Cicely Tyson Honored At AT&T Campaign Around Connectivity In The Wake Of The 50th Anniversary Of Dr. King's Assassination

AT&T hosted its 2nd annual The Humanity of Connection at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Thursday, March 15th celebrating the power of human connectivity and the technologies that chronicle and connect the remarkable achievements of African Americans. Honorees included legendary actress Cicely Tyson, the first African American to appear as a series regular on a prime television series and the first African American actress to win an Emmy Award; Michelle Ebanks, the President of Essence Communications, Inc., the nation's preeminent magazine for Black women; Angela Rye, the Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, as well as a CNN Political Commentator and NPR analyst; and bestselling author and social entrepreneur Wes Moore, the CEO of Robin Hood. The Humanity of Connection was conceived by Tanya Lombard, head of Multicultural Engagement and Strategic Alliances for AT&T.

Dignitaries in attendance included award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, acclaimed musician Wynton Marsalis, Susan L. Taylor, founder of Founder & CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor- in- Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine, Tony Award Winning Choreographer George Faison, celebrity stylist June Ambrose, Hazel Dukes, President of the New York State Conference of the NAACP and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Acclaimed choreographer and dancer Judith Jamison and many others.

A short film, co-produced by Keith Clinkscales and Tanya Lombard, Head of Multicultural Engagement and Strategic Alliances for AT&T, was screened at the event. The film, entitled The Humanity of Connection, is narrated by critically acclaimed actor Jeffrey Wright and explores the state of civil rights 50 years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over the course of the past five decades, many advancements to humanity have been made and new leaders in a variety of fields have emerged to continue the quest for equality. The Humanity of Connection featured prominent leaders discussing the progress made, as well as the new battles being fought. Some of today's best and brightest leaders will be highlighted including legendary actress Cicely Tyson, Rev. Al Sharpton, President & CEO of National Action Network, Rev. Jesse Jackson, President of Rainbow Push, Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League, and national millennial civil rights activist Mary Pat Hector, among others.

According to Tanya Lombard: "AT&T is proud of the Humanity of Connection series" says Tanya Lombard, Assistant Vice President, AT&T "our annual event provides an opportunity for AT&T to engage with the innovators and leaders of our community."

According to Keith Clinkscales: "The energy of the room in our second year was inspirational" says Keith Clinkscales, "the opportunity to tie the greatness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to today's leaders created a unique platform to partner with AT&T"

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." Each of The Humanity of Connection recipients epitomize this vision.

The Humanity of Connection featured the Sing Harlem Gospel Choir, and music at the post-awards reception will be provided by legendary D.J. D-Nice.

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