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On behalf of The Lincoln-King Center and the International Human Rights Commission, I am honored to celebrate with you. It is so important to continue to work towards a fair and just system, as it becomes harder in this society. Tonight, we celebrate a group of honorees that have worked tirelessly to strive for fairness and justice. Whether in business or activism we are proud of your hard work and dedication to our communities.

Congratulations and well wishes for your continued success. My deepest regards to the Hon. Judge Andrea Phoenix, Her Excellency Ayesha Ali Consul General of Pakistan New York, Bishop Sem Celestin, Frist Revelation Church, Bishop Emmanuel Dennis, Manhattan Church of God,  Dr. Crystal Bonds, Superintendent NYC Department of Education, Assistant Chief Kevin A. Williams, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens South NYC Police Department and First Deputy Police Commissioner, Kevin P. Smith-who is the second in command of the Nassau County Police Department- for taking time out of their rigorous schedules to join us for this very special occasion.

Welcome honorees, guests and performers all to our Annual Lincoln+King Visionary Awards Gala & Awards Ceremony.   Is it not truly a gift and blessing to be a part of a gathering of some 32 countries sharing not our differences but the bond of love and friendship for each other?  And in that bond, a common shared destiny and deep desire for peace and prosperity for all our families and especially our children.

We here present together are but a small microcosm of a massive world and universe.  However, our gathering sends a powerful and profound message across all nations.  That message is that mankind has but one desire—to love and celebrate each other as a unique creation on a majestic planet living in collective, glorious harmony.  And included in this one desire is the need to raise each other up as one people in acknowledgement of the one who created us in love and all that is good on earth.

We use the word “race” as a biological term only to distinguish the unique features of God’s human creation and only to make note of the external differences we share because internally we are all the same, each with a heart and soul.  And those whose field is botany are challenged by the discovery of all the different colors and shapes of flowers that are in the world.  Can you imagine a garden with only one color flower, how boring would that be?   And so it is, God’s garden of humanity too is of many different colors and how wonderfully beautiful that is.

Also, is he not the most formidable of all artists for as his crowning achievement was to create his garden and each flower in it in his own image and likeness?   So how foolish is it that anyone or any nation or any flower in his garden, would think them better or more worthy or more beautiful of receiving the life giving water of his love and grace.

Which brings me to the understanding that if this is God’s desire for his creation—even giving us a commandment that we love one another—then how do we separate this eternal truth from our fallible public policy and actions.  If God is love and you remove God from the world, so do we not also remove love?  And how can mankind exist without love.  I grew up believing and was taught that it was faith that formed my politics and directed my actions.  So in serving people I also serve Him.

That is why I love and admire President Abraham Lincoln and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Their politics was what formed their faith.  There was no separation between the two.  That is why President Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation that made African Americans free from the bondage of slavery.  It was an act of faith and service.  And, of course, the work of Dr. King too was an act of faith in the fight for Civil Rights.  Many might be astonished to know that these two men were Republicans.  Few may know, also, that it was Republicans who helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964—my grandfather, Frank J. Becker, being one of them—as well as other Civil Rights legislation.

The work of these two men, however, was cut short by their assassinations—especially Dr. King’s Civil Rights movement.  This is why this organization was founded that all political forces might come together to make Dr. King’s dream at the mountaintop finally a reality.   Lastly, I want to thank and express with deepest gratitude the leadership of the Director of the Lincoln+King movement, the Rev. Emmanuel Asse.  His inspiration, passion and friendship have been the driving force in the success of the organization, thus far, and the gala and awards ceremony we are enjoying tonight.

Andrea Phoenix was elected to the Nassau County District Court in 2006 and was re-elected to a third term in 2018.  Previously, Judge Phoenix was an attorney concentrating in Family Law and was an active member of the New York State Law Guardian Panel now known as the Attorneys for Children Program. Judge Phoenix was appointed to preside over the Drug Treatment Court and the Mental Health Court. As an Acting County Court Judge, she adjudicates both misdemeanor and felony matters. Judge Phoenix serves on the Unified

Court System Family Violence Task Force and the Nassau County Family Court Children’s Center Advisory Committee.  Presently, the Judge serves as Co-Chair of the Nassau County Committee on Equal Justice in the Courts along with the Administrative Judge of Nassau County, Honorable Vito M. DeStefano.

Judge Phoenix received her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and her graduate degree from The Ohio State University. She earned her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Environmental Law Digest. She has remained involved in alumni activities and was inducted into the law school’s Hall of Fame last year.

Judge Phoenix is the president of the Nassau Lawyer’s Association of Long Island. She is a recent past president of the Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court. She is also a past president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association and the New York Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Notably, the Judge was the first African American president of all three organizations. Judge Phoenix sits on the WE CARE Advisory Board of the Nassau County Bar Association. She holds membership in the Nassau County Women’s Bar Foundation, the Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County, Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association, the Jewish Lawyers Association of Nassau County and the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association.  Over the years, she has been active in many other community and public service organizations.  These include Antioch Baptist of Hempstead where she serves on the Board of Trustees, the Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Empire City Moles, and the Long Island Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, where the judge is the chair of International Trends and Services Facet, and she is the immediate past chair of the National LIFE Committee.

