The initiative helps NYC teens achieve their higher education goals through mentorship from business and public sector partners

MetroPlusHealth and legendary fashion designer Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day were also honored.

On March 18, the YMCA of Greater New York’s Harlem YMCA branch hosted its 54th National Salute to Achievers in Industry Gala – honoring New York City students receiving scholarships from the Achievers in Industry Initiative. The gala also honored corporate partner MetroPlusHealth with the Deloitte Corporate Community Award and presented legendary fashion designer Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day with the Dr. Leo B. Marsh Memorial Award, and Alexa Castillo, a high school senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy, with the Carrie Terrell Youth Achiever Award.

The Achievers in Industry initiative is designed to help college-bound teens navigate and thrive in higher education through mentorship, career readiness opportunities, and financial support to help empower these teens as they transition into adulthood. This year’s gala theme was “Celebrating a Night of Empowerment, Excellence and Achievement,” and was hosted by actor, musician, and talk show host Zarrette “Z” Rogers.

Supporting a class of 80 NYC teens this year, the Achievers program is composed of four primary elements: Professional Mentoring Program, College Tour, Corporate Scholarship Program, and Corporate Internship Program. These four elements connect young people with mentorship, internship, networking, and development opportunities that support their educational, social, and personal goals. The initiative enables students to gain a firsthand perspective at how college campuses function through tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and provides scholarship amounts of $2,500 per eligible recipient to offset a portion of students’ educational expenses. Through the Achievers initiative, the Harlem YMCA has honored 4,660 corporate executives, awarded 924 scholarship awards, and raised more than $2.3M.

“Every day at the Harlem YMCA, we witness the strength and resilience of young people who count on us to be a safe haven and a place to grow into leaders,” said Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Our deep relationships with local high schools and partnerships with corporations, educators, and community leaders make programs like Achievers in Industry possible. Together, these bonds reflect the very best of Harlem, with neighbors showing up for one another and investing in the promise of the next generation. This celebration is a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, it creates opportunity, and the Y will continue to stand at the heart of that work for years to come.”

“Creating pathways to opportunity for Harlem’s young people is one of the driving forces behind our mission and a responsibility we proudly embrace here at the Harlem YMCA,” said Christopher Foster, Executive Director of the Harlem YMCA. “Through a range of impactful programs and experiential learning opportunities, the branch continues to invest in the potential of our youth and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our Achievers in Industry initiative challenges and inspires local high school students to strive for academic success while gaining exposure to real-world possibilities beyond the classroom. With our committed partners and sponsors, we surround our scholars with meaningful experiences, mentorship, and professional connections that prepare them for what lies ahead.”

The Dr. Leo B. Marsh Memorial Award was established by the Achievers in Industry Committee in 1980 to commemorate Dr. Marsh – the founder of the Harlem Y’s Achievers initiative. Our 2026 honoree is Harlem-native Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day, a cultural trailblazer whose influence has reshaped the fashion industry by centering Harlem’s culture and elevating it on the world stage. Beyond fashion, he is a strong advocate for education and opportunity, supporting scholarship initiatives that expand access to higher education for underrepresented students through his partnership with Gucci Changemakers. He has also played an instrumental role in the Achievers Internship Program, hosting two interns at the Schomburg Center during hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and providing meaningful exposure to culture and professional growth.

This year’s honoree for the Carrie Terrell Youth Achiever Award, named after the first and only woman to hold emeritus status at the Harlem Y, is the exceptional Alexa Castillo. A senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy and a proud Rowe Scholar, Alexa connected with the Harlem Y as a freshman through the Teen Center and has remained deeply engaged ever since. She has gained hands-on experience as an intern in the Harlem Y Membership Department and through SYEP at the Harlem Y Summer Camp. With the support of Achievers alumni and mentors, she is on track to become the first in her family to attend college – an accomplishment that speaks to her determination and promise.

The Harlem YMCA and its corporate partners also presented 8 Achievers Awards and 14 scholarships to an outstanding class of potential leaders of tomorrow.

The Deloitte Corporate Community Award is given to a corporation which has excelled as a leader in promoting opportunity, education, and personal growth for youth in the communities they serve. This year’s honoree is MetroPlusHealth, which has supported the Harlem YMCA for nearly a decade. As a mission-driven health plan serving New Yorkers, MetroPlusHealth advances programs that provide mentorship, college and career exposure, and critical resources for young people, while also investing in the broader Harlem community through outreach, education, and expanded access to essential health services. MetroPlusHealth has stood alongside the Harlem YMCA as a champion for youth opportunity and community wellbeing, reflecting a shared dedication to strengthening Harlem’s youth and the broader community.

The Harlem YMCA’s Achievers in Industry program was founded in 1971 by the late Dr. Leo B. Marsh, who was the first Black president of the Association of the YMCA and was committed to helping youth fulfill their dreams and aspirations. This venture was designed to unite the resources of home, school, and community, supporting young people in reaching their academic goals.