Mayor Adams Awards Key to the City of New York to Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Gala Honorees Darren Walker, Marc Morial, and Michelle Miller

November 18, 2024

Gala Honors Walker, Morial, and Miller for Decades of  Work on Social Justice, Philanthropy, and Human Rights 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today awarded a Key to the City of New York to Gracie Mansion Annual Conservancy Gala honorees Darren Walker, Marc Morial, and Michelle Miller. Walker currently serves as president at the Ford Foundation, Morial is the president of the National Urban League, and Miller co-hosts CBS Saturday Morning and has additionally provided decades of volunteer work in philanthropy. The honorees received their respective Keys to the City for their decades of work toward social justice, human rights, and philanthropic support for marginalized communities.  

“Our administration has made it a priority to welcome New Yorkers from every community to Gracie Mansion, and to celebrate the diversity that defines our city across the globe,” said Mayor Adams. “Our city is a home for all New Yorkers and its history, including Black History, and tonight’s honorees are an impressive addition to our story. Marc Morial, Michelle Miller, and Darren Walker have transformed this city with their vision and advocacy and defined what Black excellence means for a new generation, and I am honored to present them with the Key to the City of New York for all their contributions to our city.” 

“New York City has long been a destination for people from all over the world who strive to reimagine what’s possible and realize their dreams, including me,” said Darren Walker, president, Ford Foundation. “I have the privilege to call this world-class city home, and to lead one of the many great New York-based institutions that support the vibrant arts, culture, and economy that New York has to offer. But, most importantly, I have the privilege to work in support of the New Yorkers who will always be the crown jewel of this city. I thank the City of New York for this recognition and honor.”  

"I am honored to receive the Key to the City of New York and see the recognition as a celebration of the tireless work of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing social justice, equality, and opportunity in this great city,” said Marc Morial, CEO, National Urban League. “Thank you to Mayor Adams for taking the time to recognize this important work and for helping us all tackle the tough challenges facing our communities — whether it's addressing disparities in education, economic mobility, or other persistent challenges. This key is a reminder that our collective work to deliver for New Yorkers is never finished, but is a powerful symbol that when we come together, we can unlock the doors to a better, more equitable future for all." 

"I am humbled to receive the Key to the City of New York and accept it standing on the shoulders of the generations of journalists, philanthropists, and public servants who continue to contribute to our great city,” Michelle Miller, co-host, CBS Saturday Morning. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the boards of the School of American Ballet and Education Africa, where I’ve seen firsthand the power of education and the arts to transform lives. I am also thankful for the chance to volunteer alongside dedicated individuals in public schools across Harlem and Brooklyn, where I work to uplift and empower our next generation of leaders. I am grateful to Mayor Adams for this meaningful honor, and I pledge to continue doing everything I can to serve the people of New York City.”  

About Darren Walker 

Darren Walker is president of the Ford Foundation, a $16 billion international social justice philanthropy. Under his leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first non-profit in U.S. history to issue a $1 billion designated social bond to stabilize non-profit organizations in the wake of COVID-19. Before joining Ford, Walker was vice president at the Rockefeller Foundation. Previously, he was the chief operating officer of Harlem’s Abyssinian Development Corporation. Walker co-founded both the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance and the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. In 2022, he was awarded France’s highest cultural honor, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, for leadership in the arts. In 2023, he was also appointed by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to the Order of the British Empire for services to U.K./U.S. relations. He serves on many boards, including the National Gallery of Art, Carnegie Hall, the High Line, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Ralph Lauren, Bloomberg Inc., and PepsiCo. In 2024, President Joe Biden awarded Walker the National Humanities Medal, which honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s engagement with the arts and humanities. 

About Marc Morial 

Marc Morial is a distinguished leader and advocate known for his commitment to social justice and urban development. Born in New Orleans, Morial served as the Crescent City’s mayor from 1994 to 2002, where he implemented policies that revitalized the city and enhanced the quality of life for its residents. Currently, Morial serves as president and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. In his tenure, Morial has championed economic empowerment and equality, advocating for marginalized communities across the nation. Morial’s career is marked by numerous accolades, including one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by Ebony Magazine, one of the top 50 Non-Profit Leaders by the Non-Profit Times, one of the 100 Most Influential Black Lawyers in America, and he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. 

About Michelle Miller 

Michelle Miller is an award-winning national correspondent, New York Times bestselling author, and co-host of “CBS Saturday Morning,” renowned for her dedication to journalism. In addition to her co-hosting and reporting duties, Miller is a board member for the School of American Ballet and Education Africa and has served on the March of Dimes National Communications Advisory Council and Links, Inc. National Communication Committee. She is a member of the Greater New York Chapter of the Links, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, and National Association of Black Journalists. Miller believes in paying it forward. She volunteers around New York City with various public schools in Harlem and Brooklyn. She also has worked with a domestic violence shelter in Harlem and serves as a mentor to many in the journalism field. Since joining CBS News in 2004, she has covered major stories including Hurricane Katrina, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Charleston church shooting, and the 2020 presidential election. Miller's reporting has earned her prestigious journalism awards, including an Emmy for her series of reports on the National Guard's Youth Challenge Academy, an Edward R. Murrow for her coverage of a daycare center stand-off in New Orleans, and she was part of the Alfred I. duPont – Columbia Award winning team for coverage of the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting. Her career in broadcast and print journalism includes work at the Los Angeles Times, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, and ABC News’ "Nightline" in Washington, D.C, to name a few.  

The Key to the City of New York was first awarded in 1702 by New York City Mayor Phillip French, when he offered "Freedom of the City" to Viscount Edward Cornbury, governor of New York and New Jersey. By the mid-1800s, it became customary to award the Key to the City of New York as a direct symbol of the city's wish that a guest feel free to come and go at will. Today, the Key to the City of New York is a beloved symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement.  

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