Ten years of responsible New Yorkers honored at the CSR Alumni Awards

After the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, insurance company EmblemHealth’s CEO Karen Ignagni instructed her vice president and special adviser, George Hulse, to donate $25,000 to the nonprofit 100 Black Men of New York.

The nonprofit is dedicated to advancing the Black community through mentorship for young adults, giving $2 million in college scholarships, distributing thousands of hot meals and more. The money from EmblemHealth was to be used however the organization saw fit.

This anecdote, shared at the 10th Anniversary Corporate Social Responsibility Alumni Awards, is an example of corporate social responsibility. This is a business practice that stems from the belief that businesses and organizations have a responsibility to support their communities through philanthropy, donations and volunteerism.

“We feel we have a responsibility to give back and to solve some of the problems that we have here,” Hulse, of EmblemHealth, said. “That’s the sort of company we are.”

The CSR Alumni Awards ceremony was held on Wednesday at EmblemHealth’s offices, organized by City & State and sponsored by 14 companies, including The Black Car Fund, the East Midtown Partnership and KPMG.

All recipients of the alumni award had first received the Responsible 100 Award from City & State 10 years prior and were being re-honored with a secondary award to acknowledge their continued work.

“We’re here to recognize these amazing New Yorkers who are making a meaningful impact in the lives of others, empowering communities, building positive brands, engaging in philanthropy and creating value within society,” City & State Advisory Board Chair Sheryl Huggins-Salomon said. “CSR alums, you are truly inspiring.”

Seventy-seven CSR alumni were recognized at the event, which featured speeches from leaders in the social responsibility space.

NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes received the lifetime achievement award and gave one of the keynote addresses. She is also a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors and the president of the Hazel N. Dukes & Associates Consultant Firm, which focuses on public policy, health and diversity.

“Whether you sit behind a desk and don’t get out to the communities, but you set policy that affect our citizens . . . you play a major role,” she said. “Don’t ever think that the role that you play is not important to the men and women of this city. Each one of you, whatever your role is, in your department, in your position, you are your partner to us, and I join with City & State in saluting each and every one of you.”

Michael Garner, who was appointed to be the chief business diversity officer for the City of New York in 2023 by Mayor Eric Adams, gave the second keynote address. His work centers around creating a more diverse business landscape through diversifying hiring and supporting minority-owned businesses.

“Sometimes you work in institutions where you dismantle policies that were created historically to exclude people who look like you: women, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics,” he said. “We know that in the greatest city of the world, it’s not easy when you’re driving change — and you are change agents.” 

Only about half of the CSR alumni braved the pouring rain to accept their awards in person from Huggins-Salomon, but those that did pick up their sparkling, glass awards said they were glad they did.

“I didn’t realize what I was doing for the community was being acknowledged until when I got [the award],” Montefiore Medical Center patient navigator Fatima Omarufilo said after receiving her CSR award. “I really appreciate getting that and I’m happy that I’m one of the responsible New Yorkers who actually serve the community with their full hearts.”

This sentiment was echoed by another award recipient, advisory consulting firm TAJ Global CEO and Founder Todd Jacobson, who was formerly the senior vice president, head of social responsibility at the National Basketball Association. 

“No matter where you work, no matter what you do, no matter what sector you’re in,” he said, “ We all have a responsibility to make where we live better and do it in instructive and collaborative ways that can really help all the world.”