The Prudential Foundation, the grant making arm of Prudential Financial, Inc., is a leader in the effort to give underserved communities access to arts education, through which a viable vehicle to enhance their lives and positively impact their communities. Prudential has been a generous supporter of JHK for five years, enabling us to work with over 6500 young people in Newark.

The students impacted by the Prudential Foundation are completing their high school education, gaining job skills training in a high-demand field, participating in rebuilding their communities, and obtaining counseling from respected adult mentors and support from a positive peer group. Partner of Distinction Award for Five Years of Dedicated Support.

It is our privilege to honor the Prudential Foundation by presenting Vice President Lata Reddy with the Partner of Distinction Award.

Jackie McLean was an internationally known jazz alto saxophonist, composer, and educator whose life and career had a positive impact on countless city youngsters and numerous protégés. Mr. McLean's jazz reputation was based on his distinctive, brilliant, emotionally moving alto saxophone playing and creative composing. A pioneer in bringing academic recognition to jazz, Mr. McLean established the degreed jazz studies program at the University of Hartford's Hartt School and founded the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. Mr. McLean and his wife, Dolly, founded the innovative and nationally recognized Artists Collective, an African American cultural and teaching center giving thousands of youngsters the opportunity to learn about arts and culture, whether in dance or music. Teaching, recording or performing, Jackie McLean's music and spirit filled his audience with compassion and passion.

It is our privilege to honor the legacy of Mr. McLean by presenting his family, Dollie and Melonae McLean with the Jazz House Kids Legacy Award.

The late Peter Jennings was one of the best friends the jazz world has ever known. The legendary ABC news anchor was a fixture at many jazz clubs and concerts throughout New York City and made no secret of his love for jazz and had many close relationships with many jazz musicians. For many years, Mr. Jennings and his lovely wife, Kayce, hosted an event at their Bridgehampton, NY home called, "Jazz for Jennings" which raised money annually for the Bridgehampton Child Care Center, of which he was a board member. Each year, the event would feature the likes of Clark Terry, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Heath, Roy Haynes, Renee Rosnes, Christian McBride, Kenny Barron, Curtis Fuller, and the late Jackie McLean. Mr. Jennings also served as Gala Chair for the Veritas "Friends of Charlie Parker" extravaganza, of which he so selflessly gave his support for many years. Mr. Jennings was quoted as saying, "Of all the musicians I know, of all the actors I've ever met, of all the people in TV, nobody gives more - willingly, just out of the goodness of their hearts - than jazz musicians." And no one gave to the jazz community more willingly, out of the goodness of his heart, than Peter Jennings.

It is our privilege to honor Mr. Jennings by presenting his wife Kayce Freed Jennings and daughter Elizabeth Jennings, with the Jazz House Kids Spirit of Jazz Award.

It is our privilege to honor Ms. Marion A. Bolden and Mr. William May of the Newark Public Schools. Because of their leadership, dedication, and partnership, over 6500 children in the Newark Public Schools have participated in multiple Jazz House Kids music enrichment programs.