Today Show co-host Natalie Morales was among the honorees at Thursday’s Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) 7th Annual Leadership Gala.
CUP is an organization that was founded to help connect and empower the next generation of diverse leaders.
Morales was one of three honorees of the evening, receiving the Breakthrough Leadership Award. Friend and fellow Today co-host, Savannah Guthrie presented to Morales.
“I’m so proud,” Guthrie told theGrio. “I’ve just been waiting for an opportunity to sing Natalie’s praises.”
Gregory Fleming, President of Wealth Management and Investment Management at Morgan Stanley, was the recipient of the New York City Vision Leadership Award, and Kim Strong, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Target, accepted an award on behalf of Target for the Corporate Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award.
Among the high profile attendees was New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. The recently elected official expressed to theGrio how important diversity among leaders is.
Stringer said he feels the CUP Leadership Gala “sends a very strong message that our city is open for business for people of all different backgrounds, all walks of life.”
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.