The Judge has received various awards and accolades stemming from her organizational involvement.  She is the recipient of both the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association’s Bessie Ray Geffner, Esq. Memorial Award and the Virginia C. Duncombe, Esq. Scholarship Award.  Judge Phoenix also received the organization’s distinguished

Rona Seider Award.  She received the Stephen Gassman Award from the Nassau County Bar Association’s WE CARE Advisory Board. In 2020, Judge Phoenix received the Visionary Award from Operation Get Ahead, Inc. and she received the Hon. Alfred S. Robbins Memorial Award jointly from the Amistad Long Island Black Bar

Association and the Nassau County Courts’ Black History Committee. In 2022, Judge Phoenix received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Human Rights Commission’s Annual Gala. Most recently, in 2023, Judge Phoenix was honored with the Judith S. Kaye Access to Justice Award from the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She is listed in Who’s Who in Black New York City.

Mrs. Bano Khan Ng-A-Fook, is of Guyana decent and hails from a family that is known for their commitment to serve and helping the less fortunate in their neighborhood and nearby vulnerable communities. She migrated from Guyana in 1977 to the USA and have worked as a baby sitter, and a nurse’s assistant besides raising her children.  she is a mother of six sons, six daughters-in-law, and now proud grandmother of five. Her excellent parenting style and her firm conviction that education is the path way to success caused her as a parent to instill such a value in her children which resulted in her children becoming physicians, Educators and Dentistry.

She is a devout Muslim that joined Masjid Al Abidin over 40 years, ago and later became the Excellent leader of the female section for over the last thirty years. During her tenure as the head of the sister’s, she has been directly involved in numerous charitable and relief work, both locally and international. She coordinated numerous humanitarian efforts and would spend her time is visiting the sick offering spiritual and emotional care at their bedside. Her charitable nature and selflessness are visible and seen in her kind gesture of making available burial plots for the needy, and anyone who cannot afford the funeral expenses for their love ones.

The siaters group under her leadership provided counseling to troubled and distressed families while organizing various forms of assistance to resettle newly arrived immigrants to the USA.

Mrs. Ng-A Fook is also recognized for her cooperation with other Multifaith groups in Queens by extending a helping hand and offer numerous resources to those in need.

Patrick J. Ryder was named Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department in February 2018.  He has spent 38 years in law enforcement, serving the last 36 years with the Nassau County Police Department.  Commissioner Ryder began his law enforcement career with the New York Police Department in January 4, 1984.

He joined the NCPD on July 18, 1986 and was assigned to the 3rd Precinct and in 1989 assigned to the Bureau of Special Operations. Promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and assigned to the 5th Precinct, 8th Squad, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) as the Deputy Commanding Officer.

In 2008 he was designated the Commanding Officer of Asset Forfeiture & Intelligence (AFI), where he proactively implemented a number of life-saving programs and initiatives that helped ensure officer and public safety.  These include the NCPD’s Real-Time Intelligence (RTI) system; the R.E.A.C.H. Program; the Civilian Intelligence Analyst Program; the DNA Collection Initiative; and the creation of the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Think Tank, and the Department’s Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team (CIRRT). Together these initiatives have brought crime in Nassau County to historic lows, allowing residents to enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in the United States. In 2022, Nassau County was named the “Safest Community in America” by U.S News and World Report for the third year in a row.

Commissioner Ryder has a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Management from Long Island University – Riverhead Campus. He is an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Intelligence-Led Policing at Nassau

Community College and taught at Dowling College until 2015. He currently sits on the Advisory Board for Criminal

Justice at SUNY Farmingdale and has been a Counter-Terrorism Lecturer at the University of Maryland Center for

Health and Homeland Security. Commissioner Ryder is a New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, a New York State Certified Crime and Intelligence Analyst, a Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist, and has Top Secret clearance with the FBI’s New York Field Office. He has also been deputized as an IRS Criminal Investigator. Additionally, he has trained members of law enforcement agencies from Egypt, Tajikistan, Tunisia, South Africa, and Turkey. He and his wife Jill have three children: Liam, Sean, and Meghan.

Mr. Sheharyar Ali was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is a first-generation Pakistani-American. His parents immigrated from Pakistan to America in the late 80’s to build a better life for themselves and to lay the foundation for a more prosperous lifestyle for their kids.  Mr. Sheharyar Ali grew up in and lives in Long Island, New York. He graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park. He graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s in government and politics and a minor in philosophy. Immediately after college, Mr. Ali attended St. John’s School of Law.

At. St. John’s School of Law, Mr. Ali found his passion for trial advocacy and helping others. Mr. Ali was a member of the prestigious Polestino Trial Advocacy institute and competed in multiple law school mock trial competitions throughout the country. In addition, to being a member of the team he was also a coach and coached first year law students. After graduating law school, Mr. Ali started his legal career at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

As a prosecutor, Mr. Ali prosecuted thousands of crimes in his four years in Kings County. His number one priority was to achieve justice for victims of crimes and to keep the community safe. He was quickly promoted to a felony prosecutor where he handled crimes ranging from burglary all the way up to attempted murder. Mr. Ali holds the record at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for the amount of preliminary hearings conducted during the Covid-19 outbreak.

