CUP Events

Save the Date: CUP and Voto Latino Host Voter Engagement Celebration - October 2

Save the date for a voter engagement celebration hosted by CUP and Voto Latino with special guest Rosario Dawson on October 2 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. For more information, contact Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org.

A Special Invitation: Meet, Greet and Congratulate our REACH Scholars - 1,000 Strong!

REACH Scholars will pick up their award checks Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (August 19-21) at the Chase bank branch located at 1411 Broadway, on the corner of 39th Street from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. To celebrate the students' achievements, we have set up a fun program for them when they come to pick up their checks, and we would love for you to join us on any of the three days to meet and congratulate these exceptional young people.

Each student will receive a minimum of $500 for passing one AP exam with a score of three, and some students will receive $1,000 or more for passing multiple exams. In total, over 1,000 students will receive nearly $1 million! In addition, 19 of 31 REACH Schools earned Matching Grants totaling $307,000 for increasing student performance on AP exams.

On Wednesday, we're planning to invite some carefully selected print and television media to cover this exciting event, and we have invited one of REACH's biggest supporters, Joel Klein, Chancellor of NYC public schools, to meet and say a few words to our REACH Scholars. The media event will take place at 2:00 pm.

We hope you can join to celebrate the achievements of our REACH Scholars. Please RSVP to REACH@nycup.org.

Save the Date for the Inaugural Wall Street Partners Dinner - September 23

Finance professionals at the Managing Director or higher level are invited to join us for a very special evening of fine dining, conversation and networking September 23 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Please contact Chloe Drew at cdrew@nycup.org with any questions.

Save the Date for a Conversation with Ted Wells, Partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison - November 18

The Distinguished Leadership Series presents a "Conversation with Ted Wells," on November 18. The location will be announced at a later date.

A partner and co-chair of the Litigation Department at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLC, Ted Wells has extensive litigation experience in white-collar criminal defense, complex civil and corporate litigation, SEC regulatory work and class action litigation.

In 2006 The National Law Journal named Mr. Wells Lawyer of the Year and over the years has repeatedly selected him as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America and as one of America's top white-collar criminal defense lawyers. Mr. Wells also has been recognized as one of the outstanding jury trial lawyers in the United States by numerous publications including Chambers USA 2006, which noted he "is recognized by many as 'the greatest trial lawyer of our generation.'"

Active in social, political and community affairs, Mr. Wells served as national treasurer for Senator Bill Bradley's presidential campaign and currently serves as a trustee of Holy Cross College and the co-chair of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund Board of Directors. He previously served, on a pro bono basis, as general counsel to the New Jersey NAACP, New Jersey co-chairperson of the United Negro College Fund and general counsel to the New Jersey Democratic Party.

For more information about this event or to reserve your seat, please contact Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org.

Save the Date for a Conversation with Mike Schell, Executive Vice President of Alcoa - November 21

The Distinguished Leadership Series presents a "Conversation with Mike Schell," on November 21. The location will be announced at a later date.

Mike Schell joined Alcoa in May 2008 as Executive Vice President - Business Development and Law, a new position that encompasses supervisory responsibility for Alcoa's corporate development activities and its legal department. He is a member of the Alcoa Executive Council, the senior leadership group that provides strategic direction for the company.

Mr. Schell graduated from Columbia University in 1969 with a B.A. and received his law degree from Boston University in 1976. Mike is active in a variety of charitable, educational and civic activities. He is a trustee of Lake Forest Academy (Illinois) and the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies and a member of the Boston University School of Law Board of Visitors, Columbia's Board of Visitors, Georgetown University's Board of Visitors, and the Board of Directors of the Gordon A. Rich Memorial Foundation. He is a former trustee of Boston University and the National Down Syndrome Society.

For more information about this event or to reserve your seat, please contact Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org.

CUP News

Voting Recruitment Efforts Targeted Toward Young People of Color May Make the Difference in this Year's Election

By Sherri Daye Scott

Young people of color represent the future face of America.

The statistics are clear. According to a report released earlier this month by Washington D.C. think tank Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the United States is quickly moving toward a "majority-minority" population. PRB estimates less than 50 percent of Americans will be "non-white Hispanics" by 2050. Already, the group reports, the nation's demographic makeup is swiftly changing. Forty-three percent of Americans under 20 were ethnic minorities (Latinos, African-Americans, and Asians) in 2007.

The pending shift to a "majority-minority" population means it is imperative, more than ever, to encourage people of color to register to vote--and show up at the polls.

"Our democracy is based on participation," says Maria Teresa Peterson, executive director of Voto Latino, a voter advocacy and education group based in Washington D.C. "If you don't have a huge group participating, you basically have a concentration of power among the few, which is exactly what our forefathers didn't want."

