On April 22, 2025, the T. Howard Foundation hosted its 32nd Annual Awards Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The event celebrated leaders and organizations committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in media, entertainment, and technology.
The evening recognized outstanding individuals and their contributions:
Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), received the Executive Trailblazer Award.
Rita Ferro, President of Global Advertising at The Walt Disney Company, was honored with the Executive Leadership Award.
Craig Melvin, Co-Anchor of NBC’s “Today” and Co-Host of the 3rd Hour of “Today,” received the Inaugural Spotlight Award.
Miguel “Mike” Roggero, Chairman & CEO of Fuse Media, was presented with the Corporate Leadership Award.
R. Thomas Umstead, Senior Content Producer at Multichannel News/Broadcasting & Cable, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
These honorees exemplify the Foundation’s mission to increase representation and inclusion across the media, entertainment, and tech industries.
The dinner brought together industry professionals, alumni, and supporters to celebrate achievements and reaffirm the commitment to opening doors and creating pathways to opportunity. The Foundation extends its gratitude to all attendees and supporters who made the evening memorable.