Westchester County honored six African Americans for their professional and civic accomplishments, at the annual Black History Month and Trailblazers Award ceremony on Feb. 26 at the Westchester County Center, White Plains.
It was sponsored by the office of County Executive Robert P. Astorino, the county Board of Legislators and the county's African American Advisory Board.
"Through this annual event, we focus attention on the significant and ongoing contributions of African Americans in Westchester," said Astorino. "Those being honored this year have collectively and individually made our county a better place for everyone."
Barbara L. Edwards, chair of the advisory board, said: "Throughout our country's history, African Americans have offered their talents to the betterment of our communities. Our 2012 honorees, in like manner, have played central roles in contributing to our rich heritage. We honor the achievements and legacies of these remarkable Westchester citizens for their dedicated efforts to build a society where every person, of every race, can realize the promise of America."
The following awards will be given:
- Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously), to Ernest S. Prince, executive director of the Urban League of Westchester County for more than 30 years until his death in December. He also served on numerous local and national organizations, including the county's Criminal Justice Advisory Board, which he chaired for more than a decade. In his professional and personal life, he promoted social justice and used his power of persuasion to achieve it. He touched the lives of thousands. The award will be accepted on his behalf by his wife of 45 years, Cheryl.
- Civic Engagement: The Betty Shabazz Award, to Cora Miles, a retired New York City teacher, reading specialist and assistant principal. During her career, she worked with artists, teachers and students in the non-profit Children's Art Carnival Creative Reading Program based in Harlem and Queens. Following retirement, she became a per diem staff developer in a conflict resolution program designed to help teachers. She has been an active member with many local organizations, including the county's African American Advisory Board, the Westchester Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for Nonviolence, Westchester Anti- Racist Alliance, and the PEP Scholarship Fund Steering Committee of Bank Street College.
- Civic Engagement: The Betty Shabazz Award, to Dr. Olivia J. Hooker. Dr. Hooker of White Plains was recently the top honoree named to the Westchester County Seniors Hall of Fame. She has been a civil rights and women's rights advocate for most of her 96 years. The Oklahoma native was 6 years old when she survived the Tulsa Race Riots in 1921, where hundreds of African Americans were killed and their community was burned to the ground. She was also the first African-American woman to enlist and go on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Dr. Hooker also worked as a psychologist in Yonkers.
- Education: The Cecil H. Parker Award, to Dr. Brenda L. Smith, retired superintendent of schools of Mount Vernon. During her tenure, four elementary schools were designated as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education and another school was named a National Title 1 School and honored by the National Center for Urban School Transformation. She is an active member in her community and the recipient of more than 100 awards for her service to her community, particularly her work with youth.
- Health and Human Services: The Dr. Valiere Alcena Award, to Winston A. Ross, a resident of Somers; executive director of Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. since 1984; president of Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc.; and chair of the NYS Conference of NAACP's ACT-SO Committee. He presently serves on the boards of directors of Westchester Residential Opportunities Program, Aids Related Community Services and the Housing Action Council.
- Arts and Culture: The Cab Calloway Award, to Alvin Clayton, owner of Alvin & Friends Restaurant in New Rochelle, a restaurant with a Caribbean flair. He is also an artist of national and international note, whose work has been displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. as well as around the world. His face is familiar in fashion magazines and commercials.