After his career at the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Ali briefly went into private practice and now he is at the Nassau

County Attorney’s Office. He focuses on federal litigation where he defends the Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department. His number one focus is to help keep Nassau, a place he calls home, safe.  He is married and has two sons. Nothing is more important to him than his family and his family inspires him to go to work every day and make a difference. He is also the founder of Toys 4 Eid, a non-for-profit organization created by him and his brother. Every year, the organization holds a mega toy rally where thousands of toys are distributed to thousands of kids. He is also a member of the South Asian American Small Business Association and the Nassau County Bar Association.

Dr. Mohamed Hack was born on October 28, 1955, in Guyana, South America and migrated to the United States along with his wife in 1984. Their three children migrated in 1989 to join their parents in New York. Prior to Dr. Hack migrating and after completing his studies he worked in the field of Land Surveying. Civil Engineering, Accounting and a successful businessman. He attended Richard Ishmael Secondary School and Guyana Technical Institute and graduated. In New York he studied Civil Engineering at the Institute of Design and Construction.

Mohamed Hack started off as a Security Guard in New York, but dedication and loyalty took him lover the cloud. He worked as a Production Manager for Wolfson’s casing company and shortly after in 1985 rise to the rank of Operations Manager for Hall’s Security Analyst and made the company a phenomenally successful company during his thirteen years tenure. He made it to the position of Vice President and General Manager a position he held to 1997. In 1998 he was the Operations Manager for FJC Security, another security company, and supplied security services for all New York City Homeless Shelters. He developed new training guidelines, formulated new policies and procedures to enhance service, and instituted a new chain of command to increase efficiency and reduce cost. In 1999 he moved on to Lance Investigation where he was Director of Security and managed the contract for NYC buildings in South Bronx and Brooklyn that were in receivership by the federal government. Dr. Hack continued in security working for TSM Security as Operations Director which added to his Security Management tenure for a total of thirty-seven years. Dr. Hack intermittently tried his skills in real estate investment and was able to pay off for his home where he lives.

Dr. Mohamed Hack’s life as a civil servant started off in 2013 when he worked for New York City Council District 28 as community liaison. He used his public relations skills to interact with communities of different ethnicities, faiths, and cultures, and engaged in many aspects of bringing communities of multiple backgrounds together. In 2014, he became the founder and president of the Interfaith Council for Community Development. Although he has since resigned, his work in the community has continued. in 2014 appointed in the office of the Queens Borough President as community coordinator for South Asian and Caribbean Affairs. In 2020 he moved on with the next borough president as Advisor for Interfaith Relations. Public Safety and Diaspora relations and position he currently holds. Dr. Hack has a legacy of community affairs work for over 40 years and security management for 37 years with an unblemished character and a person serving humanity.

Dr. Hack is the recipient of over 50 awards to his credit for his outstanding work and is also the recipient of two Honorary Doctorate and ambassadorial recognition.

Rev. Nirva Celestin is an immigrant from Haiti having grown up in prior to moving to New York. Rev. Nirva Celestin together with her husband Dr. Bishop Sem Celestin They are the founder of La Premiere Eglise Apocalypse (First Revelation Church) in Queens Village New York;  Rev. Nirva Celestin is in Charge of the lady’s ministries in the church, she is a great tool in the service of the kingdom; she encourages the youth, the children, women and all together to build up their faith by reading the Word, speak it, apply it, use it and focus in it. She has a radio ministry, and weekly television ministry with her husband, that is designed to empower leaders to advance the kingdom of God Rev. Nirva has been pastoring for over 35 years.

As a pastor by God’s grace, she brings inner healing and deliverance to people. She depends on the anointing of the Holy Spirit to bring government order, structure, vision and strategy to develop Rev. Nirva has a kingdom-driven mandate where God’s dominion has priority. Rev. Nirva works in the full capacity of her knowledge of teaching, Mentoring, nurturing, and challenging ministers of the gospel to keep going for greater heights in the Lord. As an international evangelist she has ministered in over five continents. Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Rev. Nirva with her husband Bishop Sem Celestin also the founder of an outreach International Ministry (Christ Est la Repose) and (Author de la table Spiritual) Rev. Nirva strives for excellence in her walk with Christ, and God’s grace She is bound for greatness; a virtuous woman with a powerful anointing is well encouraged to continue her work in the Lord.

Rev. Nirva is a national and international speaker in conferences and other intervention. The vision God has placed in Rev. Nirva to spread the Gospel with a visible expression of the Word of God through a lifestyle of victorious living and practice Bible teaching that equips believers, a great impact in the lives of the young children and the youth to live according to God giving privileges. Rev. Nirva has devoted her life to raising a family being married for 40 years.

She is the proud mother of three married children’s and six beautiful grandchildren.  Rev. Nirva, has been an active volunteer in numerous community organizations and many other non-profit organizations. Rev. Nirva holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor in Theology.

Rev. Edvard Esteve is a Financial Advisor that specializes in Real estate, Insurance. He graduated High School in Haiti at the “Lycee Alexandre Petion” in 1981. Right after, he started his college level studies in Civil Engineering in Port-au-Prince, Haiti at “Institute superior technique d’Haiti” (I.S.T.H) of Richard Leconte.

