Celebrating Advocacy: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.
Join us for CIDNY’s Second Annual Gala, Celebrating Advocacy: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, on Monday, October 27, 2025 to celebrate the powerful impact of advocacy on New York City’s disability community—and support the critical work still ahead.
Featuring:
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- Keynote by Peabody and Emmy-award-winning journalist Geraldo Rivera and legendary disability advocate Bernard Carabello, discussing their groundbreaking work exposing conditions at Willowbrook School that sparked decades of disability rights progress
- Award presentations honoring outstanding disability justice advocates
- The beautiful and fully accessible Perelman Arts Center at the World Trade Center
- Curated cuisine and cocktails from Metropolis by Chef Marcus Samuelsson
People with disabilities experience significant challenges trying to navigate an able-bodied society. CIDNY focuses on seven areas of advocacy: physical health, mental health, housing, education, employment, voting, and transportation. We are inviting you to our annual fundraiser to help us advance our mission.
Proudly supported by our sponsors including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and other generous partners.
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), 251 Fulton Street New York, NY 10007
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/annual-gala-430
Keynote Speaker: Geraldo Rivera, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist
One of media’s most enduring broadcasters, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Geraldo Rivera has been breaking news, providing insightful commentary and conducting revealing interviews for more than five decades. One of America’s most consequential TV reporters, he has been winning awards and breaking ratings records since 1970. A veteran of ABC, NBC, and Fox News, Geraldo is currently Correspondent-at-Large for cable’s NewsNation. Click here for more about Geraldo Rivera.
Guest Speaker: Antonio Delgado, Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lifetime Achievement Award in Disability Justice Recipient: Mike Schweinsburg, President, 504 Democratic Club
Mr. Schweinsburg’s contributions to the 504 Democratic Club and the disability community are notable. He assumed the role of Vice President in 2003 and, for over a decade, also served on the Board of a prominent Independent Living Center, where he organized successful fundraisers and major demonstrations for both organizations. In 2015, he organized New York City’s inaugural Disability Pride Parade and played an instrumental role in establishing July as Disability Pride Month—an achievement that earned him a Mayoral Proclamation and made New York City the first municipality in the nation to grant this recognition. His ongoing advocacy continues to be referenced on the floor of Congress as he pursues national acknowledgment for Disability Pride Month. He has served as president of the 504 Dems since 2017. Click here for more about Mike Schweinsburg.
Disability Justice Advocacy Award Recipient: Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller
Comptroller Brad Lander serves as New York City’s chief financial officer, leading an office of roughly 800 public servants in their work to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of city government and secure a more thriving and sustainable future for all New Yorkers. Click here for more about Brad Lander.
Tickets:
Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
Information on sponsorship opportunities and sponsorship tiers can be found by clicking HERE.
For questions or to secure a sponsorship, please contact Sarah Pita at spita@cidny.org or 347-971-8002.
If you cannot be there with us in person, you can still support our work and the people we serve with a donation at https://www.cidny.org/donation/