Last night, Allen Toussaint was among those honored by Young Audiences New York (YANY) at the organization’s 9th annual Children’s Arts Award Benefit. YANY recognizes those who have made contributions to the arts and advocacy for children’s arts education. Also recognized at the event at Cipriani – Wall Street were the president of Initiative America Tim Spengler, philanthropist and entrepreneur Michael Dorf, and the the president of the New York state chapter of the NAACP Hazel N. Dukes.

Previous Arts Award Honorees include entertainers Julianna Margulies, Vanessa Williams, Matthew Modine, Gregory Hines, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wynton Marsalis and Richard Thomas.