QUEENS BOROUGH HALL
By: Editor C. Harrison |Friday | February 21, 2023 |5:30 PM
New York, NY…Queens Borough President, Danovan Richards and the African American Heritage Committee, along with co-host Roslin Spigner, Mistress of Ceremony, hosted the Borough’s annual Black History Month Celebration, Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Queens Borough Hall. The annual event was non-grata for the past two years for in-person celebrations. This year, the Borough President, felt it was safe enough to hold the event again as usual in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center.
The night began with the invocation done by Pastor John Boyd, 11. The opening anthem was done by Kareem Headley, Violinist, followed by BP Richards greetings and welcome to all…clearing the way for the evening’s first award, The Borough President Award, given to Dr. David Banks, NYC Chancellor. Thereafter, a solo performance was done by the Devore Dance Center.
The enriched event was filled with gallant memories of scholarship awards given to deserving high school students in Queens, that have surpassed expectations. Awards were also given to those that served the community all their lives through fulfillments of civic duties and community services that stood out among the clutter.
Pacing accordingly, Mrs. Tameeka Richards, introduced the second segment of the evening and the scholarship winners from the various high schools in Queens. Scholarship winners were: Qeon Cayenne….Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing Arts, Andre Coley…Hillcrest High School, Olowatosin Ibidokyn… The Scholars Academy, Natalia Lashley… The Chapin school, Kaitlyn Mckenzie… Townsend Harris High School, Ashley Pelgrave… Francis Lewis high School, Denise Powell…Francis Lewis High School, Antoinette Slaughter…St Francis Preparatory, and Shinique Walker…Queens High School for Information Research & Technology.
Moreover, Business Award were given to Jeffery Hunt, founder & owner of Shotokan for Life. The coveted Civic Award went to Sakinah Black, President of the Queens County Section National council of Negro Women. The night’s Spirit Award was given to Rev. Elaine Flake, Senior Pastor of the Greater Allen AME Church. Honored with the Sport Award was Larry Woods, for Adults Recreational specialist. and Andrew P. Jackson, (Sekou Molefi Baako) received the Appreciation Award; followed by spoken word poetry and Joe the Magician. Deputy Borough President, Ebony Young, was acknowledged and applauded for her participation. Sponsors were acknowledged for their contributions, as well as all the honorees, performers and participants for their attributions.
The pack full event, catered to a festive Hall, of dignitaries, police officials, business patrons, media personals and tireless Borough Hall workers, which was treated and shared in the spirit of young dancers from all over Queens and got dazzled by a magic show that pleased everyone. Thereafter, everyone ate and networked happily. Overall, the Borough President and his workers did not disappoint constituents and the community of Queens. They left pleased with the night’s Celebration and some, even vowed to come back next year. The indication is next year could draw even more people.
