Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation Honors Rosie Perez and More in Brooklyn

Last night, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation honored Rosie Perez, the Honorable William Thompson Sr. and Bruce Gordon at the Restore Brooklyn Annual Benefit Dinner held at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The evening featured a special performance by Grammy Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele and was emceed by CBS anchorman Maurice DuBois.

The benefit celebrated Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration), the nation's first community development organization, working to strengthen the community for nearly 50 years. Proceeds from the evening will support Restoration's Economic Solutions Center, a comprehensive programmatic approach that strengthens the economic stability and well-being of families throughout Brooklyn.

Director Spike Lee presented Rosie Perez, author, actor, activist and co-host on The View, with the "Jacob Javits Award" for Excellence in Public Service. William Thompson Jr. presented the Honorable William Thompson Sr., former Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court and New York State Senator, with the "Restoration Founders Award" for Excellence in Community and Janice Savin Williams and Christopher J. Williams presented Bruce Gordon, business leader and former NAACP President, with the "Robert F. Kennedy Award" for Exemplary Corporate Citizenship.

"As the nation's first community development corporation, founded nearly 50 years ago by Senators Robert Kennedy and Jacob Javits, Restoration has been working to ensure that residents of all incomes receive the economic opportunities they deserve and enjoy the benefits of healthy and prosperous communities," said Colvin Grannum, President of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. "We are extremely proud to honor Rosie Perez, Judge Thompson and Bruce Gordon tonight. They are giants and pioneers in their respective fields. Their participation tonight and their support of our mission inspires us to work even harder for the people and communities we serve."

The 2014 Restore Brooklyn Annual Benefit Dinner highlighted Restoration's new Economic Solutions Center, helping community members address the myriad of financial challenges on the path to economic self-sufficiency. By providing job training and placement services; financial support and debt counseling programs; benefit, child care and food support services; healthcare solutions programs; supports to low-income workers; and housing assistance, Restoration seeks to comprehensively approach financial security and family stability and ensure that all residents benefit from the current revitalization of Brooklyn.

"When I was a young girl, no one believed in me or gave me a chance to accomplish anything," said Rosie Perez, author, actress, activist and co-host of The View. "It was a local organization like the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation that changed everything for me and provided me with opportunities I never thought I would have. For me to be here tonight to receive this award is humbling and so meaningful because Restoration does for families today what was done for me when I was a young kid. I'm so proud to be here tonight to support this organization."

For nearly 50 years, Restoration has helped shape and preserve the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood with an incredible array of cultural and arts programming and offerings, while building a healthy and vibrant community and fostering family stability and economic self-sufficiency. While Brooklyn is in the midst of a revitalization, pockets of extreme poverty have left many residents behind. Restoration works to ensure that Brooklyn's economic boom offers all residents opportunity for advancement.

"I'm honored to present Rosie with this award for her public service and commitment to Brooklyn," said director Spike Lee. "It is incredibly important to support organizations like Restoration that work to preserve the cultural integrity of Brooklyn while also providing services to help families survive and thrive."

"I've spent much of my career as an activist and a business leader fighting to ensure that equality and diversity remain the hallmark of our communities. I believe the work and the mission of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation is critical if we are to sustain the fight for economic equality and opportunity," said Bruce Gordon, business leader and former President of the NAACP. "Restoration is building every day what Dr. King called the Beloved Community. I am proud to stand alongside them and support their efforts tonight."

Known as the nation's first community development corporation, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation has influenced thousands of similar nonprofit organizations across the country. By implementing a pioneering and community-based approach, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation has catalyzed a wide variety of economic, educational, professional, residential, recreational and cultural improvements throughout Brooklyn.

About Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation - Established in 1967 by bi-partisan New York Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob K. Javits, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the nation's first community development corporation, partners with residents and business to improve the quality of life of Central Brooklyn by fostering economic self-sufficiency, enhancing family stability and growth, promoting the arts and culture and transforming Brooklyn neighborhoods into a safe, vibrant place to live, work and visit. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Restoration is a dynamic institution that creates significant, sustainable and demonstrable impact in improving the well-being of local residents and business.

Pictured: (top) Spike Lee and Colvin Grannum, President, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; (right) Kevin Chavers, Chris Williams, Janice Savin Williams, Maurice Dubois, Spike Lee, Rosie Perez, Bruce Gordon and Colvin Grannum. Photo Credit: Creative Solutions & Imaging.