ERASE Racism set a record for attendance at our Annual Benefit – with about 450 people joining us on June 11th. It was a spectacular evening, and I thank everyone who participated, whether you were there in person or contributed in other ways to the success of the occasion. We at ERASE Racism are enormously grateful for your support.

The evening celebrated the many achievements of the past year and built momentum for all that remains to be addressed. Those achievements include such landmark accomplishments as the launch in late 2018 of the ongoing, regionwide, public initiative "How Do We Build a Just Long Island?" and the State of New York's enactment in 2019 of a ban on housing discrimination against those who rely on legal nonwage sources of income. Both will have ongoing, lasting, and growing impact.

"How Do We Build a Just Long Island?" is described in a stunning new brochure that is available here. Please read it and share it with your neighbors, friends, and colleagues. There's a role for every Long Islander in answering this fundamental question. The answer that those attending the Annual Benefit collectively gave was: "With My Help."

The featured speakers at the Annual Benefit provided inspiration in that regard. Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, the renowned scholar who was one of two recipients of the Abraham Krasnoff Courage and Commitment Award, inspired us to keep fighting for racial equity in education. She reminded us that we must not lose hope and that social change will happen as long as we all play a role in influencing the people around us. Dr. Lorna Lewis, President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents and the other recipient of the Abraham Krasnoff Courage and Commitment Award, encouraged Long Islanders to address the need for educator diversity, citing the benefits of diverse learning experiences and recent research on the lack of teachers of color on Long Island. She urged immediate action to correct the situation.

David J. Gallo, Founder and CEO of Georgica Green Ventures, LLC, the affordable housing developer that was honored with our Corporate Leadership Award, spoke about the challenges of building affordable housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods and why this work is so crucial to creating a more diverse and equitable Long Island.

All of the speakers reinforced my earlier remarks and my own call to action: The time to act is now. Everyone can and should participate. Success depends on all of us.

I hope our paths cross soon in this vital work.

Warm regards,



V. Elaine Gross
President
ERASE Racism

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Evening's Honorees

Abraham Krasnoff Courage and Commitment Award Honorees

	Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum Renowned Scholar in Educational Equity for the Nation President Emerita, Spelman College Biography
	Dr. Lorna Lewis Pioneer Leader for Equity in Public Education President, New York State Council of School Superintendents Biography

ERASE Racism Corporate Leadership Awardee

Georgica Green Ventures, LLC (GGV) Leader in building and operating affordable housing for low-income households, including many households of color Award will be accepted by Founder and CEO David J. Gallo Biography

Planning Committee

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