New York City Economic Development Day
NYC Economic Development Day (EDD), hosted at Columbia University, featured topical conferences on the business and economic factors impacting the Harlem community.
This year’s Basil A. Paterson Awards Luncheon was emceed by Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS.FM. The 2019 Basil A. Paterson Award was presented to Mayor David N. Dickens. Congressman Charles B. Rangel accepted the award on his behalf. The Honorable H. Carl McCall was presented with the Citi Bank Founders Award, and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson received the HARLEM WEEK Pride 50 Award. 2019 HARLEM WEEK Scholarship Grants were also awarded.
This year’s Health Summit highlighted the city wide impact of the growing opioid crises. Guest speakers included NY City Council member Mark Levine and Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz. Panelist included Kellie Bryant (Columbia University School Of Nursing), Dr. Maurice Wright (Harlem Hospital Center), Gale Goldstein (NY City Department Of Health & Mental Hygiene), and Chauncey Parker (Manhattan District Attorney’s Office).
Opening remarks at the annual Business & Development Summit were given by Gregg Bishop (Commissioner, NY City Small Business Services), and Tanya Pope ( Columbia University Facilities & Operations). Two panels of industry professionals focused on opportunity zones and major public, private, and government development projects in Upper Manhattan and New York City. Panelist included Ronald D. Brown, Esq. ( Brown Hatchet Williams, LLP), Louis Katsos (Jekmar Associates), Hany Ayoub (Columbia University), Michael Garner (Metropolitan Transportation Authority), and Wayne Benjamin (Dormitory Authority State Of New York). Kenneth Knuckles (NY CIty Panning Commission) gave closing remarks.
The Urban Technology & Cybersecurity Summit underlined the theme Our Local Businesses Lead To Global Commerce. Welcome remarks were given by Borough President of Manhattan, Gale Brewer, and C.E.O of Silicon Harlem, Clayton Banks. Special presentations were given by Kenn Kern and Jeremy Glickman of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and a panel discussion featured Elizabeth Roper (Office of the Manhattan District Attorney), Dr. Tarek Saadawi (The City College Of New York), Daniel Reyes (LDI Industries), Loren Nadres (NYC Office of the Mayor), and Lt. Gustavo Rodriguez (New York City Police Department). Closing remarks were given by Ben Topor (Spectrum).