Olympic ice dance champs Davis/White to be honoured

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Olympic ice dance champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White will be honoured in April by Figure Skating in Harlem.

Also recognized by the inner city skating organization will be actress Cicely Tyson.

Davis-White, who won gold at the 2014 Sochi Games, will be hailed for their long-term service to figure skating. Tyson will be honoured for her role as an activist.

“We are thrilled to honour Meryl and Charlie not only for their extraordinary accomplishments as Olympic ice dance champions, but also for championing the cause of girls we serve, and believing in their potential, dreams and greater opportunities,” said Sharon Cohen, founder and chief executive officer of Figure Skating in Harlem. “Cicely Tyson is from Harlem and became a ground-breaking renowned actress. It is a privilege to honour her and show our students where hard work and tenacity can lead.”

A benefit dinner will be held April 11 featuring Scott Hamilton and wife Tracie, and Michelle Kwan as honorary chairs. Singer Mary Wilson of The Supremes will again host the event.

Other skaters scheduled to celebrate Figure Skating in Harlem’s education, health, and leadership programs for underserved girls will be Olympic champions Evan Lysacek and Sarah Hughes, plus Sasha Cohen, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, Paul Wylie, Tim Goebel, JoJo Starbuck, and 2016 U.S. champions Maia and Alex Shibutani (ice dance), and Adam Rippon.

Now in its 19th year, FSH is the first organization in the country that combines the power of education with the grace and discipline of figure skating for underserved girls. Recent graduates of the program have gone on to Brown University, Boston College, Howard University and many others.

Proceeds from this year’s gala will help launch other new programs and fuel a plan for expansion beyond New York. With the help of Davis and White, FSH’s expansion to Detroit is currently under way.