(July 9, 2009, New York, NY) – Moët Hennessy USA will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Centennial Award during their 100th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 in the Mercury Ballroom of the New York Hilton Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The NAACP is paying tribute to Moët Hennessy USA for being one of the first corporate supporters when it was founded 100 years ago. Formerly Schieffelin & Co., Moët Hennessy USA is perhaps the only company that can date its support of African American causes to 1896. In that year, William Jay Schieffelin, the seventh generation founder of the company, joined the board of what was then Tuskegee Institute and helped attract support from wealthy northern industrialists, which helped transform Tuskegee into the world class university it is today.
“William Jay Schieffelin was a man of principle who stood up for what he believed was right. He fought the injustices of racial discrimination and was strong and brave enough to do so at a time when it was highly unpopular” says Mark Cornell, President of Moët Hennessy USA. “As a member and activist of the NAACP since 1909, he set an example for each of us to follow. His incredible commitment to human rights and strong belief in education remains deeply rooted in our company to this day. Moët Hennessy USA has continued his legacy by supporting a number of educational institutions including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Jackie Robinson Foundation, Medgar Evers College, York College and the Urban League, to name a few. We are pleased to join in the celebration of the NAACP’s 100th anniversary and honored to receive their Chairman’s Centennial Award.”
The Chairman’s Centennial Award will be presented to Moët Hennessy USA during the organization’s convention at a private dinner for the Board of Directors, Officers, Leadership Council members, and Trustees of the Special Contributions Fund.