The challenge, say registration organizers, is engaging would-be voters of color, particularly those 18 to 24 years old. African-American, Latinos, and Asians within that age bracket are less likely to register and vote than their white counterparts.

"The younger generation has not experienced the same degree of overt racism as previous generations," suggests Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, who represents the 57th Assembly District in Brooklyn.

Jeffries also believes cynicism bred from past disappointments (e.g. a preferred candidate's lost election or perceived betrayals by elected officials) plays a role. That cynicism then leads to disengagement and disenfranchisement.

Political engagement groups such as Voto Latino are working to combat that sense of disenfranchisement. To that end, Voto Latino adopted several strategies, including one first advocated by Alexis McGill, former executive director of voter empowerment group Citizen Change. The group relies on radio DJs to help recruit new voters and remind registered voters to exercise their right. Voto Latino borrowed the idea for its DJ campaign from McGill's research.

"Local DJs are the best resource for getting the word out," Voto Latino's Peterson says. "These are people who kids listen to everyday."

Other Voto Latino efforts to engage young Latino voters include public service announcements in Spanish and English, Web-based initiatives, and text-messaging campaigns.

The NAACP is also actively involved in the voter registration effort. The group's Civic Engagement Department launched the 2008 Voter Empowerment Program (VEP '08) in an effort to "increase awareness and participation in the electoral process" among people of color.

The number five plays a large role in the VEP '08 strategy. The end goal is to increase African-American voter turnout in 2008 by 5 percent over 2002's. Its mobilization efforts centers on five components: registration; education; election administration; election protection; and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV). Its "Arrive with 5" initiative asks participants to recruit five others to register and bring voters to the polls.

But will a 5% increase make a significant difference? Yes, says Jeffries, especially in critical swing states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio, where it is believed that the majority of new voters will vote for the Democratic candidate, Senator Barack Obama. More importantly, Jeffries continues, an increased voting base means a larger voice in Washington.

"Both parties have paid attention to the increase in Latino voters and have taken steps to address issues important to that community," Jeffries says. "Their concerns are being heard in more resounding fashion."

Studies show that if a person votes three times they are likely to become a lifetime voter, making efforts of voting advocacy groups critical. However, while donations and grants are flowing into such groups now, funding is not always so forthcoming. This is an issue that must be addressed if continued participation in the election process is to become a given among people of color.

"If the vision is to really have voter engagement and promote the democracy cycle, you can't knock every four years and ask them to be involved," Peterson says. Jeffries agrees.

"With the excitement of this year's election, we are beginning to see an increased interest among young and African-American voters," he says. "We need that excitement to transcend the national election."

Mid-Term Elections Participation Among Americans Aged 18 to 34

	Voted	Registered %
All	19.9	41.6
White Non-Hispanic	23.6	48.5
Black	19.2	38.2
Latin	10.2	23.6
Asian	10.1	23.3

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, November 2006

Get Out The Vote

The following groups are involved in recruiting young voters of color. Visit their sites to learn more about their voter engagement initiatives and to get involved.

Voto Latino - Founded in 2004, Voto Latino works to promote an enfranchised America by leveraging celebrity voices, the latest technology and youth themselves to promote positive change. Voto Latino seeks to empower our community. In 2006, Voto Latino launched the first national sms voter registration and GOTV project with Mobile Voter.

NAACP - The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The NAACP Civic Engagement Department has developed a 2008 Voter Empowerment Program (VEP '08) a nonpartisan campaign designed to empower African American and people of color by increasing awareness and participation in the electoral process.

Rock the Vote - Rock the Vote's mission is to engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country.

Hip Hop Summit - Founded in 2001, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is dedicated to harnessing the cultural relevance of Hip-Hop music to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other societal concerns fundamental to the empowerment of youth.

CUP Celebrates Summer at Touch Nightclub, July 23

More than 200 CUP members and guests gathered for a summer mixer at Touch Nightclub on July 23. It was a great opportunity for urban professionals to socialize and network with each other.

Win Neuger of AIG Holds Board Matching Event for CUP Members

Win Neuger, Chairman and CEO of AIG Investments, held an event for CUP members on July 24 to provide information about working and getting involved in the nonprofit sector. The panelists discussed how helping youth-serving organizationsis a worthwhile way to apply leadership skills and professional knowledge.

The event was co-hosted by Youth, I.N.C. (Improving Non-Profits for Children), which helps build sustainability in youth-serving nonprofit organizations in New York City.

CUP is Moving to the Financial District!

On September 1, we will relocate into a space we will share with the Hispanic Federation. Please make sure to update our contact information, so you can reach us with ease.

The Council of Urban Professionals
55 Exchange Place, Suite 501
New York, NY 10005

Email: Staff email address will remain the same.

