The ceremony, hosted by Bronx native, museum board member, and host of The View, Sunny Hostin, celebrated the contributions of Bronx innovators from across generations and sectors who support the institution, and are committed to inspiring children and their families. Ground-breaking Hollywood icon and EGOT recipient, Rita Moreno, delighted guests with a personal story of her arrival in the Bronx as a young child from Puerto Rico, and encouraged those in the audience to dream big.

Attendees included Bronx-natives, Gala Co-Chair Member, Kerry Washington, returning for a third year to showcase her support for the museum’s mission, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“Museums were a huge part of my upbringing but I always had to go outside of my neighborhood to be enriched in this way. I am truly humbled by the possibilities of what will come out of this beautiful museum. By supporting the museum, you are not just supporting a building, you are supporting the inner self-worth of an entire borough of children,” remarked Washington.

The Borough President introduced the Bronx-born, Roc Nation Executive and Hip-hop community leader Shawn “Pecas” Costner to the stage, presenting him with one of the three 2019 Bronx Children’s Museum Imagination Awards given out that evening.

“I am so proud of the work being done by Bronx Children’s Museum. We believe in this vision because we know what happens when you give a Bronx girl or a Bronx boy an opportunity. It allows them to dream, to expand their imagination. Shawn Costner is a reminder, talent is abundant – but opportunities are not – yet with our Bronx DNA, they can go out there and conquer the world,” added Diaz.

Costner is an influencer of global trends and has enhanced the career trajectories of megawatt artists like Jay Z, Rihanna, DJ Khaled and athletes like Yankee pitcher, CC Sabathia.

For more information about the Bronx Children’s Museum programming, “Museum on the Go” Bus activities and its landmark brick and mortar facility opening visit www.BronxChildrensMuseum.org. Follow the inspiration on social with the hashtag #BronxGrown, @BxChildMuseum on Twitter and @BronxChildrensMuseum on Facebook and Instagram.

About the Bronx Children’s Museum
Founded in 2005, Bronx Children’s Museum is the borough’s only cultural and educational children’s museum designed to inspire children and families to learn about themselves and the diversity and richness of their surroundings, as well as the world beyond. In 2020, the Museum will launch its new flagship facility in a New York City Parks owned building near Yankee Stadium. Currently, a “museum without walls,” Bronx Children’s Museum serves almost 18,000 Bronx residents annually. Through innovative mobile programming, Bronx Children’s Museum engages children and adults in the arts and sciences using its iconic bus as a roving learning environment providing access to children throughout the Bronx wherever they may be. The Museum also has temporary exhibits and ongoing afterschool and summer programming throughout the borough at community-based organizations, schools, shelters, libraries, local festivals, and parks.