Community Matters Gala

In its second year, TPFF's Community Matters Awards & Benefit Gala will gather attendees from all over to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of dynamic community leaders within the arts and wellness field.

Join us for a celebration through the power of storytelling as we honor the recipients of the 2024 Community Impact Award, The Bent Not Broken Award, and The Cultural Enrichment Award.

Funds raised from our benefit gala will provide essential support for TPFF's community members, with specific emphasis on programs, scholarships, and building a Performing Arts & Wellness Center.

TPFF salutes our wonderful event committee chairs for their continued support & dedication. 

Gala Honorary Chair, Andres Nieto

Gala Co-chairs, Linda C. Lombardi & Primrose Hammond

TPFF'S Gala Host

Errol Barnett

Emmy award-winning anchor + national correspondent | CBS news

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

Paloma Hernandez - MS, MPH

Urban Health Plan

This award celebrates individuals, organizations, or projects that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting and enhancing the well-being of communities through groundbreaking, innovative, and creative approaches.   
 
This year The Community Impact Award is presented to Paloma Hernandez, MS, MPH, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Health Plan (UHP), a network of community health centers located in the South Bronx, Central Harlem, and Northwestern Queens. Ms. Izquierdo-Hernandez, who was raised in the Bronx, is a graduate of Boston College and holds an M.A. in speech pathology from Columbia University's Teachers College, an M.P.H. from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Boston College, as well as an Honorary Doctoral from Metropolitan College of New York.  

Paloma Hernandez represents the essence of what is needed in a community leader.  For over 50 years, Urban Health Plan has provided vital healthcare to the communities. By improving access to care and vital healthcare services, Urban Health Plan is a beacon for us all.  Under Paloma's stewardship and leadership, Urban Health Plan grew from a one-site health center in the South Bronx to a network of twelve federally qualified community health centers spanning the Bronx, Central Harlem, and Corona, Queens, twelve school-based health centers, and two mental health facilities, all serving over 89,000 patients annually. Her relentless pursuit to help as many community residents as possible has improved the lives of countless individuals in creating healthier communities.

It is a privilege and honor to present this year's TPFF Community Impact Award to Paloma for her life-long commitment to empowering, enabling, and supporting community residents.

BENT NOT BROKEN AWARD

Dr. Karen A. Scott - MD, MPH

FORE

This award celebrates individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have made significant contributions to clinical research in their industry through innovative approaches, advancements, and groundbreaking achievements.  It honors the commitment, and resilience of those who work tirelessly to improve health and the lives of those facing physical and mental health challenges.   
 
This year The Bent But Not Broken Award is presented to Dr. Karen Scott, MD, MPH, President of the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE), established in 2018. Dr. Scott has over 20 years of experience in healthcare policy, quality improvement, health services research, and public health. She has worked with public health and delivery system leaders to redesign care and promote health equity, quality and patient safety, and population health improvement. Dr. Scott has led large-scale change initiatives within delivery systems, focusing on public and safety net providers, and the populations they serve.  
 
In these challenging times in public health, as we face numerous obstacles that unequally affect our most vulnerable populations, Dr. Scott continues to leverage the power of science and evidence and her vast experience, to create innovative solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time.  Her efforts and those of FORE, are a testament to committing ourselves to take action for a healthier community. Through her work now and in the past, she has is emblem of authenticity, a medical leader, a compassionate clinician, and a passionate advocate for supporting people to overcome their challenges so that they may reach their full potential. 

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AWARD

Sylvia Waters, BS

Alvin Ailey II

This award recognizes initiatives that harness the power of creativity and cultural expression to create positive social change, promote inclusivity, and enhance the lives of community members. It honors individuals and organizations that have shown a strong dedication to using the arts as a tool for storytelling, community involvement, and empowerment. 
 
This year, The Cultural Enrichment Award is given to Sylvia Waters, BS, Artistic Director Emerita of Alvin Ailey II. Ms. Waters has played a key role in the growth and development of one of the country's most dynamic young dance companies. Her passion for dance began when the art form was introduced in her junior high school curriculum. She furthered her studies at the New Dance Group on a scholarship, where she was taught by renowned faculty members including Alvin Ailey. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Dance from The Juilliard School, studying under the guidance of Antony Tudor, Martha Graham, Alfredo Corvino, and Mary Hinkson. 
 
Ms. Waters is a trailblazer, a dancer, a choreographer, an educator, and a leader dedicated to nurturing and inspiring young people, serving as an exemplary figure for us at TPFF. Her lifelong dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts pay homage to the past as she works towards cultivating the next generation of dancers. With sincere respect and gratitude, we are privileged to present her with the TPFF Cultural Enrichment Award. 

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Entertainment

Jelani Remy

@itsjelaniremy

Jelani Remy: is currently starring as Goldie Wilson/ Marvin Berry in Back To The Future at The Winter Garden Theater. He is a New Jersey native and Montclair State University alumni who made his Broadway debut playing "Simba" in Disneys The Lion King (Simba) and going on to play "Eddie Kendricks" in Ain't Too Proud The Life and Times of the Temptations.

Off Broadway and regional credits include Smokey Joes Cafe, Cabaret, Oscar Micheaux Suite, In the Trenches, Love Around The Block, The Apple Boys and stage productions of Disneys High School Musical 1 & 2!

Jelani is a Papermill Playhouse Rising Star and Chita Rivera award recipient.