Dr. Ralph W. Shrader Receives 2003 Emergence Award from Dance Theatre of Harlem

Ralph Shrader, Chairman and CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton, was recognized as one of America's leading proponents of opportunities for minorities, women, children, and the disabled as a co-recipient of the 2003 Emergence Award from Dance Theatre of Harlem. The Honorable Clifford Alexander, Jr., Chairman of Moody's Corporation, was also a co-recipient. The awards were presented at the Dance Theatre's "Classically American" Spring Gala fundraiser, held on March 27, 2003, at New York City's Plaza Hotel.

In presenting the award, Dance Theatre's founder and artistic director Arthur Mitchell described Shrader as a "champion of the organization's vision of providing opportunities for every child who wants to succeed," and commended his leadership in seeking equality for all individuals both in business and the world at large.

Ralph Shrader

Ralph Shrader spoke of his first encounter with the Dance Theatre and Arthur Mitchell as a spellbinding experience. He said, "Arthur's passion for perfection — and the impact he's having on these dancers — is something all of us can see. It's why we're here supporting the Dance Theatre."

Past recipients of this prestigious award have included Edgar Bronfman Jr., Lena Horne, Jessye Norman, and the Robert Wood Johnson family, among others.

The Spring Gala, the first Dance Theatre of Harlem has held since 1996, is the key fundraising event for the year. According to Reggie Van Lee, Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Booz Allen Senior Vice President, the event was an unequivocal success, raising $500,000 towards operating costs for the organization.

Non-profit organizations, especially those representing the arts, have been hard hit by the recession and by post-9/11 shifts in sponsor and audience support. This is most unfortunate because, as Mitchell said, "The arts provide a healing balance for us in troubled times."

story posted March 31, 2003