Reflection of Hope Awards 2017

The Reflection of Hope Awards continue our tradition of shining a spotlight on the people and organizations whose work goes, all too often, unrecognized or underappreciated. The passionate advocates, caring professionals, dedicated educators, and selfless family members working to help New Yorkers deserve our gratitude. This luncheon and awards ceremony aims to demonstrate our collective appreciation for their tireless labors. It is my honor to join with colleagues and conscientious community partners to highlight these honorees, celebrate their achievements, and encourage them to continue their work on behalf of our fellow New Yorkers.

Congratulations to all our honorees:

• Akeem Browder, President, Kalief Browder Foundation, Founder, Shut Down Rikers Island
• Kalief Browder (posthumous honoree)
• Brett Scudder, Founder, Scudder Intervention Services Foundation
• Dr. Baz Dreisinger, Founding Academic Director, John Jay Prison to College Pipeline
• Dr. Karinn Glover, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Dr. Rosa M. Gil, DSW, Founder, President and CEO, Comunfile, Inc.
• Jeannette Burgos, LCSW, Deputy Executive Director, Coalition for Hispanic Family Services
• Jodi Querbach, Operation Officer and Chief of Programs, Brooklyn Community Services
• Laura Limuli, Co-Founder, Friends of Island Academy
• Rubaiya Rahman, Executive Director, Autism Society Habilitation
• Stephanie Marquesano, Esq., Founder and President, The Harris Project

Thanks to our partners NYS Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. Thanks to our hosts at Metropolitan College. Thanks to Kerry Babb for serving as master of ceremonies. Thanks to the artists who marked the occasion with us – thanks to poet Sweet Aminata for sharing her work with us and thanks to cellist Raul Rothblatt for sharing his music with us. Thanks to award sponsors: the Haitian-American Community Coalition (HCC), the Urban Justice Center, and the Caribbean Women's Health Association.