BLACK HISTORY MONTH
‘Black history is Queens history’
Borough president’s virtual Black History Month celebration to recognize contributions of Black community
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 26-MARCH 4, 2021 15
BY BILL PARRY
New York State Attorney General Letitia James
will be featured as the keynote speaker during
Borough Hall’s annual Black History Month celebration.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
and the African American Heritage Committee
announced the event, honoring the countless contributions
of the Black community to the growth
and future of the borough, will be held virtually
on Thursday, Feb. 25.
“Black history is Queens history,” Richards
said. “This Black History Month, we are beyond
proud to not only celebrate our heritage as Black
New Yorkers, but honor some of the most selfless
and influential members of the Black community
serving our families in Queens and beyond.”
The virtual celebration will include community
discussions and the presentation of awards to
five exemplary community leaders including the
following:
• Joe’s Academy of Music President and CEO
Joander Headley, who will receive the Arts &
Culture Award;
• NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Growth Officer
Christopher Roker, who will be honored with the
Business Award;
• SCO Family of Services President and CEO Keith
M. Little, who will take home the Community
Service Award;
• Longtime community leader Adoa Esinam Gzifa,
who will receive the Civic Award;
• Larry Woods, commissioner of the New York and
New Jersey Senior Citizens League, who will be
honored with the Sports Award.
Richards and the African American Heritage
Committee will also award scholarships worth
$1,000 each to six distinguished Queens high
school students from across the borough to help
cover expenses related to their post-secondary
studies.
“From the devastating impact of COVID-19 on
communities of color to the long-overdue national
reckoning with systemic injustice, this past year
has been unspeakably trying for the Black community
— highlighting the importance of this
month’s commemoration,” Richards said. “As the
first Black man to hold this office, it is my honor to
bring together families from across our borough
to uplift both out Black history and future.”
The Black History Month event will be held online
beginning at 6 p.m. and will be live streamed
at www.queensbp.org. Instructions will be emailed
the day of the event to those who registered.
The Black History Month celebration is cosponsored
by Atled, Inc., Community Meditation
Services, ConEdison, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc. — Queens Alumnae Chapter, the Greater
Jamaica Development Corporation, the Jamaica
YMCA and Resorts World Casino New York City.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.
KEITH M. LITTLE JOANDER HEADLEY
ADOA ESINAM GZIFA LARRY WOODS
CHRISTOPHER ROKER
BOROUGH PRESIDENT DONOVAN RICHARDS
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