L-R: Assemblyman Herman Denny Farrell, Jr., former Mayor David N. Dinkins, HCCI Chair Rev. Charles A. Curtis, Ed. D., Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Council Member Inez E. Dickens and Assemblyman Farrell’s daughter Sophia
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) celebrated its 30th Anniversary “Let Us Break Bread Together” Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Marina del Rey in Throgs Neck, NY.
The elegant ballroom played host to an array of powerful guests including business owners, civic and community leaders, such as Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, former Mayor David N. Dinkins and others.
Hosted by Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS, the awards dinner honored:
– Assemblyman Herman Denny Farrell, Jr., New York State Assembly District 71 with HCCI’s most prestigious Canon Frederick Boyd Williams Community Service Award;
– Anthony M. Harmon, President of New York Branch NAACP and Director of Community & Parent Outreach, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) received the Humanitarian Award;
– Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate, First Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal received the Distinguished Service Award;
– Ron Moelis, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Co-Partner, L&M Development Partners was presented the Community Builder Award;
– Preston D. Pinkett, III, Chairman and CEO, City National Bank of New Jersey received the Corporate Leadership Award; and
– Vivian A. Taylor, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Diversity & Cultural Affairs, Columbia University School of Nursing was honored with the Community Partner Award.
Jazzy-soul duo Acute Inflections and John Stanley – musical director for the legendary singer Patti Labelle – and opera singer Martine Bruno punctuated the festive affair with lively music.
The evening also served as a coronation for HCCI’s new Interim, President & CEO Mr. Malcolm A. Punter who greeted the HCCI supporters. Punter proudly announced the upcoming completion of the 153rd Street Corridor, which will provide a new childcare center for up to 120 children, headquarters for HCCI, and additional social services for the neighborhood.
The evening closed with three scholarships presented to local high school seniors. Presented by AJ and VJ Ghaness, Ramier Williams and Ryan Brown each received the HCCI/H&N Insurance Agency & Financial Group Scholarship Award of $1000, which is funded by the Ghaness family. Anu Osibajo received the Canon Frederick Boyd Williams Community Service Scholarship Award of $1000, which is funded each year by the Rockefeller Foundation.
To learn more about HCCI and to view testimonials by residents who have been impacted by HCCI’s programs, please visit www.hcci.org.
Credit Photo: Hubert Williams
