NEW YORK - On Monday, September 21, Alan Steel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, will receive the 2021 Sing for Hope Art for All Award. The award will be presented to Mr. Steel by Sing for Hope Co-Founders Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora at the Nest Summit at the Javits Center during Climate Week. Mr. Steel’s award will be highlighted by a brief musical tribute performed by Ms. Yunus and Ms. Zamora, together with Sing for Hope Project Leader Victoria Paterson and a chamber ensemble.

Each year, Sing for Hope chooses to honor several "world-changers" who have made important contributions to our country’s arts, philanthropy, and cultural scene. This year, the Board of Directors of Sing for Hope unanimously decided to award Mr. Steel with a 2021 Sing for Hope Art for All Award for his inspiring work and game-changing contributions to our local and global communities. 

Mr. Steel’s sterling leadership of the country’s largest event space has been characterized by a vision for sustainability and community. Among the highlights of his leadership is Javits’ new “farm in the sky” located on the roof of the center’s new wing on West 40th Street, part of New York’s $100B statewide infrastructure plan and emblematic of his focus on environmentally friendly innovation at this center. His vision extends to the arts, about which he feels passionate. During the pandemic, thanks to Mr. Steel’s advocacy and cornerstone underwriting provided by CC Capital, Sing for Hope became one of the most significant employers of freelance professional musicians in New York City, providing 125 days of consecutive live musical programming at Javits Vaccination Center. The Sing for Hope musical vaccination program at Javits reached an estimated 270,000 community members comprised of vaccine recipients, medical staff, Javits staff, and National Guard. 

Mr. Steel joins a remarkable group of luminaries who have received the Sing for Hope Art for All Award in past years, including Tony Bennett, Renée Fleming, Jane Fonda, Kevin and Marina Krim, Reynold Levy, Joseph Polisi, Hamdi Ulukaya, Muhammad Yunus, Francesca Zambello, and Ann Ziff. The other two cultural leaders to receive Sing for Hope Art for All Awards this year are renowned actress and activist Monique Coleman (awarded on August 5 at The Wallis Annenberg Center For the performing arts in Beverly Hills) and Daphne Rubin-Vega (to be awarded on September 28 at Fosun’s Liberty Plaza in Lower Manhattan).