NYN News Desk:
The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) celebrated the completion of its 2025-2026 Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy with a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, recognizing a diverse class of faith and civic leaders who completed the program’s nine-month fellowship. The event honored participants for their commitment to interfaith dialogue, civic engagement, and community leadership across New York City.
The graduation program opened with a prayer led by Dubbs Weinblatt of Judaism That Stands for All, followed by welcome remarks from Ruth Messinger, representing Judaism That Stands for All and ICNY, and Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York. The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates by Dr. Henry Goldschmidt and Danielle Williams of ICNY, reflections from several graduating fellows, and concluded with a closing prayer delivered by Imam Muhammad Shahidullah of Dawah USA Mosque and Save the People USA (STPUSA).
The keynote address was delivered by Pastor Gilford Monrose, Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day and National Convener of Clergy for Safe Cities. Throughout his career, Monrose has served as Executive Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships and as a faith advisor to city leadership. He has also been active in numerous community initiatives, including founding the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, known as “The God Squad,” which works to reduce gun violence while strengthening relationships among law enforcement, clergy, and neighborhood residents. His career has focused on faith-based leadership, youth development, violence prevention, and civic collaboration.
The graduating class included faith leaders and community representatives from a wide range of religious traditions. Among them was Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, CEO of Save the People USA (STPUSA), whose completion of the fellowship reflected his continued commitment to interfaith cooperation and community service. The class also included leaders representing churches, mosques, temples, nonprofit organizations, and other civic institutions throughout New York.
The Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy is designed to strengthen relationships among faith communities while equipping participants with practical leadership skills and opportunities for collaboration. Over the course of nine months, fellows engaged in learning, dialogue, and community-based projects aimed at addressing challenges facing neighborhoods across the city.
By recognizing the accomplishments of its newest graduates, ICNY reaffirmed the importance of building partnerships across faith traditions to strengthen civic life. The ceremony celebrated not only the completion of a fellowship, but also the beginning of continued collaboration among leaders dedicated to serving their communities through dialogue, understanding, and public engagement.
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