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 Mt. Vernon, NY - The Annual Juneteenth Celebration for Westchester County, sponsored by The African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties, Inc. (AACCWR), will take place June 19 through June 22, 2008.
The theme is From Sharecroppers to Share Holders (a quote by Dorothy Pittman-Hughes).
The Juneteenth Celebration commemorates the date – June 19, 1865 – when the slaves in Galveston, TX first received the word of the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery which was originally issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. Today, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom which emphasizes education and achievement. Resolutions have been unanimously passed in the United States House of Representative and in the Senate encouraging the observance of Juneteenth with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs across the country, and asking that President Bush issue a Juneteenth Independence Day Proclamation.
The Celebration will kick off with a Business to Business Reception honoring The Ten Most Influential Blacks at Crystal Bay Restaurant in Peekskill on Thursday, June 19th beginning at 6:00pm. The host for the event will be News 12 reporter Frank Holland.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Holland has been a news reporter on News 12 since January 2007. Prior to coming to New York, he reported the news and sports across the country, including Alaska and U.S. Virgin Islands
The following is a list of the Ten Most Influential Blacks.
Dawna Michelle Fields, national program manager of Colgate-Palmolive Company’s Bright Smiles Bright Futures, oversees the company’s integrated dental health awareness initiative that is targeted at children and families across the United States.
Garrison Jackson, a 24-year veteran of Circulation Experti, Ltd. And an expert in advertising campaigns and on crisis management, was elected to succeed his father, Warren Jackson, as President and CEO in November 1999.
Carole Jessup Morris is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center that operates sites in Mount Vernon, Greenburgh and Yonkers, providing services to patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Reverend Dr. Joel E. Mukhwana-Nafuma (Father Joel), a native of Uganda has been pastor at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon since January 01, 2003. W. L. (Tony) Sawyer has served urban education for more than 30 years as a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, a deputy superintendent, a superintendent of Manhattan High Schools, in New York City, Superintendent of the Topeka Public Schools, USD 501 and currently serves as Superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, currently represents the 35th District of the state of New York, where she was born and raised to parents that encouraged a life grounded ineducation and service.
Edith Washington Charles, community activist and a Great-granddaughter of the great Educator and statesman, Dr. Booker T. Washington, especially enjoys working on programs that promote children’s welfare, as well as government that serves the people.
Debra J. White, the Manager of Supplier Diversity for the New York Power Authority (NYPA), manages the Power Authority’s multi-million dollar supplier diversity program to ensure that minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBE’s) actively and successfully participate in NYPA’s procurement of goods and services, construction contracts and professional services.
Winston Ross has been Executive Director of Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. since 1984.
Sandra L. Richards, Relationship Broker and Creative Strategist, a rising star among her peers with a natural talent for turning challenges into opportunities, joined Morgan Stanley’s Global Wealth Management Group as a Director – Diversity Specialist.
On Friday, June 20th there will be Jazz with the Stars, hosted by Albert “Duke” Jones, owner of Bassline, site of the event, which is a new Jazz Club in Mount Vernon. Hank “Perk” Perkins, former owner of Perks restaurant in Harlem, and currently consultant to restaurant owners will co-host. Music will be provided by Duke Jones and Friends. Mr. Jones, formerly of the group, Atlantic Starr, is an accomplished trumpet player who has played with many legendary performers. The event will begin at 6 P.M. and the club is located at 130 East First St.
The crowning event of the Celebration will be the Annual Celebrity Salute to the Players of the Negro Baseball League Games, featuring teams made up of local celebrities and anyone else who wants to come out and have a good time playing ball. This event will take place, Saturday, June 21st at Brush Park, 598 Union St., in Mount Vernon. Everyone is invited to sign on as players/sponsors/spectators. A portion of the proceeds from the games will used to fund a scholarship for the Mount Vernon Little League Program, directed by Ms. Lucille Jenkins. The co-chairs of this event are Robin Myers, owner of Harmony Designs and Eddie Abram, owner of Eco Auto Body.
The weekend will culminate with a worship service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 335 So. Fourth Avenue in Mount Vernon where Rev. Dr. Joel Nafume is the pastor. Trinity Episcopal Church, the oldest church in Mount Vernon, has transformed from a primarily white congregation, through the influence of the civil rights movement of the 60’s and 70’s on the city of Mount Vernon, to one that has several different nationalities.
Along with the Chamber and the city of Mount Vernon, other major sponsors are Colgate Palmolive Co., The Westchester Business Journal and A’vatar Foundation, newly created to promote the arts in Westchester County.
The AACCWR was established June 28, 1996 as an independent not-for-profit agency to aid, counsel and protect the interest of the African American business concerns. The mission, according to Robin L. Douglas, founder and president, is to preserve competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of Westchester and Rockland Counties.
For more information on the events call 914-699-4749 or see the website: www.aaccnys.org.
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