Abyssinian Development Corporation Raises
Record-Breaking $1.2 Million at 13th Annual
Harlem Renaissance Day of Commitment

Nearly 1000 Business Leaders and New York City
Dignitaries Attend “Leadership Breakfast”

- Funds to Benefit Myriad of Community
Initiatives Including Arts and Culture -

Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC), an innovative not-for-profit organization dedicated to renewing and reclaiming the spirit of community in one of New York City’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, announced that it generated a record-breaking $1.2 million dollars in philanthropic contributions at its annual Leadership Breakfast. The event, held on May 16, 2007, was attended by nearly 1,000 of New York ’s most influential business, civic and political leaders, was part of ADC’s celebration, the 13th Annual Harlem Renaissance Day of Commitment (HRDC).

Held in the Great Hall of Shepard Hall, on the campus of City College in the historic Hamilton Heights section of Harlem, the breakfast surpassed fundraising goals and proceeds will go towards the continued socioeconomic revitalization of Harlem . In particular, programmatic themes this year focused on arts and culture initiatives within the community. ADC has led this charge with the redevelopment of The Renaissance Complex, which when completed, will provide much needed rehearsal and performance space for Harlem’s community and professional arts organizations.

Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church and ADC Chairman, hosted the leadership breakfast; Ms. Sheena Wright, ADC President and CEO, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg kicked off the festivities. ADC presented Renaissance Awards to Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase James Dimon and Kathryn C. Chenault, Esq. The event was chaired by Senior Managing Director of Lazard Freres & Co., Vernon Jordan, Jr., Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, Debra L. Lee, President of ING Foundation, Rhonda Mims, and honorary chairs Spike and Tonya Lee.

Sheena Wright and Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III

“ADC’s community development work is comprehensive in nature—it spans from affordable housing to education, from civic engagement to supporting small businesses, and touches every member of our community from the youngest to the oldest,” said Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III. “Our founders knew, and passed on to us, that an investment in the bricks and mortar development of a community is worth nothing without a parallel investment in the people, the spirit, and the culture of the community. ADC is very excited, therefore, about this year’s Harlem Renaissance Day of Commitment and this particular opportunity to stress the importance of artistic investment in community-building.”

“Today was a great success for ADC in ensuring the economic sustainability of our beloved community,” said Sheena Wright, President and CEO of Abyssinian Development Corporation. “We’re so glad dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem could be here today to help celebrate the possibilities that the revitalization of The Renaissance Complex will bring, and we offer our deepest gratitude and praise for those whose contributions express a renewed and deepened commitment to all of our community projects.”

Established in 1995, HRDC highlights the year’s many accomplishments, programs and services and showcases the electrifying and continuous Harlem revival. Guests and dignitaries were given a tour of historic neighborhoods, including Strivers Row, Sugar Hill and Astor Row, and had the opportunity to see first-hand ADC developments. The tour concluded at Odell Clark Place and 138th Street , where participants visited the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church.

In the afternoon, ADC hosted a Street Fair on West 138th St. between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Malcolm X Boulevards, complete with free food, music, games and amusement rides. The culminating event of the Harlem Renaissance Day of Commitment was an evening reception — “A Taste of Harlem” — at The Great Hall. The popular evening event featured acclaimed songwriter and performer, Angie Stone, dancing and a sampling of food from some of Harlem ’s leading restaurants and caterers.