Press Release Archives - 575-96 Honor Oprah Winfrey

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 7, 1996

Release #575-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972

MAYOR GIULIANI AND 100 BLACK MEN HONOR OPRAH WINFREY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today honored talk show host and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey at a scholarship-dinner dance sponsored by the One Hundred Black Men of New York held at the New York Hilton. The Mayor also declared Thursday, November 7, 1996, "One Hundred Black Men Day" in the City of New York. Joining the celebration were Governor George Pataki, State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, and Luther Gatling, president of One Hundred Black Men.

"Tonight we are here to honor one of the most distinguished women in broadcasting and in the world, Oprah Winfrey," Mayor Giuliani said. "A talk show host, actress, producer, philanthropist, and businesswoman, Oprah has truly been a pioneer and inspiration to women, men and children of all races and all ethnicities. Her success has never jeopardized her trademark sense of grace and dignity. I am pleased to join One Hundred Black Men in saluting the first woman to be honored in the history of the scholarship dinner dance -- Oprah Winfrey."

One Hundred Black Men of New York, created in 1963, is an organization of men in business, industry and public affairs from throughout New York State who share the goal of improving the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities. Over the past 16 years, the organization has awarded over $250,000 in scholarship aid to New York City public high school students.

The Mayor added, "It is the commitment of organizations like One Hundred Black Men that have played a critical role over the years in opening doors and creating opportunity. Nowhere are these accomplishments felt more powerfully than right here in New York , the most diverse city in the world. One Hundred Black Men has helped to improve the lives of us all. New Yorkers join in thanking your organization for its outstanding to our community and to our society."