At his young age of 22, he had obtained his first job as a High School Assistant Teacher at the “Lycee Toussaint Louverture”. Within two years he had gravitated to the position of Principal Assistant. While being Full-Time at the Lycee, he was also a Full-time as a Civil Engineering student, he also managed to study accounting by correspondence simultaneously. Mr. Edvard was very active in Politique. He was intensely involved in the Sylvio Claude Political Party (Party democrat Chretien Haitian).

Due to the fact that his fiancée was living in New York, he had managed to leave everything behind and join her in July 1986; he had married to her immediately. Right on spot, he had started working fiercely representing the Party of Sylvio Claude (PDCH). He was very engaged in promoting his political belief through all the Haitian media

He started his Tax business in 1989 on Church Avenue. It was the beginning of a big journey. His only biological child Victoria was born in 1990. Her birth has giving him enough energy to expand his tax business into a multiservices company such as: Driving School, Real Estate, Immigration Services, Translation Service, Travel Agency, Insurance, Employment Agency, all under the same roof. He successfully opened up eight (8) storefronts three (3) locations in New London Connecticut, one (1) in Brooklyn New York, four (4) in Long Island area. He had provided employments to over thirty (30) people. Now, as he draws near to retirement, he has reduced all the business locations to one.

He is presently leading a flock as a full time Pasteur at Cornerstone Church of God in West-Hempstead New-York and he is currently serving as a coach and mentor to other young business entrepreneurs. He is grateful to God and his Community who surely played a great role in his success in business. Over the years he has been an integral part of ministry, sowing the seeds of faith for the future generation while fully immersing them in the Haitian culture, ensuring that their cultural pride and faith in God grow hand in hand To God be the glory!

When utilizing the adage “Think BIG“, the first person who comes to mind is Vanilo Saint-Louis, better known as Mr. Van Saint. Van is the epitome of dedication, persistence, motivation, and leadership in the community, at home, and in his print shop Belimage (or just BIG as the logo states). BIG was born in August of 1997 starting at 781- 780 Hempstead Tpke. in Franklin Square, NY until 2017 when the company relocated in Elmont, NY. In 1995 Van became an initiated member of the International Business Honor Society, Alpha Beta Gamma, received a Membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Membership with the BBB, Membership with the Locuswood Gotham Civic Association, Nassau County Executive Office Citation Award recipient to date, and celebrated BIG’s 25th anniversary in 2022. After immigrating from Port-au-Prince, Haiti in the fall of 1990, Mr. Van Saint attended Essex County College in Newark NJ. With near perfect academic performance, he was on the dean’s list every consecutive semester and was awarded the prestigious Who’s Who among students in American Junior colleges in 1993-1994. Mr. Van Saint was subsequently awarded the well sought-after International Students Scholarship based on a near perfect GPA. He graduated with Honors in the fall of 1993 with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. Without delays, Mr. Van Saint move to Long Island, Elmont NY and attended Queensborough Community College for a degree in Computer Information System (CIS) in just three semesters, and as an avid learner jumped right onto Queens College in 1995 for his graduate degree in Computer Science. Belimage or BIG first opened up as a turnkey for the Haitian community.

Mr. Van Saint continues to support non-profit organizations through creative graphics, print production, like the publishing of a monthly subscription magazine called in French “La science du Mental” for the NGO Center of Motivation and Personal Development, in Haiti. Additional accolades include utilization of cutting-edge technology to live streaming Haitian radio and TV shows, displaying galleries of known Haitian artists in the diaspora, also giving a space for a Haitian community forum over the internet way back in 1998. Mr. Van Saint continued to receive numerous awards and merits from local businesses and organizations like The Haitian Consulate of NY, Tele Image Haitian TV Show, Tel Education Haitian TV Show, Creole TV-NYC Haitian TV Show, Valcourt Productions Haitian Radio Show… to name a few Family is very important to Mr. Van Saint, and as no one is an island, he expresses his gratitude to every person he meets. His heart is BIG and his reach is long as Belimage has crossed International borders over and over again. Belimage has worked with well-known Haitian artists and groups like Lionel Pierre, Tabou Combo, Alan Cave, Carimi, Emeline Michel, Michel Martelly, King Kino, L.c Group Zin and many more. Mr. Van Saint is looked up to by many in the Nassau County Community, the Haitian community all over the USA and throughout the world. We can only envision more to come from Mr. Van Saint as a trail blazer, motivator, business role model, and community leader, as he sees learning and innovating as a never-ending opportunity for greatness.

Shazia Jabeen was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She completed her education from PAF Base Masroor, Karachi and received BSC from Government College of Women, Karachi Pakistan. After college, she pursued her career as a teacher. She started teaching in a Pakistan Marine Academy School, but her most professional growth was from the Agha Khan School Systems. That is where she learned how to teach science in secondary classes, as well as workshops related with science, teaching science for primary classes from Oxford University.

During her educational career and teaching, she practiced calligraphic writing styles as a pastime. Additionally, she had taken a couple of classes for poetry art, but mostly worked on glass and mirror artwork. People began to recognize and appreciate her artwork and kept motivating her to pursue this talent even further. She doesn’t consider herself an artist because she never had any professional credentials as an artist or took classes, but since everyone has begun to view her as one, she has accepted the title proudly.

