Constitution & Cocktails

September 19, 2024 | 6 PM — 8:30 pm

Our annual fundraiser is back!

2024 Honoree: Hersh Parekh
Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs, The Port Authority of NY & NJ

Raise a glass to the 237th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution and support accessible educational programs that foster critical thinking and civic engagement in Queens and beyond! Sipping cocktails with us will help King Manor continue to engage and inspire over 6,000 students, their families, and 14,000 members of our community every year.

This year, we’re thrilled to host Constitution & Cocktails once again at our 19th-century historic house in Rufus King Park. The evening will include cocktails, passed hors d'oeuvres, and live music, presentations from community members, an artist talk by Cheyney McKnight and plenty of time to mingle and enjoy our period rooms and latest exhibitions!

Early Bird 2+ Ticket Special

Available only through September 1st! Must purchase at least two (2) tickets.

$100 per ticket

Regular Admission

Tickets will continue to be available online and at the door!

$120 per ticket

Sponsorship Opportunities

Promote your business all year long by supporting King Manor! Learn how.

All proceeds will go to benefit King Manor's educational programming, including school programs, family craft days, professional development for educators, community festivals, public workshops, and more.

About our Honoree

Hersh Parekh is the Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Port Authority of NY and NJ. In this executive role, he manages the Government & Community Relations department for New York. He and his team build and manage relationships with elected officials and governmental partners at the local, state, and federal level, along with business, faith, civic, education, and other community leaders and stakeholders. Together, they work to ensure there is regular engagement, open lines of communication, and ongoing partnership between many diverse and historically disadvantaged communities and some of the country’s most important transportation infrastructure facilities. Hersh also oversees the government and community relations portfolio for the agency’s largest capital projects, including the $8 billion program to build A Whole New LGA, the $19 billion program to build A New JFK, the $10 billion project to build a new Midtown Bus Terminal, and more. His work has included negotiating to help advance projects and navigating regulatory approval and permitting processes, while also prioritizing the interests of the community and mitigating project impacts. In addition, Hersh serves as an advisor to Executive Director and agency senior staff on intergovernmental issues, legislation, and policy matters.

In collaboration with colleagues across the agency, Hersh also develops strategies and leads efforts to ensure economic and educational opportunities flow to the local community. These opportunities include M/WBE and local business contracting, technical training and capacity building programs for businesses, workforce development and local hiring efforts, as well as STEM educational programming and scholarships for students. Under his leadership, the JFK Redevelopment Program set a NYS record with a historic $2.3 billion already awarded to MWBEs and nearly $1 billion already awarded to LBEs, breaking a record previously set at the LGA Redevelopment Program, also under Hersh’s leadership.
Hersh has worked in politics and government affairs for nearly 15 years. Before joining the Port Authority, Hersh spent 4½ years working for the NY Governor’s Office, first as Queens Regional Representative, and then as Director of Downstate Regional and Intergovernmental Affairs. He is a native of Queens, NY. Hersh is also an attorney admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring Constitution & Cocktails at King Manor Museum is good business!

At the $500 level or higher, your company’s name and logo will be featured on our website, flyers, social media, and monthly e-newsletters, consistently placing your brand in front of the museum’s combined in-person and online audiences of 30,000. And, because we partner with several community organizations throughout Southeast Queens, you’ll reach thousands more through King Manor’s participation in community events, fairs, and other celebrations.

Best of all, at any sponsorship level your brand will be synonymous with King Manor’s mission to teach critical thinking for a healthier democracy. With your support we are able to provide free, quality, and accessible educational programming to a low-income community, offer career training and mentorships for students and young professionals, and create an inclusive space for our diverse audiences to explore history, social justice, and civics.

We thank you for your consideration of sponsoring civic engagement and humanities education in Southeast Queens, and look forward to welcoming you to our King Manor family!