Brooklyn Assemblyman Nick Perry was recently joined by many colleagues, community leaders and supporters at a packed Paradise Caterers on Avenue U in Brooklyn celebrating 11 community figures at his annual gala honor ceremony.
The honorees were: Social Service Employees Union Local President, Anthony Wells; Derek Jordan; Alex Rovt, Ph. D; Monique Waterman; Mazeda A. Uddin; Tanya N. Blocker, Esq; the Rev. Charles O. Galbreath; Nakoley Renville; Hugh Bent Jr.; Lynda Williams-Canaii; and Nigel Greenidge aka DJ Madd Fyre.
Joining the Jamaican-born Perry were Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Sen. Kevin Parker; Sen.-Elect Zellnor Myrie; Assemblywomen Rodneyse Bichotte, Diana Richardson and Latrice Walker; Councilman Jumaane Williams; and District Leaders Cory Provost and Melba P. Brown.
“I ask that you join me in lauding our honorees for their extraordinary efforts,” said Perry, representative for the 58th Assembly District. “We encourage them to keep doing what they believe in and what they have done so well in improving the quality of life in our great city, state and nation, and setting stellar examples that others can emulate.
“To all friends and relatives who have joined us in our celebration, I commend you for standing by these heroines and heroes, who, by their unselfish deeds, touch so many of the lives in so many very positive ways,” he added.
Wells received the Champion of Workers’ Rights Award.
Social Service Employees Union Local 371, founded in 1961, is part of District Council 37 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFL-CIO).
Jordan received the Distinguished Labor Leader Award. He has a labor studies certificate from Cornell Labor College, a certificate from Cornell Labor College Black Trade Leadership Academy, and has graduated from Cornell’s Advanced Labor Union Leadership Program in Ithaca, NY.
Dr. Rovt received the Champion of Quality Healthcare Award. An ardent supporter of children’s charities, Dr. Rovt is the main sponsor, trustee and president of ZDR Yeshiva Rambam, and co-sponsor, trustee and Vice President of Yeshiva of Flatbush, both located in Brooklyn.
Waterman received the Distinguished Community Service Award. She is a public servant, advocate and activist, who believes in community.
Her terms as president for the East 29th Street and East 46th Street Block Associations marked her foundational work in civic engagement, which is guided by her desire to improve lives by working with the community and helping it overcome its struggles.
Uddin received the Outstanding Humanitarian & Civil Rights Advocacy Award. She is the first South Asian (Bengali) woman who is working with the elected members for the South Asian communities for over 30 years.
Blocker received the Outstanding Legal Advocate Award. She recently join the firm Davis Wright Tremaine (DWT), where her practice concentrates on employment law.
Rev. Galbreath received the Outstanding Ecumenical Service Award. He serves as the senior pastor of Clarendon Road Church (CRC) in Brooklyn.
Renville received the Outstanding Educator Award. He is the principal of Public School 208K — The Elsa Ebeling School in Brooklyn.
Jamaican-born Bent, Jr. is chief executive office of the Brooklyn Pharaohs. The football team is renowned around the New York area.
Williams-Canaii is a member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. Her involvement with the youth began with the Boy Scouts Troop and Pack 261. She is also involved in the Children’s Ministry & Spiritual Formation (Sunday school).
Trinidadian Greenidge migrated to Brooklyn in 1988, where he has resided for the last 30 years.
As a DJ for over 20 years, Greenidge, also known as “DJ Madd Fyre,” has brought together his love for music and love for community on many occasions and in varying measures.
