Urban Arts Partnership Hosted  2018 Benefit AMPLIFIED In New York City

On Monday, April 16, Urban Arts Partnership (UAP), NYC's leading non-profit education organization, ?hosted its annual benefit at The Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. Co-hosted by Mike Yard and multiple Emmy Award-winner Rory Albanese, leading contributors for The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, the event celebrated the organization, whose mission is to advance the intellectual, social and artistic development of public school students to close achievement gaps.

Through arts-based, progressive education programs, Urban Arts Partnership works with nearly 100 public schools across New York and Los Angeles, impacting the lives of more than 10,000 students each year - over 250,000 students and 3,000 teachers in the last 25 years. UAP strives to provide every student equal access and opportunity to education and the arts, including programs designed to support immigrants, LGBTQ, special needs and at-risk students. UAP is dedicated to improving student engagement, amplifying youth voice, and boosting academic outcomes.

Actor and Co-Founder of Urban Arts Partnership Rosie Perez commented on the success of the benefit: "Urban Arts Partnership was founded just over 25 years ago and our incredible community of supporters are collectively ensuring our students have the tools and resources they need to connect them to learning and feel confident in knowing we care about them. The old way of learning is not working as well as it needs to. We're in the 21st century and we need 21st-century type of teaching and lessons. UAP is part of that equation." Perez continued, "Having arts in the schools and arts integrated into all classrooms, helps kids become part of the community and part of the classroom. The arts create new opportunities for students to understand themselves, and to understand how they can engage with academics. The only thing that separates a privileged kid from an underprivileged kid is opportunity. Give a student an opportunity and they will rise to the occasion each and every time. I've seen it happen."

This year, Urban Arts Partnership honored acclaimed actor, activist and UAP Artistic Board Member, Michael Kenneth Williams, AT&T represented by President, Northeast Region, Marissa Shorenstein,? and Off-Broadway Theatre Producer and UAP Board Member, Niclas Nagler? for their indelible commitment and contributions to Urban Arts Partnership - advancing the success of the organization's mission. Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actress/singer, Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) ?sang her hit song, "Home," from The Wiz, dedicated to Urban Arts Partnership, while Broadway and TV star and actor, Alex Newell (Once on This Island, Glee) performed, "Mama Will Provide" from the new hit play, Once on This Island. UAP Artistic Board Member, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels (Run DMC) kept his tradition as the evening's closer with a knockout performance of the band's greatest hits, igniting energy throughout the audience of 500+ people.

Notable guests and UAP supporters included Comedian Chris Rock; Actress and UAP Artistic Board Member Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black); Actor and Advocate Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network