The 2025 McSilver Awards
Honorees & Presenters
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. The 2025 McSilver Awards will be held at the NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life. Visit our archive to learn more about past McSilver Awards.
This year, the McSilver Awards recognizes nine trailblazing honorees, including a group of legislators who are championing Black maternal health. Learn more about their change-making careers and dedication to alleviating poverty and injustice:
Honoree
Hon. Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
New York State Assembly Member (AD-42), Majority Whip, and Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of MWBEs
Honoree
Hon. Samra G. Brouk
New York State Senator (SD-55) and Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee
Honoree
Hon. Farah N. Louis
New York City Council Member (CD-45) and Chair of the Committee of Women and Gender Equity
Honoree
Hon. 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
Honoree
Hon. Lea Webb
New York State Senator (SD-52) and Chair of the Senate Women’s Issues Committee
Presenter
Dr. James Rodriguez
Senior Director of Clinical Initiatives, NYU McSilver Institute
Presenter
Dr. Jeffrey R. Ginsburg
President and CEO, Volunteers of America — Greater New York
Presenter
Maria Hinojosa
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, professor, and the founder of Futuro Media Group
Speaker
Dr. Michael A. Lindsey
Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work, NYU Silver School of Social Work
Sponsors
The generous sponsors listed below made the 2025 McSilver Awards possible, and their contribution will aid McSilver Institute’s innovation-driven approach to serving poverty-impacted communities.
Gold Sponsors
The Fund for the City of New York (FCNY)
JCCA
NYU Silver School Silver School of Social Work
Noxid Group
Dr. Lisette Nieves and Greg Gunn
Bronze Sponsors
Urban Resource Institute (URI-NYC)
Landing Light Strategies
Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at the NYU School of Law
Playlist
Keep the celebration going with our curated 2025 McSilver Awards playlist.
Listen on Spotify