By Cathy Shelton and Sherri Donovan
Cathy and Sherri are the dynamic coordinator duo for the New York City chapter and event organizers.
Co-coordinators Cathy Shelton and Sherri Donovan welcomed over 100 members from around the world to the TCC New York Regional Meet-Up “New York Neighborhoods” from July 10–13, 2025. The program included 15 walking tours to less visited areas and was carried out with help from over 50 volunteers!
Cynthia and Richard Esposito hosted Thursday’s opening reception in their courtyard. Touring the United Nations was considered a highlight of the weekend!
During Friday’s 12-course Chinese Banquet, presentations included Sherri speaking about her six-generation family history in Brooklyn and her involvem
The walking tours included Bronx Grand Concourse and Arthur Avenue, West and East Harlem, African Arts, Lower East Side and Greenwich Village, Northern Central Park and an architectural cruise.
On Saturday afternoon, Chris Taylor, New York Chapter member and owner of Li-lac Chocolates, invited everyone to his factory in Industry City, Brooklyn, to make chocolates … sampling allowed!
Saturday evening options included the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league game in Coney Island, dinner at the 250-year-old Fraunces Tavern, Harlem Jazz Tour, Broadway musicals, and 54 Below cabaret, followed by a late-night Loft Party!
Khadija Musa and Ed Hotchkiss hosted the closing party on Sunday at their historic Harlem brownstone. Guests enjoyed a dessert reception and were treated to a performance by celebrity Senegalese musician Mamadou Yade Waflash.
Chris Hudson, the longest-serving board member, best summed up the event:
“I’ve been to a lot of TCC events over the last 30 years, but this one was absolutely unique — and unique in so many great ways. The energy that you and your volunteers brought to it was astounding, the more so because the coordination and efficiency was equally impressive. Add to that the multiple options offered (after I can only imagine what degree of planning) and therefore the very relaxed and pleasant do-as-much-or-as-little-as-you-want atmosphere, the thoughtfulness and innovation of the tours and programming, the always welcoming style, the moving presentations at the Chinese banquet, and the way your words captured the best of the TCC spirit, and I have to say that you pulled off a truly remarkable event, and the Club is all the better for what you achieved.”
