The New York Public Library To Honor Citi CEO Michael Corbat At 2014 Spring Dinner for Education
The New York Public Library will honor strong supporters of lifelong learning at its 2014 Spring Dinner for Education, to be held on June 2 at its landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.
The annual dinner – which will begin at 6:30 p.m. – celebrates the Library’s commitment to educating all New Yorkers, and this year, will honor Citi Chief Executive Officer Michael Corbat.
Under Mr. Corbat’s leadership, Citi – which has a long history of philanthropic leadership – has supported several important educational programs at the Library, including a $5 million grant for MyLibraryNYC, an innovative pilot program that gives NYC public school students and teachers direct access to the city’s Library systems and materials, and the New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition, which provides entrepreneurial training in business research, planning, marketing and financial management, as well as start-up capital for winning participants.
“New York City is a global capital because of iconic institutions like the New York Public Library, which connect people to the arts, culture and opportunities for learning,” said Citi CEO Michael Corbat. “Citi and the New York Public Library share a commitment to giving back, and we are proud to support an institution that plays such an integral role in the lives of our children and in the future of our city.”
Outside of the Library, Citi has a proud, 200-year history of enabling economic progress for the individuals it serves and the communities where it operates. Citi has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. In each of those geographies, Citi and the Citi Foundation strive to collaborate with best-in-class partners to create measurable economic improvements that strengthen families and communities. In 2013, Citi and the Citi Foundation committed $144 million in philanthropic support to organizations across the globe.
In addition to honoring Mr. Corbat, the Library will also present two education advocates with the prestigious Brooke Russell Astor Award, an honor established in 1987 to spotlight unsung heroes who are relentless in their dedication to New Yorkers, and who have contributed substantially to the city’s enrichment. Countless nominations came in this, and the winners are:
Teresa Arboleda, President, Citywide Council on English Language Learners, was born and raised in New York City, but did not know English until she attended kindergarten in a NYC public school. She continued her education through New York public schools, receiving a B.A. in Educational Policy from the State University of New York. Teresa was active in her children’s schools, serving as Parents’ Association President of both their elementary and middle schools. As Co-Chair of the Multilingual Committee of the District 3 Community School Board, she worked to develop a bilingual education policy. In 2004, she was appointed by the Manhattan Borough President to serve on the District 3 Community Education Council and presently serves as the Public Advocate’s appointee to the Citywide Council on English Language Learners. Nominated by Daniel O’Donnell, New York State Assembly
Jeffrey Litt, Superintendent of Schools, Icahn Charter Schools, has dedicatedover four decades to service in the education of inner-city children in the South Bronx. He has worn many hats, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, special assistant to the NYC Chancellor, deputy superintendent, citywide mentor to principals, chairman of his community school board, and trustee of the NY Charter School Center. He has taught school administration on the graduate level at Fordham University and has trained principals and teachers on Core Knowledge throughout the country. Jeffrey was selected as the founding principal of Icahn Charter Schools and now serves as superintendent of the Icahn Charter School network, consisting of seven highly recognized schools. Nominated by Seymour Fleigel, President, The Center for Educational Innovation—Public Education Association (CEI-PEA)
“Through its countless free programs, classes, and materials, The New York Public Library offers access to knowledge, information, and opportunity to all New Yorkers,” said NYPL President Tony Marx. “We are proud to honor Michael Corbat of Citi, a strong supporter of that mission, and of education and literacy throughout the world. We are also proud to honor Jeffrey Litt and Teresa Arboleda, two education advocates who keep Mrs. Astor’s legacy of tireless dedication to improving the city of New York alive.”
Contact: Adenike Olanrewaju| 212.592.7008| adenikeolanrewaju@nypl.org
About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 91 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.