The McSilver Awards

The McSilver Awards recognizes outstanding individuals who are transforming systems to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities living in poverty, locally and globally. Most recently, the 2025 McSilver Awards were held at the NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life.

The McSilver Awards were founded in 2013. Past recipients include Yamiche Alcindor, Tarana Burke, Jelani Cobb, Anna Deavere Smith, Erica Ford, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Maria Hinojosa, Karine Jean-Pierre, Malcolm Jenkins, Ana Oliveira, Reshma Saujani, Reverend Al Sharpton, Jose Antonio Vargas, and Robert “Meek Mill” Williams.

2025 AWARDS

Past Honorees

Nathaniel Fields

Chief Executive Officer, Urban Resource Institute (URI)

Full Bio

Mara Gay

Member of the New York Times Editorial Board and MSNBC Analyst

Full Bio

Lisette Nieves

President, Fund for the City of New York (FCNY)

Full Bio

Ronald E. Richter

CEO and Executive Director, JCCA

Full Bio

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn

New York State Assembly Member (AD-42), Majority Whip, and Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of MWBEs

Full Bio

Senator Samra G. Brouk

New York State Senator (SD-55) and Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee

Full Bio

Councilmember Farah N. Louis

New York City Council Member (CD-45) and Chair of the Committee of Women and Gender Equity

Full Bio

Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages

New York State Assembly Member (AD-22), Assembly Deputy Majority Leader, and Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus

Full Bio

Senator Lea Webb

New York State Senator (SD-52) and Chair of the Senate Women’s Issues Committee

Full Bio

Past Awards

Photo of 5 of the honorees standing with Rose Pierre-Louis

Date: June 2, 2023

The 2023 McSilver Awards

Date: June 10, 2019

The 2019 McSilver Awards

Photo of the Peace Poets performing on stage during the awards ceremony.

Date: June 1, 2013

All Past McSilver Awards Events

Sponsors

Past Honorees

Past Awards