The New York Women’s Foundation Honors Five Trailblazing Women At 2025 Neighborhood Dinner

The New York Women’s Foundation hosted the 31st annual Neighborhood Dinner at Industry City in Brooklyn, celebrating bold local leadership and honoring five extraordinary women who are building stronger communities across New York City. The evening was filled with conversation, art, and stories that reflected the Foundation’s belief in people and the power of coming together.

Held under the theme “Powering forward, together.” The event brought together over 300 community members, nonprofit partners, philanthropists, and civic leaders to uplift the collective strength of women changemakers and grassroots leaders working toward a more just and equitable future, starting in their own neighborhood.

Since its inception in 1994, the Neighborhood Dinner has been a cherished tradition of The Foundation, recognizing the leadership, creativity, and care of women at the forefront of change. This year’s honorees reflect Brooklyn’s deep legacy of resilience and innovation.

The evening opened with a panel discussion moderated by Camille Emeagwali and featuring Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, and Renette Bradley, Housing Justice for All.

The 2025 Honorees for the Neighborhood Leadership Award were Linda Goode Bryant, a visionary leader whose Just Above Midtown and Project EATS have redefined how art, justice, and food sustain communities, and Lorena Kourousias, the Executive Director of Mixteca, guiding education, healing, and empowerment programs for Latinx immigrant families.

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award went to Luisa Navarro, a journalist turned entrepreneur, whose Mexico In My Pocket celebrates Mexican culture through storytelling, commerce, and community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stacey Cumberbatch, a force in New York City public service and philanthropy, and Brennan Gang, who leads programs at the Korean American Community Foundation.

“We know how important it is to invest in the solutions that transform, not the solutions that are a Band-Aid,” said Ana L. Oliveira, President and CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation. “Because courage is as contagious as fear. It is a choice which one we want to be inoculated with and share with others. I know you choose courage because you are here. We at The Foundation do too. We will continue in our relentless persistence of funding solutions that are by and for women and gender-expansive people.”

The evening brought The Foundation’s mission to life, spotlighting Brooklyn-based community partners and their impact. The program included performances by youth from Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy and viBe Theater Experience, and catering by partners of the Violence Intervention Program (VIP Mujeres). Speakers and presenters included Mary Baglivo and Danielle Moss Cox, Co-Chairs of The New York Women’s Foundation Board of Directors, as well as Helene Banks, Michelle Henry, and Elba Montalvo, Co-Chairs of the Neighborhood Dinner Steering Committee.

Visit nywf.org/nd2025-reflections for more.