In this edition of EMERGE we offer the final honoree spotlight  for our June 7th Benefit to- last but certainly not least-Howard A. Glickstein.  Read about this civil rights champion and, better yet, come to the gala and offer your congratulations.

This is a good time to recognize the dedicated committee of volunteers who have tirelessly planned for this 10th  anniversary celebration.  I am deeply grateful for their hard work, including the special touches that will make this a fun-filled event to remember.  Below are a few descriptions of exciting silent auction items that you won't want to miss.

For nonprofits with small staffs and big agendas, like ERASE Racism, volunteers are a necessity.  Read about volunteer Alexander Hu and meet him at the benefit!        

V. Elaine Gross

President

Howard A. Glickstein, Esq., the former Dean of Touro Law Center, is widely known for his distinguished leadership in helping the Center achieve its remarkable growth and stature.  His commitment to civil rights and public interest law, however, began long before he came to Long Island.  During the civil rights movement, Mr. Glickstein served as a Staff Attorney with the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and he helped to draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  He also served the nation as the General Counsel and, later, the Staff Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Howard Glickstein with President Johnson

Mr. Glickstein's lifelong advocacy for civil rights is further

reflected in his positions as professor and leader at several public 

interest law institutions.  He served as Director of the Notre Dame Center for Civil Rights and Adjunct Professor at Notre Dame Law School; as Professor and Director of the Equal Employment Litigation Clinic at Howard University School of Law; and as Dean of the University of Bridgeport School of Law from 1980 to 1985, during which time the school obtained full accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA) and membership in the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

In 1986, Mr. Glickstein became Dean of Touro Law Center.  His dedication and vision helped to establish the Law Center as a highly respected institution with a unique commitment to the public interest.  During Mr. Glickstein's tenure, Touro Law Center become one of the first law schools in the country to create a  pro bono requirement for graduation.  His important accomplishments include: full accreditation by the American Bar Association (ABA) and full membership in the Association of American Law Schools (AALS); the school's first scholarship endowment and first endowed chair; a commitment to diversity in the student body; and the relocation of the Law Center to its present site in Central Islip.

Mr. Glickstein is one of ERASE Racism's founding Board members.  He has played a key role in the organization's success and currently, with Scott Williams, co-chairs the ERASE Racism Board of Directors. 

Come and hear Mr. Glickstein and his fellow 10th Anniversary Honorees-Ruth J. Simmons, President of Brown University, John D. Cameron, Jr. of Cameron Engineerings & Associates LLP, and former Major League Baseball star Maurice "Mo" Vaughn for Omni New York, LLC-speak at the annual benefit on June 7th.  Buy your ticket today. 

*Dinner for four and gift basket at the Milleridge Inn

*Sunday brunch for four at the Garden City Hotel

*Taste of Freeport-restaurant gift certificates for the Nautical Mile Restaurant Extravaganza

*A year of goodies from Diane's Bakery-$40/month value

Sports and Performances 

*Two Premium Seat Yankee Tickets

*A round of golf for four at the Garden City Country Club

*Four Mets tickets

*Five personal trainer sessions at Thoroughfit

*Two tickets for any performance at the John W. Engeman Theater

*Venus Williams Autographed Tennis Racquet with Signed Cover

*Serena Williams Autographed Tennis Racquet with Signed Cover

Experiences 

*Rowing/Sculling Excursion for two hosted by two Benefit Committee Members: Hempstead harbor on the shore of Sands Point, breakfast on the beach 

*Lively and informative beer home-brewing seminar by Benefit Committee Member, including keg of homebrew.  Your choice of venue, dates very flexible

Wine Tasting 

Martha Clara Vineyard

*$50.00 gift certificate for the City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill

*VIP Wine Tasting Certificate for 6 at Martha Clara Vineyards

*Private winery tour & tasting for up to 6 at Waters Crest Winery

*Intimate wine tasting with Honoree Howard Glickstein

Luxury Items 

*Gucci Sunglasses

*Fresh water pearl necklaces in a hand beaded jewelry Box from Personalized Skin Care by Marcia

With many more categories, like gardening with items that range from a spreader filled with Miracle-Gro products to an hour of onsite professional landscape consultation, this year's silent auction will have something for everyone!

From growing up in New Hyde Park to living in New York City, Alexander Hu says that diversity has always been a major presence in his life and something he was brought up to deeply value.  Alexander, a first generation Chinese American, explains that his friends, teachers and mentors helped him develop an appreciation of different cultures and backgrounds.  As a young student at the Herricks district, he could not help but notice the differences among neighborhoods.  "Visiting other schools for track meets or driving across town borders was all it took for a crash course in the stark economic and racial disparities that persist on Long Island and in the United States at large," Alexander explains.

Since graduating from NYU's Stern School of Business in 2009, Alexander has launched The Human Color (www.thehumancolor.com), a social venture and brand dedicated to celebrating diversity and fighting racial injustice. The brand collaborates with artists to create products, such as clothing and poetry that reflect The Human Color- a symbol that represents the spectrum of skin color.

Alexander has been volunteering for 10 hours a week with ERASE Racism.  When asked what attracted him to ERASE Racism, he replied, "My mentors always encouraged me to think globally and act locally. So, while I maintain a broad perspective on matters of race, I was eager to learn more about how racial inequities affect my home region." Alexander says, "Volunteering for ERASE Racism has been an empowering and eye-opening experience. It has reshaped my view of the place I have called home and has informed my understanding of the obstacles that it faces."

At ERASE Racism, Alexander has been working on outreach for the education equity campaign. 

With a mission to eliminate institutional and structural racism on Long Island, there is always plenty of work to do at ERASE Racism. You can support our work by volunteering. We try to match your skills and interests with what we do.

We also offer internships for students and young adults.  Although they are usually unpaid, ERASE Racism internships are invaluable opportunities to gain non-profit and advocacy experience, strengthen research skills, and learn about project development, fundraising and new media. 

We are also interested in law student interns to assist with the housing and public school education research and analysis. 

Contact us today to become a volunteer!