2007 Liff Spirit Award Honoree
Diddy Cullinane
Founder, Black and White Boston
Diddy Cullinane is a woman of conscience who has worked with tenacity and grace to promote the civic good in the greater metropolitan area. In 1989 she founded “Black and White Boston Coming Together” with the hope of improving the city’s racial climate and expanding minority business opportunities in urban neighborhoods.
For the past 18 years, Diddy has been a bridge builder who has brought together a cross section of professionals from the public and private sectors on a range of initiatives in a variety of settings, including the annual Black and White on Green Golf Tournament in Franklin Park. She collaborated personally with Justine Mee Liff on the golf tournament that raises funds for the Caddie Scholar program.
Diddy has given tirelessly to a range of not-for-profit organizations. Her efforts to make common ground in Boston for people of all races reflects Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of how the parks he designed in the Emerald Necklace, and across the country, could serve the nation’s democratic ideals.
Past Recipients
2020
Kathy Abbott
President and CEO, Boston Harbor Now
2019
Kathryn Ott Lovell
Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
2018
Kelsey Wirth
Founder, Mothers Out Front
2017
Whitney Hatch
Chairman, DCR Stewardship Council
2016
Ropes & Gray
Celebrating 150 Year Anniversary
2015
Mark Volpe
Managing Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra
2014
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers
Founder, Central Park Conservancy
2013
Thomas M. and Angela Menino
Mayor and First Lady, City of Boston
2012
Malcolm Rogers
Ann and Graham Gund Director,
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
2011
Valerie Burns
President, Boston Natural Areas Network
2010
Charles Ansbacher
Conductor and Founder,
Boston Landmark Orchestra
2009
Michael and Kitty Dukakis
Former Governor and First Lady,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
2008
Joan and Ted Cutler
Philanthropists
2007
Agnes “Diddy” Cullinane
Founder, Black and White Boston
2006
Henry Lee
Founder, Friends of the Public Garden
2005
Eugenie Beal
Founding Chair, Boston Conservation Commission
Founding Member, Emerald Necklace Conservancy
Norman Leventhal
Founder, The Beacon Companies