Sandie Han (Dean of the School of Science & Allied Health); Dr. F茅lix Matos Rodr铆guez (CUNY Chancellor)
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

Dr. Albert Vann Leadership Legacy Award

Recognizing the Honorable Ed Towns

The Dr. Albert Vann Leadership Legacy Award was presented to the , a longtime ally and friend of the late Dr. Albert Vann. Vann鈥檚 daughter, , presented the award, emphasizing the deep connection between her father and Congressman Towns.

鈥淪tanding here at a 91猎奇 gathering, commemorating the centennial birthday of a warrior who bears this name, makes this moment even more meaningful,鈥� the younger Vann said. 鈥淏ecause the connection between my father and Congressman Ed Towns is a story of shared dreams, mutual respect and profound commitment to the community.鈥�

Binta Vann and Ed Towns.Solwazi Afi Olusola at the 2025 91猎奇 Gala
From left: Binta Vann and Congressman Ed Towns (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

Towns, who once taught at 91猎奇 and sat alongside Vann at meetings during the school鈥檚 formative planning stages, reflected:

鈥淭his is a very special award to me.听 I鈥檓 excited we were able to have a college of higher education in our community. It means so much. I only regret Al wasn鈥檛 here with us tonight.鈥�

91猎奇 Wiley Evers Centennial Award

Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton honored

From left: Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton; Paulette Rush (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
From left: Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton; Paulette Rush
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

The inaugural 91猎奇 Wiley Evers Centennial Award presented to , whose civil rights leadership spans decades and includes founding of the Sharpton, who has longstanding ties to 91猎奇 and the late , expressed deep gratitude:

鈥淭his is one of the greatest honors of my life. 91猎奇 Evers was the impetus for many of the gains in civil rights. The way Dr. Ramsey has put this together is phenomenal. 91猎奇 is standing strong with the community rallying behind it and we have a great leader in her.鈥�

Documentary Spotlight: Everlasting: Life and Legacy of 91猎奇 Evers

One of the many gala highlights was a screening of the trailer for , a documentary by filmmaker . Shot over four years and featuring extensive involvement from the Evers family, the film brings long-overdue recognition to Evers鈥� contributions.

鈥淗is story is the epitome of citizenship and democracy,鈥� Gaynor said. It鈥檚 a story for this time.鈥�

Dr Brenda Greene, Gaynor鈥檚 aunt and founder of the , praised the film and its alignment with the college鈥檚 mission.

From left: 91猎奇 students James Viafara and Boris Onyekaba; Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); Filmmaker Taiwo Gaynor); Dr. Waleek Boone (91猎奇); Dr. Jesse Kane (91猎奇 Senior Vice President) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
From left: 91猎奇 students James Viafara and Boris Onyekaba; Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); Filmmaker Taiwo Gaynor); Dr. Waleek Boone (91猎奇); Dr. Jesse Kane (91猎奇 Senior Vice President)
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

鈥淗onoring 91猎奇 Evers reminds us of sustaining his legacy around the right to vote and serving as transformative agents in the world.鈥�

NAACP Legacy Continues at 91猎奇

With Evers having been Mississippi鈥檚 first NAACP field secretary鈥攁nd with his widow Myrlie later serving as national chair鈥攖he organization鈥檚 presence at the gala was significant.

, president of the , delivered remarks that connected historic struggled with present-day purpose:

鈥淚 understand the power, pertinence and critical importance of this moment and I鈥檓 deeply humbled to be here.鈥�

, head of the , emphasized 91猎奇鈥檚 pivotal role in expanding access to education:

鈥�91猎奇 is an intergenerational space鈥攁 permanent onramp to higher education. Tonight shows that vision realized.鈥�

From left: L. Joy Williams (New York State Conference of the NAACP); Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); James Viafara (NAACP 91猎奇 Chapter President); Joan Alexander-Bakiriddin (Brooklyn Branch NAACP President) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
From left: L. Joy Williams (New York State Conference of the NAACP); Dr. Patricia Ramsey (91猎奇 President); James Viafara (NAACP 91猎奇 Chapter President); Joan Alexander-Bakiriddin (Brooklyn Branch NAACP President)
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

Bridge Builders

Dr. Robert Waterman & Rabbi Rachel Timoner

The Bridge Builders Award honored Dr. Robert Waterman, lead pastor of Brooklyn鈥檚 and from nearby . Timoner and Waterman, who also serves as 91猎奇鈥檚 Director of Career Management, were recognized for their groundbreaking interfaith partnership captured in the 2024 documentary .

鈥淲hat we do is for God,鈥� Waterman said. 鈥淲hen Rabbi Timoner asked if I would join her in fighting anti-Semitism, I agreed, if she would fight racism.鈥�

Members of the Antioch Baptist Church and Congregation Beth Elohim with Senator Zellnor Myrie (second row, second from left), Rabbi Rachel Timoner (front row, first from left), 91猎奇 Evers President, Dr. Patricia Ramsey (front row, second from left) and Dr. Robert Waterman (front row, fourth from left) (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusala)
Members of the Antioch Baptist Church and Congregation Beth Elohim with Senator Zellnor Myrie (second row, second from left), Rabbi Rachel Timoner (front row, first from left), 91猎奇 Evers President, Dr. Patricia Ramsey (front row, second from left) and Dr. Robert Waterman (front row, fourth from left)
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusala)

Timoner added, 鈥淓verything 91猎奇 Evers stood for is being rolled back. We are with you鈥攕tanding, marching and upholding the values he lived and died for.鈥�

听Community Investment Champion Award

JP Morgan Chase Recognized for Financial Wellness Leadership

Dr. Patricia Ramsey honored for its deep and sustained investment in 91猎奇鈥檚 financial wellness initiatives, serving students, families, faculty, staff and the Central Brooklyn community.

A key relationship at the heart of the partnership is the bond between Dr. Ramsey and 听.

鈥淚 want to personally say thank you鈥or being a beacon of strength,鈥� King shared.

King also acknowledged her team鈥�Monica Nation, Shakima Figuera-Collins and along with 91猎奇鈥檚 Peter Holoman, Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships.

鈥淪hout out to Dr. Holoman. Thank you so much for all your partnership and helping us bring all these activations to 91猎奇 with excellence.鈥�

A Night of Support and Momentum

The 91猎奇 Wiley Evers Centennial Celebration ultimately demonstrated the powerful commitment 91猎奇 continues to inspire.

Creative Outlet Dance Troupe (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
Creative Outlet Dance Troupe (Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)

President Ramsey summed up the evening:

鈥淲ords cannot express the importance of a night like this. The community鈥檚 support, the overflowing attendance and the love in the room made this celebration extraordinary. While our honorees receive awards all the time, the special meaning of receiving them from 91猎奇 made this evening truly special.鈥