“Inspiring Generations and Transforming Lives” was the theme of Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC)’s 50th anniversary celebration and fundraising gala on Friday, May 17. Held at the fancy Tribeca Rooftop, located at 2 Desbrosses Street in Lower Manhattan, donors were invited to honor the past and embrace the future as they joined the non-profit’s representatives in celebrating five decades of service to the Bronx community.

 

Located at 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace in Kingsbridge Heights, KHCC offers a range of services from early childhood learning to youth services, and from adult & family programs to nutrition. Meanwhile, the KHCConnect program screens participants enrolled in other programs for unaddressed needs and provides help in the form of referrals, intensive case management, or educational opportunities/workshops.

 

Four KHCC “community champions” were honored on the night, receiving various proclamations from elected officials, after an opening musical performance by kids attending the center’s special needs program, and before guests began bidding for a range of auction items over dinner.

 

Some of the items on the lower end of the scale that went under the hammer included a gift box from sculptor, Jeff Koons, a Bronx Ale House Gift Basket, a Lather Yourself in Luxury gift basket, wine baskets, a KHCC gift basket, and a Monster Mini Golf package. Attendees were also later treated to a performance by legendary rapper and longtime supporter of KHCC, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC. A short video of KHCC’s work was also shown to attendees on the night, and there was also some signed merchandise from McDaniels available for auction.

Honoree Jennifer Graham, principal at Perkins & Will, a global design practice, was described in part as a mentor who fostered a supportive work environment who was also passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), social purpose, and sustainability. KHCC officials said Graham was a driving force behind LMNOP NYC, Inc., a New York City-based nonprofit professional development organization for those within the architecture and design community, and as someone who also actively contributes to the boards of IIDA NY (International Interior Design Association) and AIA NY (American Institute of Architects).

 

“Her dedication to promoting growth within the industry and community makes her a true community champion,” KHCC officials, including Raye Barbieri, chief executive officer, said. They added that Graham spearheaded corporate community volunteering projects with Perkins & Will, which they said regularly partnered with KHCC, contributing hundreds of hours of community service and leveraging “beautiful,” donated furniture and equipment to the center to support its programs.

 

Addressing those gathered, Graham thanked those who introduced her to KHCC’s work as well as her colleagues at Perkins & Will. “They’ve supported this community because they know it’s a passion of mine,” she said. “Thank you, KHCC, because you really helped round out my New York City experience.”

Of the next honoree, Margaret Della, former executive director of KHCC, Lisa Lindvall, KHCC chairperson, said Della had spearheaded strategic initiatives that significantly enhanced the organization’s structure and outreach. Della holds a master’s degree in public administration from NYU, and according to her biography, her roles have spanned the U.S. Senate to academia.

 

She has held board positions at organizations like Habitat Newark and Democracy Prep and KHCC officials said her commitment to leadership development and community engagement during her tenure at KHCC from 2014 to 2023 exemplified her role as a community champion.

 

Lindvall commended Della, then a young newlywed when she first took on the role of executive director of KHCC, for having seen the center through some darker times, including many layoffs. She said Della’s career was deeply rooted in public service and joked about how it was always clear to her colleagues when Della wasn’t happy due to her legendary eyerolls.

“Her commitment to leadership development and community engagement during her tenure at KHCC from 2014 to 2023 exemplifies her role as a community champion,” KHCC officials said. Lindvall added, “We’re thrilled that you’re spreading your light to and working your magic with other nonprofits today.”

 

Addressing those gathered, Della said, “I’m so happy to be here! 50 years! Post-pandemic, pre-apocalyptic…like we’re doing this! We’re out here!” Della talked about her upbringing in community service and how her work at KHCC was made easier through being able to relate to the experiences of those who KHCC serves. “I was entertaining kids at school and at after school programs as a roller-skating clown!” she explained.

 

Referring to KHCC’s origins in 1974 when the Bronx was literally on fire, she paid tribute to the center’s founders who she said had had the foresight to recognize that The Bronx needed “a place for kids, a place to build our future.” She added, “They changed the trajectory of lives for generations. I’m proud of KHCC staff, volunteers, champions, participants.”

Della continued, “What we’ve all done and what we’ve weathered together and built…150,000 individuals maybe over 50 years…you can only imagine what kind of ripple effect that has…teens, kids, survivors. That’s incredible! Because of all of us, the legacy continues, building a generational resource, aligning stars.” Appealing to donors, she concluded in part, “Let’s build our legacy. Dig deep tonight! I’m talking “clowns in rollerskates” deep!”

