The second annual City Visionary Awards took place on November 13, 2024, honoring four awardees for their efforts to make New York City a more equitable, sustainable, and joyful place. The iconic facade of ASPIRE at One World Observatory, where the awards were hosted, was lit up with the New School logo—a gift from L+R Design and Technology Studio, which was co-founded by two alumni who met at the university.
The night was made possible by major support from donors, including Susan L. Foote and Stephen Feinberg, the Tishman Family, the Northlight Foundation, AECOM Tishman, the Dobkin Family Foundation, East End Advisors LLC, Terence and Montie Meehan, and Soulidifly. A total of nearly $350,000 was raised from event attendees and sponsors in scholarships for New School students. This year's awardees were BK Fulton, MS Urban Policy Analysis and Management ’91, former president of Verizon, producer and filmmaker, and four-time Tony Award winner; Daniel R. Tishman, chairman of Tishman Realty & Construction Co., Inc.; Susan L. Foote, trustee of The New School and chair of the Board of Governors of The New School for Social Research; and Wes Jackson, MA Media Studies ’13, president of BRIC Arts & Media.
"City Visionary Awards reflect our shared commitment to promote innovation, inclusivity, and the transformative power of knowledge," said Joel Towers, president of The New School. “The New School is uniquely positioned to tackle the most pressing
challenges of our time through groundbreaking education, research, scholarship, and creative practice, and these honorees embody the leadership and vision that inspire our next generation of leaders.”
On May 21, The New School honored visionary figures in fashion, business, design, and philanthropy whose values align with the university’s commitment to creativity, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Our 2024 honorees were Thom Browne, founder and chief creative officer of Thom Brown, Inc.; Bethann Hardison, fashion advocate, documentarian, and luxury brand Consultant; and Libby Wadle, CEO of the J.Crew Group.
"Parsons was founded upon the idea that great design can positively change the world, and these innovative honorees are a testament to that bold idea," said Yvonne Watson, interim executive dean of The New School’s Parsons School of Design.
The benefit included a runway presentation of work by students in the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons. It raised more than $700,000 to fund students pursuing studies in art, design, liberal arts, music, technology, and social innovation at Parsons School of Design.
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