The Diversity Honors Gala, the nation’s premier awards program honoring leaders in the legal profession for diversity and inclusion, will return to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on Sept. 17. Hosted by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), the gala will recognize legal departments and law firms from across the country, and MCCA will bestow its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with red-carpet arrivals followed by the awards program in the Starr Theater that combines honors with entertainment, concluding with an elegant VIP Reception in Alice Tully Hall.
Five Employers of Choice will be honored for demonstrating an exemplary commitment to diversity and creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace. This year’s recipients are Entergy Corp., Target Corp., Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Comcast Cable Communications and Aetna.
Also to be recognized are winners of the George B. Vashon Innovator Award, given to in-house legal departments, law firms and bar associations that have led the way with innovative best practices to assist diverse attorneys. This year’s recipients are Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, New York Life Insurance Company, Pepper Hamilton LLP and Prudential Financial.
Ursula M. Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corp., will be honored with MCCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Burns is being recognized for making important and lasting contributions to advancing a society that fully appreciates, celebrates and recognizes the value of diversity.
Entertainment will be provided by acclaimed performer Mary J. Blige, whose many R&B hits have earned her international acclaim and nine Grammy awards. The gala will be emceed by Carl Quintanilla, CNBC anchor and NBC news correspondent.
Limited tickets remain for the Diversity Honors Gala. To order tickets or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jennifer Chen, Vice President – External Relations, at [email protected] or 202-739-5902. For more about the gala, go to mcca.com/gala.