Brooklyn Chamber Celebrates Black History Month During Annual Awards Ceremony

Brooklyn Chamber Celebrates Black History Month During Annual Awards Ceremony
 
On February 25th, the Brooklyn Chamber celebrated Black History Month by honoring four distinguished individuals who have contributed to the borough’s business community: Government Awardee, NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop; Community Awardee, Tia Powell Harris, Executive Director/President of Weeksville Heritage Center; Small Business Awardee, Fred Powell, CEO of BF Enterprises; and MWBE Awardee, Nandanie Appana, Founder & CEO of All Eyes On You Corporation.
 
“Brooklyn has experienced unparalleled success, and this would not have been possible without the tremendous contributions from our Black American community,” said Brooklyn Chamber President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “It’s a true honor to acknowledge four astounding business leaders whose efforts not only help to maintain a flourishing business environment, but also serve as inspirations for our MWBE workforce. I would like to thank Con Edison, National Grid and Weeksville Heritage Center for supporting our event and helping to celebrate cultural diversity in Brooklyn!”
 
“The Brooklyn Chamber is proud to honor the Black American community of Brooklyn with our annual Black History Month celebration,” said Brooklyn Chamber Board Chair Denise Arbesu. “During this terrific event — celebrated at the historic site of one of America’s first black communities during the 19th century, Weeksville Heritage — we not only honored the achievements of the Black community, but we also reflected on the growth of our borough’s diversified workplace. I applaud our four awardees for their meaningful contributions to Brooklyn, and I look forward to seeing the great work they do in the year ahead.”
 
“I am honored to be recognized by the Brooklyn Chamber as part of their 2016 Black History Month Celebration alongside key business leaders in this borough,” said Commissioner Gregg Bishop. “Having grown up in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood, I am deeply indebted to the forefathers and mothers in my community, this city, and our nation who have helped secure the opportunities and equality we all have access to today. I look forward to continuing to work with Brooklyn community leaders and everyday heroes as we write New York City’s next chapter of black history.”
 
“In saluting me, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is actually saluting a host of passionate individuals whose dedication to what Weeksville represents — self-determination, self-sustainability, entrepreneurship, activism and equity — has endured over the years, allowing us to arrive at this most auspicious time,” said Tia Powell Harris.
 
“Small businesses are the bedrock from which strong, engaging and desirable communities grow,” said Fred Powell. “Building rapport with our patrons, providing exceptional service and being connected to the community’s development is essential to remain relevant in an increasingly more competitive marketplace. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has been a consistent resource for small businesses to tap into in order to passionately serve our communities with excellence.”
 
Nandanie Appana said, “As a proud member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and its MWBW Committee, I am honored to receive this award and being a part of the 2016 Black History Month Celebration!”
 
The event was sponsored by Con Edison and National Grid, and held at the historic Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights.
 
“Congratulations to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Black History Month honorees,” said Juliet Lewis, Manager of Public Affairs at Con Edison. “Con Edison is very pleased to participate in supporting the MWBE committee and its initiatives.”
 
“National Grid recognizes the importance of partnering with organizations to build strong relationships in the communities we serve,” said Renee V. McClure, Manager of Community and Customer Management at National Grid. “I am pleased to serve as co-chair of the Brooklyn Chamber MWBE committee which fosters supplier diversity initiatives.”

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