A Black History Month Celebration

Hosted by Rochdale Village Community Center and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz

By CyntHia Bernadine

Rochdale Village Community Center and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz hosted a celebratory program in honor of Black History Month on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in the Rochdale Village Grand Ballroom. The 3-hour long program, which was co-sponsored by NYC City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, included musical and dance performances from local artists, award presentations as well as vendors from local black-owned businesses.

The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event was none other than Cheryl Wills, Anchor of ‘NY1 Live at Ten’ and host of ‘In Focus with Cheryl Wills’. The doors opened promptly at 4:30 p.m. to a packed room, allowing guests inside to spend the first hour mingling, visiting vendors, and enjoying food and desserts provided by The Royal Hub and Craft of All Trades before the program began.

The program opened with an invocation and closed with a benediction, both by Reverend Donna James of “His Temple Fitness” Ministry, with brief welcoming words from Community Center Director, Julia Shaw. It was a program chock full of content: A Tribute to the Ancestors by Baba Wali Baraka, Shemeka Fennell performed The National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, and entertaining performances from Eluminations II, BlaQue Voices, Destined 2 Dance, and Teen Connects.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, spoke passionately about the importance of commemorating Black History throughout the country, as well as his own upbringing.

Remarks were given by Rochdale Board President Jean Hall and Queens DA Katz before awards were presented to honorees. This year’s honorees and award recipients were especially close to Rochdale Village. Dr. Maria Hubbard, whose impact and contributions to RV have been invaluable, serves as The Director of Agape Bethel Community Development Corporation. Derrick Shareef is a long-standing community activist, dating back to his participation in B-MAD

(Black Men Against Drugs), and his leadership in the martial arts arena serves both youth and seniors of our community. He currently serves on the Rochdale Village Board of Directors.

From the Queens DA Office: Eva Cooper, Assistant DA/Section Chief of Intake, and Karean McKellar-Thurston, Supervising Paralegal were honored. Also honored was Kevin Livingston, 100 Suits for 100 Men/Community Activist, who is a current Rochdale resident and has been changing lives as well as shaping new hopes for men in the community at large for some time now.

District Attorney Katz also recognized Alexis Celestin, Deputy Director of the Conviction Integrity Unit, who passed away last year. With the one-year anniversary of her passing approaching, Katz recognized her contributions to the QCDA’s office as well as her work within the community, presenting a special award that her husband accepted in her name.

Before the benediction, Cheryl Wills closed out the evening, which could only be summed up as being one of fellowship.

[More pictures on pages 16].