Contributed Photo
Valerie Bertrand sent in this piece:
Hugh Price, former president and CEO of the National Urban League, was honored on June 18 by the African-American Historical Society, Inc., at its 8th annual awards ceremony. This year’s theme was “Change and Empowerment.” Price received the Lifetime Contributions award for “A Lifetime Commitment to Social Justice and Social Advocacy.”
Price (in the center of the picture above) has had a long relationship with New Haven. He said his life was shaped by living here. He was a city activist and the first executive director of New Haven’s Black Coalition, during the turbulent 1960s. Price was also a lawyer with Legal Aid in New
Haven.
Price, a graduate of Yale Law School, was a marshall with the Freedom Riders. A descendant of a Trumbull slave and notable Revolutionary War solider, Nero Hawley, Price also proudly mentioned that his mother was born in West Haven. After leaving New Haven, he went on to work with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Brookings Institution. He was a vice president of WNET-13 in New York, was on the New York Times Editorial Board and was a member of several other prestigious groups where he advocated for civil and human rights.
At the event, community awards were given to William “Pete” Gray, founder and executive director of the Dixwell Neighborhood Corporation, for his “Lifelong Commitment to Community Service.” Gray (on the left in the photo at the top of the story) is still active in the DNC. Elsie Cofield, founder and president of the AIDS Interfaith Network Foundation, won for her “Service to the Community and Humanity.” This year is the 25th anniversary of the Interfaith Network. Hattie Turner (pictured, at the podium), a longtime community and youth activist, received an award for her “Commitment to Community Service.”
Each honoree has a long an impressive biography. The recipients made remarks after they received their awards. Historical society president Valerie Bertrand commented that “this year’s honorees exemplify ‘Change and Empowerment.’ Each has spent a substantial part of his or her life trying to improve the lives of others. These honorees are still creating positive legacies to leave to future generations.”
Bertrand added that “for the past eight years, our society has awarded people that we feel have made significant contributions to the betterment of society. This is our way of saying thank you for all that you’ve done.”
The organization first handed out awards in 2004. That year, the main honoree was federal Judge Constance Baker Motley, in what is thought to be her last public appearance, at least in this area.
In addition to the historical society awards, each honoree received addition citations and awards from U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, state Comptroller Kevin Lembo and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.
The event was held at the Michael Adanti Center at Southern Connecticut State University. Entertainment was provided by Ric Jennings, Steve Daniels and Lillie Perkins and the Unity Boys Choir. Flowers from the ceremony were donated to the Hannah Gray Home in New Haven. The affair was catered by Larry Lucky.