M Money
HCCI Board Chairman Dr. Joan O. Dawson
buiness, finance + work
METROPOLITA
149 SPRIN NEWARK, N (973
HCCI Welcomes Three New Members
Distinguished Local Professionals Will Guide HCCI in Expanding to An Open Letter to The Housing Positive New Cities to Create Equity Opportunities and Affordable
T
he Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) Board of Directors welcomed three new members, expanding its capabilities to guide the organization and maximize its impact in New York City’s Harlem community and offer services in Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; and Seattle, WA. The Board’s video response to COVID-19 can be accessed at https://www.hcci.org/coronavirus. Dr. Joan O. Dawson, HCCI board chairperson said, “We are delighted to welcome these esteemed individuals to our board. During this challenging time, we are happy to strengthen the Board with new members who can provide complementary skills, expertise, and experience that will position HCCI to maintain and expand on its mission in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.”
TheDR.new of HCCI’s board BY REV. DAVIDmembers JEFFERSON, SR., ESQ., PASTOR Debra Washington
C
are:
DearCommunity TPC Family: Outreach Relationship Manager for First Republic Bank Debra Wash-
L E
ington has over 20 years of banking and leadership experience, primarily in the field of sion of Investment. am Reverend Dr. David Jefferson, pastor the from Metropolitan nonprofits and affordable housing. DebraSr., earned herofMBA College Randal located in New Jersey for 1 historic Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark. I of New York and attended Harvard University’s Leadership Professional Development a government contract. Sis preside over one of the largest African American Program. As a member of the National Black MBA Association, Debra is a champion of publicly to the Governor ab congregations in the State of New Jersey. I am also the financial literacy and the underserved, reaching out to communities traditionally left out struggling to get significan president of the National Action Network’s New Jersey of homeownership. Authority of New York and chapter. I am a former senior executive at Comcast and As Fannie Lou Hammer served as president of AT&T for the Northeast region reDeacon Rodney A. Beckford and tired of in being porting directly to C. Michael Armstrong. I am a lawyer His experience as a diverse professional and social matrix spans over 48 years busi- sick and drum for economic and received my MBA from the Massachusetts Institute ness combined with extensive urban community involvement. Beginning as an office boy justice quotemoved Senator Ronald Rice of for Technology. the Wall Street law firm Patterson, Belknap & Webb at age 16, Beckford through is a akin to “an economic ly This letter is not about me, however; a proper introthe ranks to hold positions as an advertising executive, associate director of nutrition, the State of New Jersey.” Th duction is important because I want to convey my deep executive chief steward at the United Nations, and the northeast regional manager at attitudes and arrogance tha understanding of the issues supporting the racial and an international beverage company, Vitality Inc., a division of Nestle Inc. Simultaneously, been privy to a mountain o economic injustice that occurs in the State of New Jersey. Deacon Beckford served in numerous capacities for many community organizations. rather disturbing narrative The state’s most impoverished zip codes are inhabited owned firm fell victim to “t by African Americans. Economic disparities Rev. Dr.Kimberly K. Holmes, Esq. will look has become entrenched at worseAn after the Covid-19 pandemic. In all categories of experienced attorney and prosecutor, Dr. Kimberly Holmes served as a municipal Investment. It the most b economic measure, African Americans fare worse than prosecutor in East Orange and assistant prosecutor/section chief of the Bias Crimes isand committed against other communities. These disparities are wide due to Community Relations Unit of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. She was a member of a blackever thelegal State’s racist legacy there isofno will or plan counsel for the Stateand Commission Investigation. Shetoalso served asseen. chief of staff for I ask that youCity continue t address the issues. the Division of Rate Counsel for 12 years and as assistant corporation counsel for the together. If we do, Doing NOTHING about these issues is the root cause of Newark specializing in Employment Law and Labor Relations Matters. In September we will b not an optiontoand of 2010, the anger and frustration throughout she was appointed by thedemonstrated NJ State Supreme Court as an attorney member the certainly ing injustice is not theFee nation. A knee on the neck of a human being is Arbitration Committee. In 2012, the Chief Justice of the Court appointed Dr. Holmes as in our a modern “Rosa Park nothing of a5Apublic lynching. chair ofshy District for Essex County, NJ where she served until 2014.our Kimberly also day serves taste victory against econom Brothers and sisters in commerce, we do not need as an attorney member of the State Supreme Court Ethics Committee. too well, it will be a win By for another blue-ribbon task force, panel or committee. We need immediate action that addresses injustices and pro- nities are reliant on your b creation. The State of New the ingredients our businesses and communiMalcolm A. Punter, Ed.D., presidentvides and CEO (above) forFounded in 1986, HCCI a not-for-profit, 501(c) of mistreating black-owned ties to right themselves. I remind you, economic power stated, “These new additions to the Board bring the exact (3) corporation is a coalition of inter-faith congregaParks decided that she was is never conceded based on begging and complaining – expertise needed to help guide our new initiatives in tions that has implemented a comprehensive portfolio ment, we, too must we need a more effective strategy. Elections are coming. Atlanta, Baltimore, Seattle, and beyond. During this difficult of programs to provide affordable housing and safe take a s to impact must have consequences for those who fail tofor seeindividuals time, it is important for HCCI to share itsThey community-buildstreets; offer opportunities andelections groups if we do treated more fairly our truth and do something about it. ing strategies with other urban centers around the country to become and remain economically independent; …And having done all to I have heard from many businesses having trouble that also grapple with inequities that present as little to no increase understanding of and access to health care; Ephesians 6:13 getting access to capital and government contracts. The equity, poor quality housing, and residents who need and provide substantive educational programs for If you have experiences CEO of Blueprint tellsadults of theand horrible empowerment strategies to rebuild their lives.” younginjustices people. his firm experienced for four years at the hands of the State Divi- I encourage you to reach o
12
The Positive Community Summer 2020
I
F & F V
thepositivecommunity.com
14
The Positive Community June 2020
Summer 201 www.thepositivecommunity.com