Five years ago, she had just moved from Valley Stream, New York to East Northport, New York and for the time being she was in search for a small job. However, her health condition limited her to do any sort of difficult work, so she decided it was best to stay at home and focus on decorating her new home. As she was searching for decor, she knew she must incorporate some Islamic pieces into her home as well. Throughout her search for Islamic art online, she noticed the extremely expensive pricing, all for inauthentic pieces as well, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

She created a piece of work which left her family in shock as they were unaware of her talent and advised her to do more. As time went on, other states displayed her art in art shows. Shazia has worked with Assemblyman Phil Ramos and did an interview with him on a State News Channel, sharing her experiences and more information about her and her art. She has worked collaboratively for months with Assemblyman Steve Stern and has bought one of her pieces. To honor her work, he had decided to hang up her artwork in his official government office.

Shazia has been a part of several non-profit organizations all across Long Island, New York. There she has met wonderful people and team members that she still works with to this day. She has an active role in the community and is constantly giving back to what society needs, especially Pakistani Muslims. When she first immigrated to America, she began to help many domestically abused women and participated in welfare work. She realized she’s always had a passion to help those who are in need and much bring change forth in her community. She was able to kick start her art career by holding a small-scale exhibition with a few pieces she had quickly made and local community members came to buy and support her work. She began to be recognized by Pakistani media and news channels, and was even published in local newspapers.

Shazia is now one of the founders of Empowered Muslim Women of New York (EMWON) where she will bring justice and highlight the works of many of the Muslim women all across New York.

Mrs. Maria Santiago Throughout all the years I studied, I also worked providing care for the elderly; and I adored it. I felt a true connection caring for each individual person with their own life stories that shaped their autonomy. Despite my passion in broadcasting, I couldn’t ignore this calling, which quickly became my life’s calling; caring for the wellbeing of seniors.

Ironically enough, my academic career wasn’t originally rooted in healthcare. After my departure from Trinidad to the United States, my educational pursuits led me to Hostos Community College in the Bronx, as well as Lehman College for television production and directing and finally, the Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

I balanced both my passion and my life’s calling, working my way up from administrator to now, being a CEO of my own Home Health Aide Training Institute, Westbury, N.Y training future healthcare workers and finding them employment where they too may experience the fulfillment that comes with caring for another. My philanthropic endeavors led me to serve families in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Trinidad, providing meals for those in need. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I hosted celebrations recognizing essential workers by granting them over $100,000 in scholarships and life insurance policies.

With every training program I oversee, each job placement fulfilled, and every recognition I’m blessed to receive, my goal is to increase the awareness of exemplary healthcare practices for seniors in need. There is a divine plan for all of us and by acknowledging and understanding challenges seniors endure, we can provide better care, profoundly improving the lives of those in the community, as well as those we love.

Bishop Dr. Danilo Alfonso Archbold was born on March 26th, 1966 in Rainbow City, a former Canal Zone in Colon Panama. The youngest male child of 20 siblings, he came to the U.S. on a snowy winter night in 1972 to South Jamaica Queens. Even at a very young age, he knew his calling in life. Without formal training, he began teaching Sunday School to his peers at the age of 8, and became fascinated with God’s word. He wanted to read, learn, and know more. Bishop Archbold recalls growing up in South Jamaica wasn’t easy, but he made do. As a young child he overcame several obstacles. including being bullied for speaking Spanish but he did not allow that to stop him. From elementary all the way to High School, Bp. Archbold beat the odds. He excelled in all aspects of his academia, and by the time he was a High School sophomore he already had several scholarships offers, academic and sports alike.

In 1986 Bishop Dr. Archbold left New York City and landed in Fayetteville, Tennessee, where he graduated from Lincoln County High School. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was part of the ranger recon unit known as the ‘buffalo soldiers. He was injured and received a Medical-Honorable Discharge after serving his country in 1988. After leaving the military, he relocated back to NYC where he met and married his wife Melissa of 27 years. They are the proud parents of 3 boys: Danilo Jr., Enrique, and Armando. In the summer of 1997 they moved their family from South Jamaica, Queens to Elmont, Nassau County where they still reside.

In 2002, Bishop Dr. Archbold and his wife were asked to take the role of PTA Co-Presidents in the Sewanhaka School District. In the first 6 months, they (with the help of several volunteers) raised over $42 thousand dollars for the children of Gotham Elementary School in Elmont, NY which they used to provide such programs as tutoring, cheerleading/dance, soccer, basketball, arts and craft, and the school districts first ever neon electric sign. They went on to create one of the first S.T.E.M Programs in the region.

Bishop Dr. Archbold went on to develop partnerships with various across NYC and Nassau County school districts, post-secondary learning institutions such as the Vaughn College of Engineering, NYU School of Engineering, Farmingdale State College, and the entire SUNY system along with local, State, and Federal government agencies. In partnership with Brookhaven National Labs, he works as a committee member of the Long Island S.T.E.M Hub, where he collaborates with various companies, agencies, and learning Institutions to promote S.T.E.M education awareness for children of color in underserved and underrepresented communities across Long Island and the 5 Boroughs of NYC.

