Each February, Westchester County hosts a Trailblazer Awards celebration for Black History Month. The award recognizes outstanding citizens who have made substantial contributions to Westchester County. This annual event has been well attended and received by community leaders and major organizations throughout the county.
The recipients who received this year's Trailblazer Awards in the fields of public relations, fashion, education, medicine, affordable housing, and children's literature, listed below, join a
growing and impressive list of highly distinguished honorees.
This year's program, "Trailblazers: Preserving our Legacy", will be held Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at Benzinger Hall at Manhattanville College in Purchase. Welcoming addresses will be given by County Executive Andy Spano, college President Richard Berman and Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan. Barbara Edwards, chairman of the Westchester County African American Advisory Board, will speak and members Cora Miles and Reginald Bush will present the awards. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at scenes from the county’s upcoming video that will highlight Westchester’s African American Heritage Trail. Once complete, the video will be distributed to local schools to be used as an educational tool.
The following awards will be presented:
The Cab Calloway Award
Mount Vernonite Terrie M. Williams is a social worker by training who became a successful public relations pro, achieved prominence as an author of successful business and inspirational stories, and has emerged as an advocate for youth and those who battle depression. In 1988, she launched The Terrie Williams Agency, a company that would become one of the country’s most successful public relations and communications firms. Williams now resides in New York City.
The Madame C. J. Walker Award
James P. McQuay was the first black furrier in the United States. He opened his own business in Harlem in 1950 and then relocated to NYC’s famed 7th Avenue. Bill Cosby, Willie Mays, Count Baisie, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Sugar Ray Robinson were some of the first to buy his furs. He has been featured in Essence, Ebony, Jet and The New York Times and has appeared on David Letterman and Today. He performs fashion shows for many organizations as well as donates fur raffles to the Congressional Black Caucus. Today, his business still exists at 151 West 30th Street in Manhattan. He lives in Mount Vernon.
The Cecil H. Parker Award
Mary Dudley Spells has a commitment to educating youth. She is known for her impeccable attendance record throughout 34 years of teaching, counseling and administrative appointments. She has worked in nine of the 15 Mount Vernon city schools, most notably as principal of Cecil H. Parker Elementary. Here she increased enrollment from 287 to 500 students; successfully executed the Project Expectations Curriculum, written especially for black children; and ensured successful results in math, reading and writing scores.
The Dr. Valiere Alcena Award
A well known surgeon at Columbia University, Dr. Kenneth A. Forde helped pioneer the use of endoscopy as a diagnostic and surgical tool. In addition, he was a member of one of the research teams that first recognized the increasing prevalence of polyps in first degree relatives of colon cancer patients and consequently recommended routine colonoscopy screenings for this high-risk group. He garnered the national spotlight in 2000 when he performed a colonoscopy on Katie Couric that was aired on the Today show which she co-hosted at the time. Dr. Forde is currently a professor emeritus of clinical surgery at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he has been on the faculty since 1996.
The Betty Shabazz Award (given posthumously)
William E. Shands made a name for himself as a long-time housing advocate with a big heart. He made great strides in bringing affordable housing to those in need using his financial savvy and compassion. During his tenure as executive director of the Forde Peekskill Housing Authority, he earned the respect and admiration of both his tenants and his colleagues. He also served as president of the New York State Association of Renewal and Housing Officials. He and his wife lived in Peekskill where he became active in community affairs. He passed away March 16, 2003.
The Rev. Alger L. Adams Award
For more than 35 years, Gloria Jean and Jerry Pinkney have created quality books for children and adults. Together they have created a family legacy through their love of art and writing. Jerry Pinkney began as an illustrator of children’s books. He has earned five Caldecott honors, recognition from the Coretta Scott King Awards Committee five times, and many other awards. Gloria Pinkney developed her own reputation and began her own writing of children’s books in the early 1990’s. Together, they created two picture-book memoirs: Back Home and Sunday Outing. Gloria and Jerry reside in Croton-on-Hudson.
You can enjoy video moments from the 2007 Trailblazer Awards ceremony. We also encourage you to visit Westchester TV to view additional videos on the Trailblazer awards.
The Trailblazers award program is being sponsored by the county executive, the African American Advisory Board and the county Board of Legislators. For more information or to attend, contact the Office for African American Affairs by e-mail or by phone at (914) 995-2925.
