HACE Foundation to Celebrate Women’s Achievements, Award Scholarships

By Isiah Hall , National Urban League
Published 10 AM EDT, Tue Oct 14, 2025
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Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) Foundation will host its third annual gala, “Year of the Woman: Unmasking Her Power,” on May 30 at the Newark Museum of Art. The event, with a Mardi Gras theme, will recognize four women for their contributions to their communities and raise funds for scholarships benefiting Elizabeth residents pursuing higher education. 

This year’s honorees are: 

  • Crystal Orr, President and CEO of the Urban League of Union County (Urban Changemaker Award) 
  • Cristina Pinzon, president and CEO of Stateside Affairs (Brand Amplifier Award) 
  • Iliana Chevres, site director at Prevention Links, Elizabethport Community Center, and Elizabeth Board of Education member (Community Champion Award) 
  • Natasha Davis, founder of the BLOC Society and nonprofit Someone’s Daughter (Construction Trailblazer Award) 

The gala serves as a primary fundraiser for the HACE Foundation’s programs, including a college readiness initiative, college tours, and six $2,000 scholarships. Previous scholarship recipients have attended schools such as Morgan State University, Clark Atlanta University, and American International College.  

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