In a three-hour-long gala ceremony Saturday evening at the Queens Museum of Art, the Far Rockaway, Queens-based La “V” en Rose Productions honored 13 exceptional women during its 10th Annual Phenomenal Woman Awards.
“Today, we’re here to have fun,” said Haitian-born Rose Guerrier, founder and president of La “V” en Rose Productions, after she was escorted on stage, to a standing ovation, by her back-up dancer Seph, to Diana Ross’s “Aint No Mountain High Enough.”
“We’re here to honor some phenomenal women that I admire,” added Guerrier – a cultural affairs liaison, high-end event producer and international public relations specialist – who shared the role of Master/Mistress of Ceremonies with her cousin, Jacques M. Leandre, an attorney.
Leandre said: “Let’s celebrate our women. They’re so accomplished.”
The honorees were: Nicole Grogan (Phenomenal Rising Star Award); Nicole Hollant-Denis (Phenomenal Creative Ace Award); Micheline Charles (Phenomenal Silent Hero Award); Denise Jordan (Phenomenal Advocate Award); Jacqueline C. Peck (Phenomenal Impact Award); Rose Graham (Phenomenal Educator Award); and Dr. Bessie Blake (Phenomenal Legacy Award).
The other honorees were: Renee McWilliams (Phenomenal Community Service Ambassador Award); Nancy Herard-Marshall (Phenomenal Health & Wellness Spirit Award); Marie Antoine-Pierre (Phenomenal Community Service Leader Award); Nancy Martinez (Phenomenal Entrepreneur Award); Ayanna Mays (Education Advocate Award); and Anna Walker (posthumous Business Advocate Award).
Guerrier — also received a proclamation from New York State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the Haitian-American chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn.
The ceremony – sponsored by BE-U (Black Edfluencers United), HCC, The Pearl Alliance, RDRC and BLocal 372 – was held under the theme, “Tickled Pink”, in support of breast cancer awareness.
It featured singers, Jamaican Norman Alexander, of Rosedale, Queens, and Trinidadian Anselm Douglas, of “Who Let the Dogs Out” fame; and comedienne “Mugga.”
The band, Alegba & Friends, provided pre-awards gala entertainment to more than 300 patrons.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadians immigrants, briefly addressed the ceremony, telling patrons: “We have such phenomenal women in our leadership – Tish (Letitia) James (New York State Attorney General) doing her thing. We have, for the first time, women in the majority in the City Council.”
Dr. Blake said she was “touched” by the honor.
“This is truly a gift to me,” she told patrons. “I want to thank my sister, Rose, for doing this year after year.”
Hollant-Denis also told the ceremony that the honor was “so deeply meaningful.”
“I feel I’m honored for more than my architectural work but for the person I am,” she said, asking her mother to stand. “It couldn’t be without you.
“My phenomenal husband, thank you for everything,” she added.
With her granddaughter, Dior, on stage, Jamaican-born Graham said it was “an honor, a privilege to serve the children of the city.
“I accept this honor on behalf of the children of this great City of New York,” she added.
Guerrer told Caribbean Life afterwards that she was “elated” that the gala “went wonderfully.
“Everything turned out so wonderful, visually, spiritually,” she said. “It was beautiful. The energy that was given from the guests to the honorees and everything that was shared in that room were pure love and care, and was very uplifting, very motiving and very united.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” she added. “With over 300 guests at the Queens Museum to support the 10th Annual Phenomenal Woman Awards clearly shows the hard work we put in and what we get back.”
Guerrier said proceeds from the event will support breast cancer awareness, with donations to the ICARE Foundation.
She said the theme, “Tickled Pink”, represents “our commitment to support breast cancer awareness,” thanking “the important people in my life who have been a source of inspiration and support to me.
“To my family, my pillar of strength, I would not be where I am without them,” she said. “My amazing co-host, cousin Jacques Leandre, thank you for always standing by my side.
“And to all my sponsors and supporters who have been with me since the beginning, I am forever grateful,” Guerrier added. “Special thanks to Estee Lauder for their gifts and kind consideration to this event.
“Together, we have lifted La ‘V’ en Rose Productions Phenomenal Woman Awards to where it is today,” she continued. “For that, I am forever grateful.”
More about the honorees
Nicole Grogan’s contribution as a respected industry professional “caught our attention when we met her,” Guerrier said. “Her ability to build partnerships with community stakeholders to garner support for small businesses and non-profits, helping to improve their lives and investments, proves to be a great asset to our financial and business communities.”
