The Biondi School To Honor Hugh B. Price February 26th for Black History Month

Dr. Don Antonecchia, Superintendent of Leake and Watts (Leake & Watts) Services’ education programs, announced today that Hugh B. Price, former president and CEO of the National Urban League and a dynamic proponent of education and economic opportunity for African-Americans, will be this year’s inductee into the Biondi School Black History Wall of Fame on Friday, February 26, 2016. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Biondi School Auditorium on the Leake & Watts Yonkers campus.

“Throughout his career, Hugh B. Price has worked directly and indirectly to shape policies and public opinion to improve the lives of African-Americans,” explained Dr. Antonecchia. “From working in inner city organizations like the Black Coalition, to advocating for educational opportunities for at-risk youth as vice president of The Rockefeller Foundation, to leading the National Urban League for nine years, Mr. Price has used his great expertise and influence to make a meaningful difference in the community. He is a positive, powerful role model for African-American youth.”

Mr. Price’s induction marks the fifth year that The Biondi School has commemorated Black History Month by honoring accomplished African-Americans who have made significant contributions to society. Previous recipients of the award include New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; civil rights attorney Mayo Bartlett, co-founder of Safe Passage; and Biondi School Assistant Principal Al Grimes, a member of the first African-American college relay team to win the National Invitational Two Mile Event.

This year’s induction will include remarks from Mr. Price and a performance from The Biondi School Dance Club. Following the program, a plaque with Mr. Price’s name will be hung on the Black History Wall of Fame in The Biondi School, where it will be seen to inspire students every day.

“Mr. Price has devoted his career to creating opportunities that empower inner city youth to rise to their fullest potential, a commitment that mirrors the philosophy of The Biondi School,” Dr. Antonecchia noted.

With a 40-year career that spans journalism, philanthropy, the law, and social advocacy, Hugh Price is widely acknowledged as an expert on education, civil rights, equal opportunity, and criminal justice. As head of the National Urban League from 1994 to 2003, he launched the League’s historic Campaign for African-American Achievement, a campaign that was coordinated with the Congress of National Black Churches and numerous other national Black civic, social, and professional organizations. He also helped establish the organization’s new headquarters in New York City and reintroduced Opportunity, the magazine that had once been a prominent voice for Black economic issues. As vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation (1988-1994), Mr. Price oversaw its domestic investments to improve education for at-risk youth and increase opportunities for people of color.

During the course of his career, Mr. Price served on various boards of prominent American corporations including the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Bell Atlantic, and Sears Roebuck & Company. He contributed articles to major publications, and spoke regularly on issues of interest to Urban League members. He also published several important books, including Destination: The American Dream, a collection of his speeches and writings while with the National Urban League, and Achievement Matters: Getting Your Child the Best Education Possible, a book that offers to guide Black parents as they try to help their children get the most of the education system.

Mr. Price began his professional career as a legal services lawyer representing low-income clients in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1978, he and his family moved to New York City, where he served until 1982 as a member of the Editorial Board of The New York Times writing mainly about domestic policy issues. He then served for six years as senior vice president of WNET/Thirteen in New York. Mr. Price was appointed vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation in 1988. He formerly served as a senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution.

Mr. Price holds a BA from Amherst College and an LLB from Yale University Law School.