CUP Committee Updates & Membership

Interested in Serving on a Corporate, Public Sector or Nonprofit Board?

CUP is committed to increasing the diversity of boards of directors at New York-based corporations, city and state agencies, and nonprofit organizations. As we help secure strategic board seats for our members, we will enhance our individual and collective capacity to develop a stronger network and become agents of transformative social change in our community.

If you are interested in board service, please complete this board survey. Click here for board survey.

We are currently assisting the following organizations in their search for board candidates:

Democracy Prep
Greater Harlem Nursing Home
Harlem YMCA
Justice Works
Lighthouse Academies
Out2Play
Stoked Mentoring

If you'd like to learn more about board positions with these organizations please contact Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org.

United Way Helps CUP Members Join Nonprofit Boards

Give back. Connect. Lead.

As a high-level professional, CUP invites you to explore Linkages, a United Way of New York City program that connects talented urban professionals with local nonprofit Boards.

Click here to apply for Linkages online. Applications are due September 5. You must be available to attend both Saturday training sessions (October 18 and 25) to be accepted. Training sessions are from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

If accepted, Linkages provides governance training to small groups of "rising stars" and then refers each individual to several Boards through a free "high-touch" placement service. In the last 12 months, Linkages placed 72 business professionals on 61 boards throughout NYC. Read about the "perfect match" Linkages made between CUP Member Val Whittaker and a local nonprofit.

For more information, please email Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org.

RSVP for Youth, I.N.C.'s "Developing Leaders through Nonprofit Service Seminar," October 20

Youth, I.N.C will hold another segment of its "Developing Leaders through Nonprofit Service Seminar," October 20 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Youth, I.N.C.'s mission is to improve the lives of America's youth through a unique venture philanthropy model that empowers, develops, and educates nonprofit organizations serving young people.

Click here to see a list of nonprofits Youth I.N.C is currently supporting.

The panel will feature executive directors and board members from several youth-serving nonprofits. The seminar is designed for mid or senior-level professionals with approximately 10 or more years work experience that have a strong interest in joining a board and having an impact on a youth-serving organization in New York City.

For more information about Youth, I.N.C., visit www.youthinc-usa.org.If you are interested in attending this event, please RSVP to bbarnhart@youthinc-usa.org.

Welcome CUP New Members!

Vernon Beckford - Associate, Real Estate Structured Finance and Securitization Group, Credit Suisse
Shannon Cowherd - Equity Analyst, Citibank
Olga Malets - Programmer Analyst, AIG Investments
Nik Mittal - Managing Partner, Jana Partners
DeVon Prioleau - Associate in Architecture & Construction, AIG Global Real Estate
Ryan Smith - Vice President, Credit Suisse
Gina Tirdo Strayer - Digital Sales/Media Strategies Manager, impreMedia Digital
Jimmy Yan - General Counsel to Manhattan Borough President

Don't forget to add "The Council of Urban Professionals" to the list of activities on your resume, CV and social networking sites.

Member Profile: James Coleman
(Member since July 2008)

What is your occupation and how did you come to work in this area?
Executive and Business Coaching is my occupation. After 25 years of being in sales and management for four Fortune 500 Companies including Oscar Mayer & Co., Pepsi-Cola Company, Philip Morris USA, and American Express, I decided to provide my expertise and experience to small and midsize companies to help them grow their business and their organizations.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career thus far?
I can help business owners build the value of their business for future generations. I'm able to help them build profitability and long-term value thereby using their business to take care of their loved ones and future generations.

What has been your favorite project?
My favorite project has been to assess several of my client's organizations and using the findings to help them build strategic plans. As a result of these plans, they have seen double digit growth and improved organizational productivity.

What three characteristics have helped you to succeed?
Persistence, preparation and calculated risk taking.

Who is your role model and why?
Supreme Justice Clarence Thomas, he is a great example of a strong responsible black man, he loves his family and respects his grandfather; he is highly educated, he has southern manners, he is at the top of his field and he is able to withstand severe criticism for his personal conservative views and beliefs.

How do you keep a balance between work and life?
I keep a daily calendar and I have a list of daily "To Do's", I also plan vacations far out into the future as well as periodic last minute trips to my farm in Kentucky to decompress and to get closer to my roots and heritage.

Corporate Member Profile: Nixon Peabody
Member Since Fall 2007

(Answers provided by Greg Weston, Real Estate and Community Development Counsel)

Nixon Peabody joined as a Corporate Member of The Council of Urban Professionals in 2007. Our firm was impressed with the types of events that CUP has sponsored and the caliber of professionals attracted to CUP.

