SAG-AFTRA Receives Top Honor from New York Urban League

SAG-AFTRA was an honoree at the 2024 Champions of Diversity Awards on March 14 in New York City. The awards, also known as “Champions 2024,” was hosted by the New York Urban League and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion efforts made by organizations and leaders to advance DEI practices into their organizational culture and society at large. Among those at the event were SAG-AFTRA broadcast members and NBC4 NY anchors Erica Byfield, who emceed the ceremony, and Checkey Beckford.

In recognition of its solidarity efforts during its TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike, SAG-AFTRA was the recipient of the Disruptors Award. SAG-AFTRA Vice President, New York and N.Y. Local President Ezra Knight accepted the award on the union’s behalf. 

In his remarks, he recounted the union’s efforts throughout the 118-day strike and the continued need for solidarity against the exploitation of workers. 

“We headed to the picket lines, rallies and press conferences to advocate for ourselves. And it was so heartening to see that our message inspired others to do the same … to push back against unfair treatment regardless of profession or workplace.

“It’s been encouraging to see public sentiment supporting the labor movement has been rising. … If left unchecked, corporate greed, paired with access to emerging technologies, will continue to wreak havoc on our communities by increasing inequity, reducing wages, eliminating jobs and sending the cost of living skyrocketing. Things won’t suddenly start getting better without a fight. 
The solution to corporate greed is all of us,” said Knight. 

The New York Urban League is among the largest and oldest civil rights organizations, with over a century of service empowering underserved communities. The New York Urban League’s role is to strengthen underserved communities, ensuring everybody has a seat at the table.