WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 17
‘Black history is Queens history’
Borough president to host virtual Black History Month celebration
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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.
Adoa Esinam Gzifa Keith M. Little
Christopher Roker Joander Headley
Larry Woods Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
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