MARCH 2024

In this issue:

Cultivating Community: The 52nd Annual bai Gala

bai recognition 2024

The Harlem Y continues to celebrate emerging corporate professionals through the Achievers in Industry (bai) Gala, as it has for the last 52 years. Founded in 1971 by Dr. Leo B. Marsh, the bai Gala marked the start of the Harlem Y and corporate partners coming together to transform the lives of New York City’s youth, empowering them and strengthening our communities in the process. Under the central theme of “Celebrating Success, Developing Leaders, and Cultivating Communities”, the bai Gala has received a tremendous amount of support from Deloitte, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York Life, and Con Edison.

At the event, held at the New York Marriott Marquis on March 14, the Deloitte Corporate Community Award was presented to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who are embedded in the NY/NJ communities of which they serve. The Leo B. Marsh award recipient was given to Charles Coleman, Jr ., a seasoned civil rights attorney and legal analyst, who has emerged as a prominent leader in the Harlem community and in today’s conversations on race, law, culture, politics, social justice, and civil rights. Alongside Colman Jr., the Carrie Terrell Youth Achiever Award recipient was Carl Clarke, Jr., a member of the Vanderbilt Y and participant in the Youth Achiever program. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!

Through the bai initiative, the Harlem Y and its corporate partners have honored more than 4,600 corporate executives, raised over $2.2M, and awarded more than 850 scholarship awards to teens throughout NYC for over 50 years—an incredible achievement. 

Read the full press release here.

CORRECTION: An earlier version read that the Deloitte Foundation presented the Deloitte Corporate Community Award. It has been corrected to reflect that this award was presented by Deloitte. 

Chinatown Y Celebrates Lunar New Year

Chinatown Y community celebrates Lunar New Year
The Chinatown Y is back and better than ever, celebrating their first major event since the pandemic and fully reopening last August. The Lunar New Year event, a branch tradition since 2006, symbolized more than just a return to festivities—it represented resilience and renewal.

This year's celebration brought together traditional performances, including a lion dance by Tai Look Lion Dance, tai chi demonstrations, and activities such as arts and crafts, face painting, and tea and cookie tastings. Hosting people of all ages and nearly 100 children from off-site programs, members, and the surrounding community, the event was a vibrant testament to the enduring spirit of the community.

The branch event honored the cherished tradition of Lunar New Year festivities while underscoring the importance of community support and the significant role of donors in enabling such gatherings.

Thirty Years Strong: Deloitte & the Deloitte Foundation's Support of the Y

Deloitte* and the YMCA of Greater New York (YGNY) share a 30-year relationship that is founded on a mutual investment in strengthening our city and community.

Deloitte consistently demonstrates their dedication to empowering New Yorkers. In 2018, Deloitte graciously hosted the Y's College Decision Day, providing a day of celebration for our Y Rowe Scholars graduating seniors.

Additionally, Deloitte professionals volunteer their time and expertise at multiple branches, including Harlem, Flushing, and Jamaica Ys. From painting projects to spring cleanings of classrooms, their hands-on involvement has made a tangible impact on our facilities, programs, and ultimately our communities.

A notable aspect of Deloitte's community engagement is their donation to the Achievers in Industry (BAI) Gala hosted by the Harlem Y, serving as a testament to their investment in racially and ethnically diverse communities and celebration of diversity and inclusion. Through this event, the Deloitte Corporate Community Award recognizes corporations engaged in community work. This award is named after Deloitte as a reflection of their commitment to serve New Yorkers.

We are also grateful for local impact grants from the Deloitte Foundation.** These grants have previously supported bai Corporate Scholarship recipients with the opportunity to gain practical, challenging, and meaningful experiences to help them pursue careers in business, accounting, and STEM.

Deloitte and the Deloitte Foundation’s** relationship with YGNY is a powerful example of how community investment can create lasting change. We are proud to celebrate three decades of this relationship.

*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure. 

**Learn more about the Deloitte Foundation.

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NAI participant

Fashioning a Future: McKinley's New American Story 

McKinley Touissant, a New Americans Initiative (NAI) participant from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, harbored dreams of becoming a fashion designer since seventh grade. In pursuit of this dream and a brighter future, he left Haiti for New York City in July 2022 and soon connected with NAI at the Flatbush Y. The program was borne out of a century-long commitment to creating a safe haven for new Americans like McKinley. The initiative became a pivotal part of McKinley’s journey in the United States, offering him the resources and support needed to navigate his new life.

McKinley found an invaluable ally in Beatrice Jean-Claude, his case manager. Beatrice is a NAI success story herself, having learned English through the program in 2016 and now serving as a program coordinator for NAI. With her support, McKinley obtained health insurance, SNAP benefits, work authorization, and a Social Security Number—all essential benefits and documentation that set him up with a foundation of support and future success. Beatrice guided him through job searches, resume writing, and preparing for interviews, significantly impacting McKinley's confidence and readiness for his future career, leading him to apply to the Berkeley College Fashion program in October. We look forward to following McKinley's success as he embarks on this next chapter.

With 146 Haitian immigrants enrolled for services at the Flatbush location in 2023, Haitians now represent the second-largest nationality served by the program, signaling a growing need for such initiatives. With a 139% increase in Haitian immigrants seeking support since 2020, McKinley’s story, featured in the Haitian Times, is a testament to the transformative power of initiatives like NAI, underscoring the importance of community, resilience, and support in navigating the complexities of a new life in a new country.