Susan L. Taylor Becomes 2019 Crystal Stair Award Recipient at NCNW’s Uncommon Height Gala
Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, November 20, 2019 National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) members, corporate partners and Washington D.C. dignitaries came out to the Washington Hilton for the 2019 Uncommon Height Gala. This year’s recipient of the “Crystal Stair” award was presented to none other than media icon Susan L. Taylor.
The Crystal Stair Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a lifetime devoted to freedom and the pursuit of excellence. The award is a tribute to the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, former chair of NCNW, described as “the ability to extend far above and beyond oneself to achieve greatness.”
Singer and song writing veteran Kenny Lattimore showed the captive audience a different side of his talent as the evening’s host. Celebrity performance was given by recording and Broadway star Deborah Cox. Cox brought the audience to their feet with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” which she recorded for the biopic. Of course, her own hit “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here,” pleased the crowd too. As a tribute performance, Nigerian opera singer Abiodun Koya performed a medley of tunes and touched the hearts of all who attended.
2019 Gala chair, the Honorable Alexis Herman, felt the evening was a success. She stated, “I would like to give thanks to the many friends and supporters here tonight that make the gala and the mission of the NCNW possible.” Ms. Sandra Phillips Rogers, who represented premiere sponsor Toyota Motor North America, was honored to be a part of a legacy of forward thinking women who make history with their mission of unity, community, and self-reliance.
The evening’s highlight was the presentation and acceptance of the Crystal Stair Award. Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole called Susan L. Taylor her sister because of the friendship based on love and respect they have created through the years. Dr. Cole went on to commend her for the National Cares Mentoring Program which has become Taylor’s main focus after leaving Essence. After they embraced and took pictures with the award, Taylor would not let Cole leave the stage as she reminisced about being part of an earlier Uncommon Height Gala. “I was the host and I was up here with Oprah Winfrey,” she said. “We did something like a roll call of all the people in the room and before we were done, we raised a little more than two million dollars which allowed NCNW to burn the mortgage on 633 Pennsylvania Avenue.” The building now known as the Dorothy I. Height Building was wholly owned by NCNW after that night. She concluded with “I am humbled and grateful for being a part of that night as I am to be a part of tonight.”