Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation celebrates 50th anniversary

November 6, 2017 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Restoration Corporation President and CEO Colvin Grannum. Photo by Ed Reed

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This year’s Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Restore Brooklyn Benefit, which was held on Oct. 31 at Cipriani 42nd Street, celebrated the 50th anniversary of Restoration, the nation’s first community development corporation.

The event raised $1.5 million to support critical programs and services that foster economic self-sufficiency, enhance family stability and growth, promote the arts and culture and transform Brooklyn neighborhoods into safe, vibrant places to live, work and visit. Restoration honored Citi (accepted by Robert Annibale, Global Director of City Community Development and Inclusive Finance); BRP (accepted by Meredith Marshall, managing partner and co-founder); MaryAnne Gilmartin, president and CEO of Forest City New York; and The Ford Foundation (accepted by Darren Walker, president).

“Our 50th anniversary gala exceeded our expectations due to the outpouring of support for Restoration and our honorees. The event raised $1.5 million, setting a new record for Restoration. A huge thank you to all those who made donations, attended the event, or worked behind the scenes. The Gala marks the high point of our 50th anniversary year, and we intend to host other events related to practice of community development. Please stay tuned,” stated Colvin W. Grannum, president and CEO of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.

“Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of Restoration’s 50th anniversary Gala on Oct. 30. This year’s gala was a truly special evening — filled with inspiring words from our honorees, testimonials and performances, delectable food and cocktails and a spontaneous spirit of festivity. With your generosity, we exceeded all fundraising goal for this event, providing critical support for Restoration’s programs in education, employment, financial empowerment, youth services, public health and arts and culture,” added Kevin Chavers, chairman of the Board of Directors for Restoration.

Founded by bipartisan New York Sens. Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits in 1967, Restoration is the nation’s first community development corporation and has served as the model for thousands of community development corporations across the U.S.