In a rich display of community, ambition and opportunity, Riverside Hawks marked its 65th Annual Gala in style, joining forces with Earn Your Leisure (EYL) to honour the intersections of education, finance and sport.
The event, held on October 29 at The Grill & Pool in New York City, drew leaders, alumni, and supporters for an evening grounded in impact.
Founded in 1961 within the historic Harlem community, Riverside Hawks has grown into an elite youth-athletics and academic development organization, using basketball not just as a sport, but as a launchpad for life skills, academic achievement and leadership.
This year’s gala theme, “The Power of the Game”, underscored how athletic discipline, teamwork and strategic thinking built on the court translate into the classroom, career and community.
Riverside hawks sends a thank you:
“Thank you to everyone who joined us for an inspiring evening at our Riverside Hawks Annual Gala..” read a Riverside’s Instagram caption following the event.
“We’re deeply grateful to our honorees, guests, and partners whose generosity continues to drive our mission forward — using the Power of the Game to create opportunity and impact for our student-athletes.”
Amongst the honorees were, Erika Irish Brown, Head of Talent Management & Engagement at Citi, Earn Your Leisure co-founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, and Jose Minaya, Global Head of BNY Investments & Wealth.
Troy Millings On bring awareness:
When speaking to HOT 97, Troy Millings says this event was important, “to bring awareness to Riverside Church which has probably been around for 40 years. Young kids all the way from the age of 6-18..teaching them about life, life skills. Taking them around the world, helping kids get scholarships. So, whenever you support that, it’s important.”
The gala brought together alumni, families, donors, and community partners in celebration and purpose. The funds raised support Riverside Hawks’ extensive programming: from tutoring, mentoring and college guidance to elite basketball competition and leadership training across NYC’s Harlem, Washington Heights and Bronx regions.