Nicole Hollant-Denis: As an award-winning architect and founder of AARIS Design Architects, PLLC in New York, Nicole’s 25-year career has ranged from developing the historic African American Burial Ground Memorial and developing Harlem’s first indoor plant living wall for Columbia University to renovating Met life’s Fifth Avenue offices and building a permanent Hurricane and earthquake safe house community in Haiti. “We honor Nicole for her thoughtful consideration of her designs and her passion for using inspiration and her studies to develop architectural spaces that are safe and educational for the community,” Guerrier said.
Micheline Charles: As a professional in Hospitality Management and the music industry, Micheline has combined her work in both fields to help make a difference in the world. “Our organization took great pride in recognizing individuals like Marie, who have contributed significantly to their respective fields through her commitment to providing excellent service to others while also giving back to their community. Whether it is her interaction with people or managing her staff, Marie ensures that everyone has a positive experience and has never looked for acknowledgment. We applaud her excellence in service,” Guerrier said.
Denise Jordan: As a mother of a child with autism, Denise has poured her heart into serving the parents of children with autism and other developing disabilities through My Time, Inc. “We honor Denise for her strong advocacy and commitment to finding solutions to the challenges that affect children with autism,” Guerrier said. “She is the author of ‘Seeing Autism Through a Different Lens,’ which outlines her unique journey with her son, sharing her story to help others.”
Jacqueline C. Peck has been a nurse for over 35 years at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she has national certification in oncology nursing and is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society. “We honor Jacqueline for her compassionate care for patients with many different malignancies and the love she shares with her community through her volunteerism,” Guerrier said. “We are proud to honor Jacqueline.”
Rose Graham is an educator and community Advocate for NYC, who has served the children in New York in various capacities. “We chose Rose for her work as a literary specialist, a teacher of The Gifted and Talented, an assistant principal of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and numerous positions in the DOE,” Guerrier said, adding that Graham serves her community as the director of community affairs and attendance coordinator at District 17 and as a site supervisor for the “Partners in Reading” program and the NYC Summer in the City STEM pilot program. “Rose has been decorated with numerous awards by her peers and elected officials for her longstanding, passionate work in education,” Guerrier said. “We honor her service, tenacity and teaching.”
Dr. Bessie Blake was honored for her advocacy and journey in civil rights and cultural education. “She is an author whose presence in the company of Ms. Rosa Parks and notable others has achieved tremendous educational movements for the African American community,” Guerrier said. “We honor her for her incredible legacy and continued work.”
Renee McWilliams: As the chief operating officer of the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, “Renee works diligently in the communities to fulfill the organization’s mission of assisting its residents in securing an improved quality of life,” Guerrier said. “Renee has proven her ability to engage the youth by actively preparing them for college and numerous careers. She continues to empower others as a corporate mentor for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. We honor Renee for her ministry, leadership, and particular interest in our youth.”
Nancy Herard-Marshall: “Nancy’s work in the creative arts as a dancer/actress, teacher, therapist, and healer is authentic, powerful and emotionally compelling,” Guerrier said. “We recognize her as a patient advocate and member of the Komen’s MBC Steering Committee who is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others.”
Marie Antoine-Pierre, a team member for student life at Medgar Evers College, serves the Brooklyn community as an advocate for mental health (depression and anxiety), women’s health, and excellence in business and charitable causes locally and globally. “Her resilience and compassion for women in distress, whether from domestic violence, breast cancer, or mental health awareness, have shown us that she is indeed a worthy honoree,” Guerrier said.
Nancy Martinez received the Phenomenal Entrepreneur Award for “successfully using her businesses and compassion to support and assist those less fortunate with career paths in healthcare, job training and charity,” Guerrier said. “Nancy is an award-winning professional who is committed to her community in the Rockaways.”
Ayanna Mays is the owner of Track Stars Tutoring and a fierce advocate for education serving the Queens community. Guerrier said Mays was honored for “her advocacy for creating resources for children in need and her continued partnership with numerous organizations that work together as a united force for adults and the youth. She is a much-needed glue.”
Anna Walker was the Panamanian-born executive coordinator of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), who died in January of cancer. “She was nominated for award before she passed,” Guerrier said. “She did her best to continue the legacy of CACCI,” Guerrier said. “I and Anna worked closely together. She was dedicated to CACCI.”