Bishop Dr. Archbold has since accomplished a great deal over his young life. He is a former National Officer of the largest African American Denominational (Church of God In Christ) and is currently the 1st Presiding Bishop of The 21st Church Planting – Churches Expansion Nation and International Network with a network of over 500 + Churches worldwide. Bp. Archbold currently also serves in these other roles: National Mental Health First Aid USA Instructor, Inter-Faith Council/ Nassau County D.A.’s Office, Nassau County Police Commissioners Council, New York State Governor Appointee to the Belmont Redevelopment Project, Member of the Nassau County Heroin Task Force, Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships Office of the Mayor of New

York City, Member of the American Jewish Committee NY-AG Black-Jewish Clergy roundtable, Member of the Manhattan InterFaith Advisory Group, Member of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC-LI), and Member of the NYC Department of Health Covid-19 Task Force. In the fall of 2020, Bp. Archbold Partnered with local churches, non-profits, and the Department of Agriculture to distribute over 3,750,000 lbs. of food to over 150,000 families in need all across Nassau County and New York City to ensure food security via the Farmers to Families Program. Along with his wife and others, he also facilitated Mental Health workshops during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to help individuals and families deal with the numerous mental health issues that plagued local communities across the island and started the first ever food pantry in the Sewanhaka School District during COVID.

In conclusion, Bishop Dr. Archbold has a passion to serve God, his family, community, and all whom he encounters. But as an advocate of the Mental Health Movement, he is committed to empowering the surrounding communities in the areas of mental health residing in Elmont, N.Y.

GRAHAM International is a NY S Certified Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) and Designs by Dr. Graham. GRAHAM International is a sustainable lifestyle brand that gives back 10 percent of its sales to charities. Dr. Graham is a small business specialist with nearly two decades of experience across a diverse spectrum of businesses including startups, small, midsize (SMEs) and organizations with revenues up to US $500m. Dr. Graham is also a highly accomplished speaker, mentor, project manager, workforce and personal and professional development trainer. commercialization and technology transfer specialist.

In 2020 Dr. Graham participated on the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network-Youth Initiative, Youth Solutions Program Advisory Panel and co-authored chapter 10, The Entrepreneurial Journey in the Decade of Delivery. She is also a part of the Farmingdale Annual IESC (International Energy and Sustainability Conference) Planning Committee. In 2021, FSC IESC partnered with UWI (The University of The West Indies). Currently an adjunct professor at Long Island University (LIU) Post, Brookville Campus and lectures in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Dr. Graham is also the Treasurer Space Renaissance USA, Space Renaissance International (SRI) and Board Member of The Lifeboat Foundation. Other community roles include: member of The Suffolk County African American Advisory Board; Chair of the Town of Brookhaven Black History and member of the Nassau County District Attorney’s African American Advisory Council.

Some appearances include: Huffington Post, WLIW 21, Newsday, CBS 1010 Win, LIBN, Fiosl-Money and Main Street, Innovate LI, APICS (American Production and Inventory Controls Society), SCORE and others. Dr. Graham is a staunch community advocate and partner and board member of community organizations throughout Long Island as well regional and international. Contributing author to Fall 2022 business guide; “How to Create Your Future with Confidence.” Upcoming Children’s Book, “Sankar the Chimp”.

Malini Shah is a prominent community leader who has worked relentlessly in merging different cultures from around the United States and the world with the intent of unifying global cultures. She is also the Founder of Nritya Kala Kendra Inc/Indo-American Arts and Cultural Forum, a cultural organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the ancient and modern arts of India. NKK strives to enrich an advance the cultural artistic knowledge of the community. Through NKK, Malini intends to serve as a medium of communication between United States and the world by actively working towards promotion of sustaining and unifying culture, arts and history around the globe.   She has dedicated over 40 years as a cultural ambassador to many organizations across the world. She also currently serves as the President of her diamond company Difference Inc.  Malini is involved with many significant New York City cultural institutions. Her passion for helping others and community service volunteer , she served as a  Community and Cultural Liaison for Councilmember Paul A  Vallone, District 19, Ex Officio Trustee Speaker Corey Johnson to the Museum of Arts & Design , Representative for Ex Officio Trustee Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito to the Museum of Arts & Design, sat on the Advisory committee at the Queens Museum, sat as the Panelist for Queens Community

Arts Fund and is Vice-President  at INOC () Indian National Overseas Congress.  Malini is also a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association, member of GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Alumni, a member of Queens’s council on the Arts. Co-Founder of Indo-American Association of Queens NY, Vice- President Felicia’s Promise, Vice- President, Center for the Women of New York.

