Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration) celebrated its 44th anniversary as the nation’s first community development corporation at the annual “Cultivating an Abundant Community” benefit on Tuesday, June 28th at Chelsea Piers.

This year’s annual benefit honored Lloyd Blankfein, CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs, and Hill Harper, Award-Winning Actor and Best-selling Author.

“This year’s honoree recipients truly exemplify Restoration’s mission of continuous achievement and leadership,” says Colvin W. Grannum, President of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. “Restoration’s impact on the community is a reflection of this achievement and serves as motivation to service those who call Central Brooklyn home. Restoration has hosted an array of programs and services that have aided to the economic, educational and physical development of Bedford Stuyvesant. There is no better way to celebrate this tremendous progress than by paying tribute to our two exceptional honorees.”

Lloyd Blankfein received the Restoration Founders Award for Excellence in Achievement. projects such as The Bradford, a groundbreaking mixed-income
Award-winning actor, author, social activist and Harvard-trained lawyer Hill Harper received the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Award for Exemplary Leadership.

400 guests attend this year’s annual fundraiser. On hand to pay tribute to our honorees will be CEO and Chairman of American Express, Kenneth Chenault, esteemed author, lawyer , Harvard Law Professor, Charles Ogletree, former governor of New York David Paterson, our Honorary Chair members Frank Thomas and Vernon Jordan, Actress Tika Sumpter, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of Carver Bank, Deborah Wright,  Chairman and Restoration Board member Wayne C. Winborne, Chairman of New York Housing Authority, John Rhea as well as a host of top corporate, financial and philanthropic executives.