For more than a century, the New York Urban League (NYUL) has been at the forefront of civil rights advocacy, driving real change for individuals and families across New York City.
Like many, we are troubled by the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion and the attempts to undo all of the progress we have made in pursuit of justice. We remain steadfast in our resolve to push forward, undeterred, and have made the difficult, but necessary decision to transition our traditional Champions Awards breakfast from a celebration to a full day conference. Our hope is that we can find novel solutions to the threats that loom ahead.
We are designing a program that will offer opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges, collaborate on solutions, and access resources they can rely on for the future. The Equity Summit will focus on strategies, resources, and actionable solutions. Through facilitated workshops by sector, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, we aim to create a space where leaders can connect, collaborate and harness their collective experiences to navigate what lies ahead.
While we honor the tradition of celebrating DEI champions, the Equity Summit allows us to deepen our impact and extend support to all those working toward a more inclusive and equitable future. Champion Awards will be presented over lunch as we spend the day taking bold action for equity during this pivotal moment.
NYUL Equity Summit: April 15, 2025
2025 Champion Honorees
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award honors an individual whose unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has fundamentally transformed the trajectory of their sector and interconnected organizations within their ecosystem. This award recognizes a visionary leader who, through tireless advocacy and innovative DEI practices, has broken barriers, challenged the status quo, and set new standards of practice to make their field more equitable and just.
Heide Gardner
Former Global Culture Officer, Interpublic Group (IPG)
Pioneer Award
The Pioneer Award honors a visionary company that has been a trailblazer in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion long before it became a widespread societal priority. This award recognizes companies that took bold, proactive steps as early adopters of DEI practices and embraced NYUL’s vision to acknowledge the significance of DEI, specifically during the 2006-2011 period when Champions was first launched.
Business Consulting and Services
Honorary Chair
Ezra KnightPresident of SAG-AFTRA New York
Rising Stars Class of 2025
Rising Star Champion
The Rising Star Award recognizes early-career professionals who are making significant strides in integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into their work and organizations. This award celebrates individuals who, despite being in the early stages of their careers, have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing DEI principles.
The nomination window for 2025 Class of Rising Stars is open.
Deadline: Submit nominations by March 14, 2025
For more information, please contact the NYUL Champions of Diversity Office at NYUL@thewakemanagency.com.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or ticket packages, click below to learn more.
2024 Champions Recap
Photo Gallery
2024 Champions Honorees (L to R)
Recruitment, Retention & Belonging Champion (Saks representative ~ Ryan Kenny)
Rising Star Champion (Carlton Charles)
Leadership Champion
(Novartis representative ~ Wanda Sims)
Disruptor Award
(SAG-AFTRA representative ~ Ezra Knight)