 

Next up was honoree and Democratic District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz. KHCC officials said the councilman represented the Northwest Bronx [though not the exact area where KHCC is located] “with a profound dedication to public service and community welfare.” A former member of Bronx Community Board 8, a former special education teacher, as reported, and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) chapter leader, they commended his support for education and community engagement, his support of anti-hate initiatives, and his efforts to improve senior accessibility, transit, and voter participation.

 

The councilman recalled volunteering at KHCC as a child with his father, Democratic Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who was also in attendance, as was fellow Democrat, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. The councilman recalled distributing meals at Thanksgiving and said even though he did not represent the area where KHCC was located, he still supported its work. “In the city budget, we fight hard to make sure there are hundreds of thousands of dollars allocated for the critical programs that you do at KHCC,” he said.

“Kingsbridge Heights Community Center is there to support everyone, and that’s why it is a no brainer for me that when we are looking for the organization to support, they are the ones that I can rely on, and I know that people in my community can rely on,” he said.

 

The final honoree of the evening was Democratic State Sen. Robert Jackson (S.D. 31) who represents some of the west Bronx as well as northern Manhattan. Jackson was described as “a formidable advocate for New Yorkers, championing significant legislative reforms and community initiatives.” KHCC officials said his tenure as a school board president was marked by the landmark campaign for fiscal equity lawsuit, which they said secured substantial funding for NYC public schools.

“In the State Senate, he continues to advocate for public education, workers’ rights, and climate justice,” KHCC officials said. “Raised in Northern Manhattan, Senator Jackson’s life and career are dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering equitable opportunities, solidifying his status as a Community Champion.”

 

Addressing those gathered, Jackson also commended KHCC. “I’ve seen the work they have done. I hear about it all the time, and all you have to do is go there during the day and you see people engaged in all types of things, from gardening to food, and childcare, all of the things that you want.”

Jackson went on to talk about his legislative priorities on the three major issues he said were impacting most of New York City: healthcare, education, and housing. “I’ve said loud and clear education is the key to uplift all families. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you’re rich or poor, whether you’re Black or White, or Hispanic or Asian. It doesn’t matter; education is an equalizer,” he said.

 

The assemblyman also used the occasion to pay tribute to KHCC, saying he grew up four blocks from it, recalling its origins and commending cofounder and member Janet Athanasidy, among others. He recalled how when the current 50th Precinct building opened, there was a move to turn the former stationhouse into “something useful” and how it subsequently became KHCC’s home.

 

The assemblyman later formally presented KHCC with two checks which related to last year’s budget, adding that more funding was in the pipeline for the current year. He said one, for $20,000, was a member item and the other, for $250,000, was a special grant that he’d been able to put into the budget. “There’s also capital money. I’ve lost track of all the capital money we’ve been getting, but it’s coming in and that’s a lot of money,” he said in part, adding that it was “important funding to help prevent violence, gang activity, drugs, all the bad stuff.”

Before his performance, McDaniels also paid tribute to KHCC, saying, “Nobody’s going to do it for us. And the blessing, the thing that we need to be confident about, is that when we empower the children, they learn the right messages, they learn the right procedures, and they will continue to do the good works.” He said the negative effects of social media could be countered with education, recreation, and opportunity.

 

“We are more connected to each other because our relationship to each other isn’t just about flesh and blood, it’s about spirit and soul,” McDaniels said. “And everybody in here that has accomplished something, it wasn’t just for you. You was given everything, you was put in a position, so you are where you are at because we have a responsibility.”

 

He continued, “Sometimes, there’s difficulties and adversity and obstacles, but we know, and KHCC knows, that regardless of the situations these children are in, the situation doesn’t define who they are. Continue to have confidence because those children are the next great me and yous and sometimes, we got to be there for them.” As the perfect intro to his classic hit, McDaniels concluded, saying, “But along the way.. Charlie, you know this.. my son, he knows this too, it gets a little tricky…” A short video of one of McDaniel’s musical performances, together with his son and colleague, can be watched here.

As reported, on the same day that KHCC marked its 50th anniversary, paramedics were called to the center earlier that day following a call that a 3-year-old child attending the center had had a seizure. The infant was later transferred to Montefiore Medical Center in Norwood for follow-up treatment, emergency services said.

 

The center will host its 11th Annual Neighborhood Festival, which is free to the public, on June 14. Click here for more details and click here to read our story on last year’s festival.

 

Meanwhile, back at the evening’s celebration, during her prepared remarks, Gibson talked about how the work of KHCC yielded tangible results. “We’ve made incredible progress in our borough,” she said. “We’ve seen job growth like never before. We went from 26% unemployment during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic to this day at 6.6%. I need everyone to understand that this is historic. This work makes a difference.”