The Center for New York City Affairs (CNYCA) was founded in 1964, fourteen years before the Graduate School of Mangement and Urban Professions was established. The CNYCA is a research institute focused on New York City that sponsors reports, events, and conferences. In its early years the CNYCA also gave courses focused on New York City, often taught by practitioners in urban affairs, policy, culture, and politics. Many prominent public officials, including Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, taught courses at CNYCA. As of 2019, CNYCA continues to operate as an applied research institute, but no longer offers courses.

This series contains press releases, course catalogs, and promotional material. The bulk of this series is reports and material from events sponsored by the CNYCA from the earliest years of the Center through the early 2000s. Of note are programs, photographs, and planning materials from the annual Fiorello H. La Guardia Award Dinner. This award was given to recognize an individual's contributions to New York City. A video recording of the award dinner at which President Bill Clinton was honored is included in this series.