NYTS holds "Urban Angels" Award Gala

The New York Theological Seminary held its Fourth Annual "Urban Angels" Awards Night at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan last night.

The seminary honored the Rev. Dr. Arthur Caliandro, senior minister of the Marble Collegiate Church, New York City. The Rev. Dr. Caliandro succeeded the celebrated Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale at that post in 1984. The Rev. Dr. James Forbes was also honored. He is the senior minister of The Riverside Church, in Manhattan. Newsweek had recognized the Rev. Dr. Forbes as "one of the most effective preachers in the English speaking world." Business philanthropists Ms. Ester Pacheco, Ms. Noris Cruz, Mr. Gumercindo Cruz and Mr. Vincente Sirias were also honored. The own Quesos La Ricura, a nationwide company since 1990. The founder and chairman of the East Gospel Mission, Inc., Ezra Leadership Institute, Ezra International Inc. and New Vision Equities., Inc., Elder Byung Ik Lee and his wife, Mrs. Hong Eun Lee, were both honored. In addition, Evangelist Mary Ida Vandross was honored. She is the mother of the late popular recording artist Luther Vandross. She is a graduate of the New York Theological Seminary.

The highlight of the evening was, undoubtedly, when Miss Patti LaBelle presented the Rev. Vandross with her Urban Angel Award, it was both moving and inspiring.