Malini has worked relentlessly in merging different cultures from around the United States and the world with the intent of unifying global cultures. She is a firm believer that arts and history of any community shapes and transforms society. Under her guidance and leadership, NKK /Ind0-American Arts and Cultural Forum undertakes numerous educational and informative programs all around the country and abroad through programs such as the recent International Children’s Day by the Turkish Women’s League of America & Ataturk School 2014-2022 , International Yoga Day 2016- 2022 ,Asian Heritage month Queens Borough Community

College , the Incredibly successful “year of India” 2012-2013 at Queens College to name a few and  other international festivals in New York, USA and around the world. She traveled extensively all over the world as part of the delegations for Festivals in various countries sponsored by Indian Tourism Development Corporation, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. As a Cultural Ambassador she has traveled extensively to countries which include Kuala Lumpur, Athens, Bankok, Singapore, and the Caribbean to name a few. She has had the privilege to travel as part of the Indian delegation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations headed by the former Vice President of India, Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.  Malini has received many prestigious awards such as Dr. Martin Luter King’s Visionary Award, Women of Distinction in Leadership Award from Center for the Women of New York, South Asian Leadership Award and Citation from Governor Andrew m. Cuomo,  Queens Ambassador Award, Award from Society of Foreign Consuls for Outstanding service to the Society, Whitestone Lions Community Award, Certificate of Merit from Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Assembly Citation for Community Service from Assembly Woman Nily Rozic, New York State Assembly Citation from Edward C. Braunstein, Citation of Honor from Melinda Katz , President of the Borough of Queens ,

‘Jewel of India’ Award, City Council Citations from Council member Barry  S. Grodenchik, Council Member Paul A. Vallone, Council Member Donavon Richards, City Council Citation from New York City Council member Peter Koo for recognition and honor for years of service to the Community, “Outstanding Mother Award” by C.A.P.S.C., Hind Rattan Award for Outstanding Services, Achievement and Contribution and exclusive Award for Leadership in the Arts and Culture from Assemblyman Nick Perry, Outstanding Entrepreneurial  Leadership Award in recognition of Extraordinary Achievements and Commitment to

Strengthening Economic Development as well as Innovation in New York from Deputy Majority Leader Assemblyman Phil Ramos, Congressional Recognition from Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi and Congress Woman Grace Meng , and the Positive Indo Image Award . She is also the recipient of ‘Exceptional Woman Award’ from South Asian American Women’s Alliance.

Malini received two Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts and Child Education in India. Is an (AJP) Accredited Jewelry Professional from Gemological Institute of America.  She spent more than 30 years teaching children in some of India’s most prestigious schools, including the Modern School, one of India’s most distinguished educational institutions. Malini lives with her husband Nilesh Shah at Bayside, Queens. Mr. Shah also shares his wife’s love of global cultures.

Ramona Torres was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on August 31st, where she began her primary studies. She then moved to the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, where she continued her academic studies and graduated from vocational high school with a nursing degree, which allowed her to work for many years in the prestigious hospital system, Clínicas Corominas. Ramona immigrated to New York City in 1993 for a better future for her family. Since arriving, she has worked for 35 years serving the children in this city and in addition, at Queens Hospital Center as a Certified Nurse Assistant, and laboratory and electrocardiogram technician. For over 15 years now, she has had a passion to care for and help others with the help of her two daughters, Carolina and Catheryn; they all do collections such as clothes, toy, and food drives to help

underserved communities in their home country. They have also helped an orphanage that houses physically and mentally challenged children as well as nursing homes in different countries. Ramona has been a volunteer in Queens public schools, nursing homes, and with politicians in New York City. For four years, Ramona was one of the coordinators for the Queens Fashion Show, a runway shows showcasing designers and cultural outfits from all over the world. She has also received a number of recognitions for her cultural work developed in society on behalf of local politicians from the tri-state area: New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Aside from these organizations and her dance group, she continues to donate to disadvantaged people not only in her current borough of Queens, New York, but in a number of Latin American countries such as Dominican Republic, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico. She is an active member of non-profit organizations such as the Dominican Day Parade in Queens, The Global Academy of Firefighters of New York City, the Association of Latin American Leaders, and “Vivir Para Ayudar” (Live to Help). She loves to promote the Latino culture here in the United States and therefore wanted to showcase her country’s music, dance, and passion for folklore, which led her to establish the Dominican Dance

Group in 2008. This dance troupe has participated in numerous events such as opening for Dominican artists, local political inaugurations, patriotic galas and church events for Our Lady of Altagracia, beauty pageants, New York Fashion Week, birthdays, and weddings. This group is more than just dance – it represents the youth who have a passion for the Dominican culture, no matter the age or where they come from.

Atif Ur Rehman was born and raised in Kuwait, before joining the non-profit organization, he worked as a SARSS specialist in the U.S. Army base in Kuwait. He got a gold medal-winning cyclist in Kuwait. Atif is passionate and servitude to humanity. Prior to joining health first, Atif was working for a not-for-profit organization serving the Northeast region. His commitment to our community was amplified during the COVID pandemic, where he was in charge of the mobile clinic, food pantries, and PPE distribution he was recognized by NY State Senator Chuck Schumer for his passion for serving the community. He received several recognitions for his work and spent his time volunteering by giving back to the community. He is a father of 2 and resides in NY with my family.

