Bowen Center
Humanitarian Awards
The Emma L Bowen Humanitarian Medal honors individuals who provide exceptional leadership and unfailing dedication to those in need. Their selfless efforts on behalf of others epitomize the legacy of the Bowen Center’s late founder, Mrs. Emma L. Bowen.
Previous honorees include Tony Award-winning choreographer Bill T. Jones, NBC New York Meteorologist Janice Huff, Born This Way Foundation Co-Founder and President Cynthia Germanotta, Civil Rights Icon The Reverend Al Sharpton, New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins, Congressman Charles Rangel, Businessman and Philanthropist Mark Goldsmith, Opioid Specialist Dr. Melissa Freeman and the late Percy E. Sutton. Held annually, the Humanitarian Awards Gala is the biggest event of the year for the Bowen Center. Funds raised from the gala help to continue the Bowen Center’s life-sustaining services including its mental health services for children and adults alike, addiction treatment services, food pantry, and more.
Bowen Center’s Past
HONOREES
Humanitarian Medal Honorees
Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey
Patricia C. Jordan
Rev. Al Sharpton
Cynthia Germanotta
Mark L. Goldsmith
Janice Huff
Cynthia DiBartolo
Bill T. Jones
Hon. David N. Dinkins
Dr. Melissa Freeman
Hon. Charles Rangel
Hon. Percy Sutton
Hon. Virginia Fields
Terrie Williams
Richard Salgado
Community Leadership Honorees
The Emma L. Bowen Community Leadership Award is presented to individuals and organizations whose dedication to their community has been invaluable. Recipients lead by example and work towards the betterment of their communities.
Wanda Matos
Luis Laboy, LMSW
“Doctor” Bob Lee
Dr. Uché Blackstock
Wendy Hilliard
Hon. Adriano Espaillat
Hon. Mark Levine
Bowen Center Humanitarian Awards
PREVIOUS EVENTS
2022 — Lume Studios
2021 — A Virtual Affair
2020 — A Virtual Affair
2018 — Columbia University
Bowen Center Humanitarian Awards
PAST SPONSORS
About Emma
Emma L. Bowen was a community activist, fighter for justice, founder and president of Black Citizens for a Fair Media (BCFM), and co-founder of the Foundation for Minority Interest in Media, and now known as the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, an outgrowth of BCFM. As a mental health professional and community activist in Upper Manhattan, Mrs. Bowen co-established the Upper Manhattan Mental Health Center, Inc. with William F. Hatcher in 1986. During her lifetime, Mrs. Bowen testified at the Federal Communications Commission on minorities and the media, she played the important role of spokesperson for numerous causes, and she was honored with awards for her significant contributions to community health and serving the needs of the mentally challenged. As a grandmother, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University and continued her work as an advocate for equality in the media and for mental health services, until her death in 1996. Ms. Bowen’s legacy endures. Because of her pioneering leadership, men and women of color occupy influential roles in American media, including writing, producing, directing, reporting, performing, and management. Today, thousands of families, adults, children, and senior citizens have access to the resources they need to live healthy lives.