As we became more involved, we realized that CUP's mission of access to capital, promoting diversity and educational reform was very much aligned with Nixon Peabody's core values. Our firm has been recognized for its leadership in diversity and community outreach so the connection with CUP seemed very natural. In addition, we are honored to act as legal counsel to CUP and in that role we look forward to helping the organization grow and expand its mission.

Many of our attorneys have participated in CUP events and over time our connection to CUP will help

NP attorneys foster relationships and participate in exciting political and community based activities.

CUP is uniquely positioned to create bridges between urban professionals and the greater community with a collective impact much greater than could be possible individually or through existing organizations. There is nothing quite like CUP, and its horizons are limitless.

CUP Member News...

CUP Member Whitney Tilson, founder and managing partner of T2 Partners LLC and the Tilson Mutual Funds, was a recipient of the John Whitehead Social Enterprise Award. This award, presented by the Harvard Business School Club of New York at their 41st Annual Leadership Dinner, rewards outstanding work and accomplishments in the philanthropic sector. Click here to see video from the dinner.

CUP Member Maryann Reid speaks with Soledad O'Brien on CNN about marriage and the two-parent home. Click here to see the interview.

Other Events

Save The Date: Evidence Dance Company presents "On Our Toes" in the Hamptons - August 23

Evidence Dance Company's famed choreographer Ronald K. Brown has blended African, modern, ballet, and hip hop dance styles to tell stories about what is important about the human experience. Very few companies explore in depth the history of blacks in America through dance. Ronald K. Brown uses traditional dance movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in contemporary culture. Ron K Brown/Evidence reacquaints his audiences with the beauty of traditional movement and rhythms, and provides a new method of dance communication. This wonderful cultural benefit is a great opportunity for members to help a philanthropic cause while having a fun day in the Hamptons.

The event will be held at Nova's Ark in Bridgehampton. NY and will begin with cocktails at 4:30 p.m, followed by a 5:30 p.m. performance. A post performance party will commence at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for CUP Members are $400.

For more information, please visit http://www.evidencedance.com/M6_specialevents.htm

RSVP for Vote Hope Luncheon August 27 in Denver

Join Vote Hope, during the DNC Convention in Denver, for a luncheon Wednesday, August 27 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. The luncheon will be held at the Ritz-Carlton, 1881 Curtis Street (@ 19th St.) in Denver. Guest speakers include Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Congresswoman Hilda Solis, New York Assemblyman and CUP Member Hakeem Jeffries, and San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.

Vote Hope is a political action committee formed by a national network of progressive leaders and donors working to elect Barack Obama President and to create a new diverse and progressive elected majority at all levels of government. Visit www.votehope.org for more information.

If you would like to invest in the next generation of progressive and diverse leadership, please join us to learn more about Vote Hope. Space is limited, RSVP at rsvp@votehope.org or 415-356-3480 by August 21.

Vote Hope is not affiliated with the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP). CUP is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Headed to the RNC Convention? Stayed tuned for more information about events hosted by CUP Members.

Jobs and Opportunities

New York Cares Seeks Executive Director

New York Cares is one of New York City's premier nonprofit organizations. Since 1987, New York Cares has been meeting critical needs of the city's most disadvantaged residents by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service. Last year, New York Cares' 40,000 volunteers helped 400,000 of their neighbors in need. The New York Cares Coat Drive has become a citywide holiday institution, providing warm coats to more than one million men, women and children since 1989.

Position Summary:

Manage the overall operations of NY Cares and provide visionary leadership.
Develop and maintain external relationships with donors.
Develop and maintain sound financial policies; prepare budgets and see that the organization operates within the budgetary guidelines.
Communicate the strategic vision of the organization effectively both internally and externally.
Raise substantial support from individuals, foundations and corporations through direct fundraising and special events.

For more information, please contact Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org

Columbia Business School seeks Chief Compliance Officer

The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for compliance for developing compliance strategy, setting the tone and direction for the global compliance program, coordinating the activities of individual business compliance programs and providing guidance on compliance issues to senior leadership, including the country heads to whom the local compliance directors report. The CCO participates in the conference calls and meetings of the Product Review Committee.

The Chief Compliance Officer reports to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer reports to the Chairman and CEO. The CCO works closely with the General Counsel, who is based in Hong Kong and who also reports to the EVP/COO. The CCO has a dotted line report to and close working relationship, the Chief Compliance Officer of the parent. The Position is based in New York City and will require significant travel to Asia to oversee compliance operations.

To the extent that issues come up and problems arise, and decisions need to be made around conduct, the CCO has authority to set and enforce minimum standards and rules. He or she is expected to raise flags up to the CEO, and higher if he or she has concerns that business conduct has crossed the client's risk threshold or if local market management is not remediating fast enough.

The CCO currently has 5 direct reports in addition to compliance directors in the field who report directly to the country head.

For more information, please email Ashleigh at agibson@nycup.org.