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 16 through June 19, 2011.

People of African ancestry who wish to be considered for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties, Inc.’s Influential Blacks in Business Award may nominate themselves or be nominated by others. The awards are open to people of African ancestry who are business owners, or senior executives in the public, private or non-profit sectors. All information provided on nominees will be kept confidential. Applications are available on the Chamber’s website a www.aaccnys.org.

The theme is From Sharecroppers to Share Holders (a quote by Dorothy Pittman-Hughes). The first event of the celebration will be the Business to Business Reception honoring the Ten Most Influential Blacks on Thursday, June 16th beginning at 6:00pm at Westchester Manor, 140 Sawmill River Road in Hasting-on-Hudson, NY.

Enjoy food, music and fun as you Network with Westchester & Rockland’s most prominent professionals and sample spirits from members of the Association of Black Alcohol Beverage Companies; Entertainment by Lewis & Kirk, Music Inc.

The reception will be addressed by Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Margarita Anderson, Founder/CEO of the Empowerment Experiment.

“2011 10 Influential Blacks” include: Ms. Leslie Alicks of Lola’s Tea House, Proprietor;
Mrs. Kecia Palmer-Cousins, MBA, COO, G&K Sweet Foods, LLC.; Mrs. Barbara L. Edwards, Esq.; Mrs. Mary L. Graves, Commissioner Management Services, City of Mt. Vernon; Mrs. Marie Houston, President, Pi Iota Omega Chapter of AKA Sorority, Inc.; Mr. Victor T. Madubuko, CreerNation, Founder & Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Michael S. Robinson, President & CEO of NY Staffing Service; Mr. Gregory Robeson Smith, EdD, DMin, MBA, Senior Pastor, Mother AME Zion Church, Grand Master, Prince Hall Masons, State of NY; Ms. Jacqueline J. Warner, Esq.;
Attorney & Author and the Hon. Karen Watts, President, Mount Vernon, NY City Council.

The 2011 reception will be sponsored by: National Grid, Starwoods Hotels & Resorts, The City of Mount Vernon, the A’vitar Foundation, Sugar Hill Golden ale, Ite Spirits and Pour Moi.

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.

For more information on the events call 914-699-4749 or see the website: www.aaccnys.org.