The National Urban Technology Center (Urban Tech) honored outstanding community leaders Dr. Mehmet Oz and Stephen C. Byrd at the 2008 Urban Tech fundraising gala. The event was held on Wednesday, June 4th at Capitale.
"We are proud to honor Dr. Oz and Stephen Byrd for their work to improve communities and inspire young people across the United States," said Patricia Bransford, Founder and President of Urban Tech. "These amazing individuals help young students recognize that with education, all is possible and that they too can make a difference in their communities, the nation and the world," she adds. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a world-renowned heart surgeon, is best known for his contributions to the "Oprah Winfrey Show," Discovery Health, and CNN. He is a practicing Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Columbia University, performing over 100 operations per year and has written over 350 publications. His dedication to the medical field has expanded from hospitals into disadvantaged communities, teaching youth how to apply healthy living choices and demonstrating the importance of nutrition and exercise. Stephen C. Byrd is the producer of the first all-African American production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." With a background in investment banking, Mr. Byrd has over 27 years of experience on Wall Street. The sensational two month run of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," starring James Earl Jones and Terrence Howard, has garnered sold-out audiences and rave reviews causing Mr. Byrd to make future stage plans for a multiracial version of "A Streetcar Named Desire."Videos