NAACP Opens New York City Development Office

The Blackstone Group Donates Office Space on 6th Avenue As Completion Of Centennial Gift to NAACP

NEW YORK, NY – The NAACP announced the official opening of the NAACP New York Development office.  NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, NAACP Vice Chairman Roslyn Brock, NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel N. Dukes were joined by New York Governor David A. Paterson and Blackstone President & COO Hamilton “Tony” James for the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

“The NAACP is grateful to the Blackstone Group for their generous donation of this beautiful office space.  New York is the birthplace of the NAACP and it is only fitting that our development office be located here,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.  “This office will make an invaluable contribution to our fight for justice, equality and civil rights for many more years to come.  We are proud to have the Blackstone Group’s support for our cause and as part of the NAACP family.”

The NAACP New York Development Office, located at 1095 Avenue of the Americas, is the completion of the Blackstone Group’s Centennial gift to the NAACP.  Blackstone, headed by Stephen A. Schwarzman, is a leading global investment and advisory firm headquartered in New York City.  During the NAACP Centennial Convention last July, Blackstone was the largest contributor to the NAACP.

“Over the past decade, the NAACP has made an indelible mark on the history of civil rights and Blackstone is honored to help welcome them as they make New York City their new home,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman.  “I am pleased that Blackstone was able to play a role in helping the organization put down permanent roots here and look forward to watching the NAACP continue to impact our country and this city in positive ways.”

“I am proud to stand with The Blackstone Group as we officially open the NAACP New York Development Office,” stated NAACP Chairman Julian Bond.  “As one of my last actions as Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, I am honored to stand with President Jealous and New York State President Hazel N. Dukes to open this office and a new chapter in the history of the NAACP.  100 years ago the NAACP was born in this city, we have dreamed bold dreams and achieved big victories in that time, with this new office it will ensure that the NAACP will continue to do so,” concluded Bond.

“The NAACP having a national development office in New York is incredible.  As the host of the Centennial Convention in New York last year, this was one of our crowning achievements.  Companies like the Blackstone Group, and their commitment to civil rights are companies the NAACP is proud to stand with and we thank them for allowing us this space to operate,” said NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel N. Dukes.  

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.