Harlem Business Alliance Recognizing Excellence Awards Dinner

Dec. 3, 2004

The Alhambra Ballroom, NY

The Harlem Buasiness Alliance, Inc (HBA), founded in 1980, is a Class 402 501(c)(3) corporation, meaning its activities are aimed at strengthening neighborhoods (and combating their deterioration.) This is exactly what the HBA has been doing for nearly two decades. It has accomplished this by strategically allying with a host of private, public and government entities, for the purpose of helping businesses, both emerging and those already in existence. The HBA also advocates and assists in the preservation of the business community within the Harlem area.

There was a wonderful invocation, given by Reverend Dr. Simon P. Bouie, Sr. Pastor of Emmanuel AME Church, in which Pastor Bouie asked for the blessing continued dedication by each of the honorees.Everyone was welcomed to the event by the President of the Harlem Business Alliance, Mr.Keith McHenry, and then briefed by Walter Edwards, Chairman of the Harlem Business Alliance. This gala was a very festive evening devoted to honoring those who have done their outstanding best in assisting the HBA with its goals and endeavors. Honorees included David Hargraves, Sr. Vice President of Carver Federal Savings Bank, who received the Percey E. Sutton Award for his continual sacrifice, purpose, vision and consistency of belief in advocacy on behalf of the African-American Community; George B. Benta, of The Benta Group, who received the Businessperson of the Year Award, for the demonstrating outstanding Entrepreneurial spirit and expertise (which is needed to run a successful business;) The Honorable Bill Perkins, NYC Council Depuby Majority Leader, who won the Government Service Award for showing his sacrifice, purpose, vision and consistency of belief in service to people of African descent, particularly those in the Harlem community; the Frazier Family, owners of Windows Over Harlem, for demonstrating exceptional vision and leadership in the establishment and development of an owner-led business; and Sayeed Samad, Radio Personality, who won the Community Service award for demonstrating commitment, great concern and generosity towards the continued empowerment of the African-American community.Liberty News Online would like to congratulate all of the honorees, and extend a special congratulations to Councilmember Bill Perkins (who was introduced by Councilmember Robert Jackson), recipient of the Government Service Award. Mr. Jackson spoke highly of Mr. Perkins, elaborating a bit on the devotion and dedication that Councilmember Perkins had portrayed.Congressman Charles Rangel also got up and spoke highly of the honorees, personally presenting each of them with an award from his own office.The festivities were enjoyable, with everyone being entertained throughout the evening by the Circumference Jazz Ensemble, who played marvelously. There was a special treat for everyone when the Movement of the Children Dance Center had two of their best tapdancers perform, bringing the audience to their feet with applause.The dinner was a delicious choice of baked salmon or filet mignon, superbly prepared by their master chefs. Our compliments! There was even a champagne toast made to the honorees, directed by the HBA’s President, Mr. Keith McHenry, who was joined by Mr. Charles Powell, Director of Business Development for the HBA.

This was a wonderful event. We at Liberty News Online Magazine would like to thank Ms. Thelma Russell, the HBA’s Executive Director, for her kind invitation. We look forward to covering more of HBA’s events. For more information about joining the organization, please feel free to log onto their website, at http://www.hbany.org.

The African American and Caribbean Section is headed by assistant editor Annette Johnson, and Liberty News Online Staff Writers contributing articles. It will cover articles about the African American and Caribbean communities throughout the U.S.A. For more information, feel free to email us at lncarib@hadofnyc.org. If you are interested in having us cover one of your events, feel free to notify us one week in advance, so we can add you to our master calendar, and have our Liberty News Staff come and write an article about your event. Feel free to email us at lnevents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616 between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm, and ask to speak to Annette or Steve