FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com october 8, 2015 • The Queens Courier 25 SCOTT BARON’S STAR OF QUEENS Erna Blackman Founder Butterflies BBI brought to you by star OF queens Photo courtesy of Erna Blackman SCOTT BARON & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorneys & Counselors at Law 1-866-WAS-HURT (866) 927-4878 718.738.9800 Personal Background: Erna Blackman was born in Queens and attended Grace Lutheran Elementary School in Malvern, NY. In 1984, she graduated from Jamaica High School and subsequently received a BA in journalism from Delaware State University. Blackman is married and the mother of two children. Profesional Background and Carer: Blackman had a 20-year career with New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. In 2012, she founded Butterflies BBI, which is a nonprofit organization that provides free hair replacements and solutions to children with medical hair loss. At Butterflies BBI, a special interest is given to inner-city children as they are a group that is often overlooked. Motivation To Contribute To The Comunity: Blackman has seen the devastating effects of low self-esteem in underserved communities during her 20-year career in law enforcement. She has also volunteered at the American Cancer Society as a stylist in their wig program and was inspired by the smiles she would bring to the faces of her clients as she assisted them while they dealt with their personal illnesses. This inspiration was the motivation to bring her services to children in need, hoping to raise their self-esteem to help them become successful members of society. Biggest Challenge: Blackman’s biggest challenge was transitioning from a daily 9-to-5 job, which she could no longer do due to an injury, into the nonprofit world. “When you’re used to getting up every morning to work for someone, it’s hard to stop that learned behavior. No matter how much you say you’d like to stop working, when you’re faced with an unplanned event, it’s tough. And it’s difficult to accept that you no longer have a scheduled salary to rely on. But on the other hand, fulfilling your dream by providing the services to children in need seems to lighten the load and balance things out.” Greatest Achievements: Providing a stable home and comfortable lifestyle for her family is one of her greatest personal achievements. And professionally, her greatest achievement is founding Butterflies BBI. “There’s nothing like creating something from nothing. Building an organization from the ground up with only your own ideas and passion is an achievement in and of itself. But when you see the faces of those you’ve helped and you know that you’ve made a positive difference in their lives, that alone makes it a great achievement.” BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF CUTLER’S LIGHTING Over 50 Years Experience REPAIRS • REWIRING • RE-FINISHING • LAMP SHADES FALL SAVINGS TAKE 20-50% OFF be saving you money. 10% OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only. Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount. Excludes Repairs, Refi nishing, Rewiring. Exp. 10/31/2015 CUTLER’S LIGHTING CUTLER’S LIGHTING LYNBROOK 817 Sunrise Hwy (2 Blocks west of Peninsula Blvd.) 516-887-1300 GREAT NECK 120 Northern Blvd. 516-482-1919 12 years from now, this LED bulb will still OFF LAMP SHADE SALE on yellow and red tagged items Douglaston/Little Neck Library’s History & Culture Events Two outstanding events on history and culture were recently held at the Douglaston/Little Neck Community Library. The first event was the September 24th afternoon reception for the Library’s latest exhibit An Inclusive World: Bridging Communities: A Special Exhibit of NYC Student Art Work. This exhibit on the theme of inclusion had first been displayed in July at the Queens Museum. Samples of the Museum exhibit were then loaned to the Library by long-time Douglaston resident Mario Asaro, Vice President, NYC Art Teachers Association/UFT (pictured on left). Then later that evening Louise Dente, Founder and Executive Producer of Cultural Caravan Productions, Inc. and Dr. William Seraile, Professor Emeritus of African and African American Studies at Lehman College, City University of New York (pictured second from left), lectured on “The Ongoing Struggle of Civil Rights: 1870 to the Present”. They Photo: C. Stossel discussed the history of civil rights in the United States up through recent events that underscore the stillrelevant, ongoing struggle for the rights of all Americans. Both events were sponsored by the Friends of the Douglaston/Little Neck Community Library. For more information, contact: Community Library Manager Ron Wan; Assistant Community Library Manager Tina Holinski; or Friends of the Douglaston/Little Neck Community Library President Arline Abdalian, 249-01 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY 11363, (718) 225-8414, www.queenslibrary.org/Douglaston ADVERTORIAL
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