It cannot be overstated just how important The New York Black Car Fund (BCF) has been for the drivers in our industry. In addition to the workers’ compensation insurance they provide to tens of thousands of drivers – with no out-of-pocket costs from the drivers themselves – their ongoing efforts to offer additional health-related benefits, safety and wellness education, and other protections that aren’t offered anywhere else in the country to for-hire, gig-economy drivers – have brought the organization literally dozens of accolades from various media outlets, industry groups and now, international regulators.
It seems like the BCF and their executive director, Ira Goldstein, are recognized almost every month for one reason or another, but Mr. Goldstein was particularly proud that his organization was named among “The 2025 Top Workplaces” by City & State New York in October.
“What makes The Black Car Fund a special place to work is the culture we have built here, rooted in inclusivity, collaboration and connection,” explains Goldstein. “Over the past 25 years, we have worked to cultivate a workplace where staff are encouraged to grow professionally and personally, whether through training programs or through in-office collaborations. The BCF isn’t just a workplace; we are a community where individual voices matter and people are set up to succeed and thrive.”
City & State New York has recognized Mr. Goldstein and the BCF multiple times in recent years. They were named on lists like the Transportation Power 100 (in 2022 and 2023), Trailblazers in Transportation (2025), Responsible 100 Alumni (2024), 50 Over 50: Distinguished Accomplishment in Civic Affairs (2017), 50 Over 50 Alumni (2025), Who’s Who in Insurance (2025), Above & Beyond Innovators (2022) and Nonprofit Trailblazers (2024). The BCF also received the Corporate, Social Responsibility Award in Banking, Finance & Insurance in 2016.
Schneps Media (amNY) put them on the Queens Power 100 list (in 2023, 2024 and 2025) and the Power Players in Transportation list (in 2024 and 2025).
During his lengthy career, dating back to when he was Chief of Staff at the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), Mr. Goldstein has also received the following awards and honors:
- NYC Department of Information, Technology & Telecommunication: Demonstrated Excellence in Project Management (2007)
- Simon Wiesenthal Center: Honoree Heros of Tolerance Award (2016)
- League of Mutual Taxi Owners Man of the Year (2012)
- New York State Broadcasters Association: Recognition of Outstanding Community Service (2010)
- Certificate of Recognition and Letter of Appreciation: Federal Bureau of Investigation (2009)
- Letter of Appreciation: U.S. Secret Service (2010)
- The Transportation Alliance’s “Advocate of the Year” (2024)
- The Transportation Alliance’s “Executive of the Year” (2020)
In late September, I attended the 38th annual conference of the International Association of Transportation Regulators(IATR) in Nashville, where it quickly became clear the BCF is not just recognized locally for their efforts. Regulators from around the world hailed their progress on worker protections and in several instances, the BCF were referenced as “solutions to some of the industry’s most persistent issues” – including the insurance crisis and the financial and physical health of gig-economy drivers.
The BCF was called “an excellent business model that should be in cities around the world,” and I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I look forward to attending their next BCF Resource Fair on November 17, at their Driver Education Center at 37-10 Skillman Avenue in Long Island City. For more information, email com@nybcf.org. I hope to see you there!