Assistant Chief Kevin A. Williams, Sr. is a seasoned, community-orientated law enforcement

executive with nearly three decades of service in diverse and progressively challenging operational, investigative and administrative assignments within the New York City Police Department.  Assistant Chief Kevin A. Williams joined the New York City Police Department in July 1996, beginning his career on patrol at the 88th Precinct. He served in the 25th, 28th, 30th, 79th, and 81st Precincts; the Information Technology Services Division, Patrol Borough Brooklyn

South; The Manhattan North Impact Response Team; Patrol Borough Manhattan North; Counterterrorism Division; Patrol Borough Staten Island, Patrol Borough Queens North, Patrol Services Bureau and the Internal Affairs Bureau.  His executive leadership experience is demonstrated by his promotion to Sergeant in July 2001; Lieutenant in July 2004; Captain in June 2009; Deputy Inspector in May 2012; Inspector in June 2016; Deputy Chief in May 2018, and Assistant Chief in June 2022.

Currently, the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, Assistant Chief Williams provides strategic direction and executive oversight of all law enforcement operations and personnel in Southern Queens.  His collaborative leadership style enables him to work cohesively with the diverse Queens community, elected officials, community and faith-based organizations and other stakeholders to ensure public safety and enhance effective community-police relations.  Assistant Chief Williams has commanded the 28th Precinct and the Internal Affairs Bureau – Support Services Bureau. He has served as the Executive Officer of the 25th, 30th and 32nd Precincts, the Counterterrorism Division, Patrol Borough Staten Island, Patrol Borough Queens North and the Patrol Services Bureau.

Assistant Chief Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice from the City

University of New York John Jay College.  He is also a 2014 graduate from the Police Management Institute at Columbia University, 2018 graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University and a 2019 graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Lara Gregory is a lawyer and. community activist, a first-generation immigrant who has lived in the neighborhoods of Elmhurst and Astoria, Queens since 2004. Ms. Gregory is an attorney admitted in New York and is also an accomplished lawyer in the Philippines where she was the Legal Counsel for the Demutualization of the Philippine Stock Exchange, prior to moving to the United States. She is practicing in New York city, litigating in the Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review, the Surrogate Court and in the Supreme Court.

During the pandemic, Ms. Gregory helped the Queens community by hosting webinars with the National Alliance of Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), including free Q and A’s on vital topics like the pandemic unemployment compensation, New York city property tax and interest deferral program and eviction moratorium. Ms. Gregory also helped deliver grocery care packages to seniors and single moms in the Elmhurst and Woodside areas during the pandemic as well as volunteered with the Queens Complete Count phone banking hosted by the Office of the Queens Borough President.

Ms. Gregory launched “Swab and Save Lives” through Legal Good, an initiative directed to reach the most vulnerable in the community regardless of immigration status, to get tested for COVID-19, without cost. She reached out to other AAPI communities, including the South Asian communities through the United Sherpa Association, Interfaith Council for Community Development (ICCD), Ghyalsumdo Sewa Inc., GPK Foundation, and local elected officials, including

Council Members and the Queens District Attorney’s Office uniting with them so that everyone can get tested. As a result, hundreds in the community got tested. When the vaccines became available, Ms. Gregory, together with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (“NAFFAA”, launched the vaccination campaign, “Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!”. For her community work during the pandemic, Ms. Gregory received the “Bayani” or Hero Award in 2021 from the eminent Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS-NY Metro). In 2022, Ms. Gregory was also awarded a citation of honor by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for her outstanding community work.

As part of the Hate Crimes Task Force of the National Federation of Filipino Associations (NaFFAA) and of the Filipino Americans for Racial Action (FARA), Ms. Gregory has been at the forefront of the AAPI efforts to combat hate. In addition to webinars, town halls and the global community launch of the anti-hate crime effort with CNN Philippines, she organized AAPI women led self-defense classes participated by a diverse group of women of all ages.

Ms. Gregory serves as part of the AAPI Advisory Board of the Queens District Attorney and as Chair of the Public Safety Committee of Queens Community Board 4.

Marthe M. Desdunes, Esq., E.A. is a 20 plus year resident of Baldwin, NY. Ms. Desdunes is a litigation and transactional attorney with more than 20 years expertise in corporate compliance, regulatory matters, and development of policies and procedures. Ms. Desdunes’ practice includes real estate law, foreclosure litigation, tax litigation and estate planning. In addition to her private practice, Ms. Desdunes is Legal Counsel to Pierre-Louis & Associates CPA, PC a full-service tax practice that focuses on Assurance Services, Business Management Support, Tax Debt Resolution and General Tax Services.

Ms. Desdunes previously worked for the New York State Assembly where she was the Chief of Staff for a local New York State Assembly Member. She has partnered with state and local governments to provide legal guidance on issues that include foreclosure, immigration, employment law and zoning.

Ms. Desdunes currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Haitian-American Family of Long Island, Inc. (HAFALI, Inc.). An organization that provides services and resources to the Nassau and Suffolk County areas. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the Candice’s Sickle Cell Foundation where she worked to raise awareness about sickle cell and solicited elected officials for research funding. She assisted in raising scholarship funds for students who have sickle cell disease through annual fundraising efforts.

Ms. Desdunes holds a B.A. from St. John’s University and a J.D. from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Ms. Desdunes is licensed by the US Department of Treasury as an Enrolled Agent. She is a member of the Bar admitted to practice in New York State, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York, and the United States Tax Court. Ms. Desdunes is an active member of Theta Iota Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has been a member of the organization for 30 years. Marthe M. Desdunes, Esq., E.