Your words describing the work you do in our community on Saturdays was touching and prompted me to reflect on the many hours I used to spend on 111th Street in a storefront, working with college students who were committed to rebuilding their neighborhood, despite the danger of the drug-infested tenements and abandoned buildings of the early 80s
[Thank You Letter]
The Black Star News honored achievers at its Annual Awards Dinner November 20, including: CNN’s Soledad O’Brien; Rep. Maxine Waters; Rev. Al Sharpton; Teamsters Local 237 President Greg Floyd; Dr. William Pollard, President Medgar Evers College; Jamal Simmons, media consultant; Dwight Raiford, MetLife, Financial Planner; Brandon Gibson, CEO The Gibson Group; Belynda M’Baye, Harlem Lofts; Lynda Ireland, NY&NJ Minority Supplier Diversity Council; Elombe Brath, Pan-African historian; and, Ajene Watson, CEO AJENE WATSON LLC. The Dinner’s major sponsor was Local 237. The following note is from Medgar Evers’ Dean Jones.
Congratulations on an exquisite affair last Friday.
I feel, indeed, obligated to send you a personal note of thanks for making your Annual Awards Dinner a special occasion for all of our Medgar Evers College family who attended.
Clearly, we were extremely impressed with every aspect of the program, as it demonstrated the class and commitment to honoring individuals who in many ways avoid the limelight or accolades, but nevertheless, they tirelessly toil for the good and benefit of our people.
I have for some time observed and appreciated the work of Black Star News for many reasons, but Friday gave me yet another. Your words describing the work you do in our community on Saturdays was touching and prompted me to reflect on the many hours I used to spend on 111th Street in a storefront, working with college students who were committed to rebuilding their neighborhood, despite the danger of the drug-infested tenements and abandoned buildings of the early 80s (and look at it now!). As you poignantly described your work, I thought of possible ways to get you to Medgar for the benefit of our students, and as it turned out, President Pollard was also thinking similarly.
We must, and will continue the dialogue and conversation to hopefully make it a reality. As the President indicated in his remarks, the old Black Press enabled the telling of “our” community’s story and the documenting of the record of Black life in the U.S. These journalists, who were gifted with the skills in reading and writing were unyielding in their desire to tell our story.
The Black Star News is a treasure and you are a jewel, one who inspires and educates the future journalists who will carry on that tradition. Again, it was an outstanding evening and I trust that the monetary support was generous and indicative of the great work you and your staff are responsible for each day. By the way, another impressive and important aspect of the Black Star event, were the number of young people that assisted and their pleasant and engaging demeanor.
You are obviously a great mentor and what some would characterize as a servant leader. I commend you on following your vision and you’re your calling.
Sincerely,
Dean Richard Jones
Medgar Evers College
