Celebrating Achievement

Annual Spring Benefit

Each year CDI supporters, Scholars, alumni, partners, and staff come together to celebrate the achievements of the students we serve and raise money to provide ongoing support for our programs and services, while honoring an individual who embodies the principles upon which the organization was founded.

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Marks Medal

The Marks Medal for Academic Excellence and Career Achievement was introduced in 2018 in honor of CDI founders Nina and Jonathan Marks whose trailblazing leadership in education has become a beacon of excellence and whose legacy will live on through the lives of our Scholars. Each year the award is presented to honor an individual who has used education as a transformative tool to change their circumstances and fulfill their potential.

Marks Medal Awardees

2025

Founders Nina & Jonathan Marks with Marks Medal Recipient Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley of Alfred Street Baptist Church.

2025 Benefit Sponsors

CDI Alumni

CDI Staff

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

The 2020 Spring Benefit was cancelled due to COVID restrictions. We are grateful to 2020 Marks Medal recipient, Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., for allowing us to celebrate him through this video.

2019

2018