The Far Rockaway, Queens-based La’ V’ en Rose Productions, LLC, on March 15, honored singer and actress Melba Moore and 7 different ladies throughout its gala eleventh Annual Phenomenal Lady Awards on the Queens Museum of Arts.
“Melba Moore made it particular,“ Rose Guerrier, the Haitian-American founder, producer, and inventive director of the Award, informed Caribbean Life, stating the gala was “a heartfelt celebration of extraordinary ladies who’re making significant contributions to their communities and professions.”
Guerrier stated the occasion was “crammed with inspiration and empowerment“ and that “every year, we donate to a trigger.
“This yr’s donation will go to The American Coronary heart Affiliation who had been current,“ she stated. “This yr, our theme, ‘All Coronary heart,’ holds profound significance as we deal with empowering and uplifting ladies whereas elevating essential consciousness about coronary heart well being.
“This trigger has develop into particularly poignant for me, as I skilled the devastating lack of my aunt to a sudden coronary heart assault simply two days after final yr’s tenth Annual Phenomenal Lady Awards, which devoted its focus to Breast Most cancers Consciousness,“ Guerrier added. “It was a painful reminder of our collective duty to deal with well being and wellness for girls, significantly as we additionally mourned the lack of a outstanding honoree shortly after that occasion.”
She stated her household, together with her mom, was there to honor her aunt, “and Melba Moore sang her music, ‘Lean on Me,’ in honor of my aunt, to the household, and stepped off the stage to talk with mother.
“It was a really tearful second – one which I’ll always remember,“ Guerrier stated. “Let’s love and take care of each other and ensure we do wellness check-ins. Life is just too quick.”
Guerrier thanked the next for making the occasion attainable: Deluxe Van Transportation; Deck Productions; Actual Desires Occasions; Jzanus; Native 372; CABS Well being Community; My Time, Inc.; PIP Printing Inwood; Shir Le Hibiscus; ICARE Basis; Fusion East; NY Profession College; Pablo Lanouguere Trio; WBLS-Dr. Bob Lee; Make The Grade Basis; Noni fashions; and “our buddies at Creole Fusion.”
Concerning the honorees
Melba Moore
Melba Moore, the Tony Award-winning, GRAMMY Award-nominated siren, has commanded levels worldwide.
She conquered Broadway in memorable roles in HAIR (1967), turning into the primary Black girl to exchange a white girl on Broadway when she changed Diane Keaton in PURLIE (1970), and turning into the primary Black girl to inhabit the function of Fantine in LES MISERABLES (1995).
Moore additionally used the pandemic interval of reflection to work on new music together with her sweetest collaborator and most unbelievable creation, her daughter Charli Huggins, who additionally occurs to be the top of The Gallery Leisure, her impartial label.
The label is ready to launch IMAGINE, Melba Moore’s 2022 undertaking that includes new music and a return to her R&B roots.
Moore is the epitome of an entertainer and a consummate performer. Honored with Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, and Nancy Wilson, Melba Moore was celebrated at Oprah’s now-historic Legends Ball.
Melisand (Melisa) Wilson
Wilson is a proud native of Washington, D.C., raised within the southeast, and resides in Prince George’s County, MD. She is the devoted mom of Gersham (Danny) Wilson, a rare 31-year-old who was identified at beginning with Cerebral Palsy and Trisomy 8, a uncommon genetic situation.
As Gersham transitioned from highschool particular training to maturity, Wilson confronted important challenges attributable to an absence of sources and providers for adults with Mental and Developmental Disabilities.
Annoyed by the inconsistencies in obtainable assist, she acknowledged the pressing want for change, understanding that after commencement, college students are not “entitled“ to providers however have to be “eligible.”
This realization prompted their transition into a standard day program and finally to Self-Path (SDS).
Decided to impact change, Wilson labored with state and federal companies to determine important grownup care providers for her son.
Cynthia Jean, LMSW, LSW
Cynthia Jean based Spring Ahead Consulting and Spring Ahead Hope for Pink, a nonprofit devoted to empowering and supporting ladies by way of all levels of their most cancers journey.
A ten-year breast most cancers survivor, Jean makes use of her private expertise and over 14 years {of professional} experience as a Licensed Social Employee (LMSW, LSW) and psychotherapist to supply compassionate assist to people managing persistent sicknesses, anxiousness, despair, and psychological well being challenges.
In 2024, Wilson celebrated her milestone of a decade of power, resilience, and survivorship, inspiring numerous ladies together with her story of triumph and hope.
Her advocacy and management had been acknowledged with the Management Award of Distinction from Germain Consulting Companies, RN, PLLC.
Wilson practices at TMR Psychological Well being, persevering with her mission to empower ladies, promote resilience, and advocate for holistic therapeutic whereas sharing her story of perseverance and transformation.
MarieAlissa Francis-Alize
Francis-Alize has labored with Jzanus LTD because the Medicaid Billing out-of-state supervisor for 3 years. She has devoted her time and customer support to working alongside Jzanus’ govt shoppers to supply and help with Medicaid billing tips and enrollments.
She has devoted her time at Jzanus LTD to assist their function by sponsoring a number of nonprofit organizations. Her willingness to study from her employer has inspired her to supply providers to her neighborhood.
As a longstanding resident of Far Rockaway because the age of 5, Francis-Alize has assisted her husband by creating jobs for the Far Rockaways. She collaborates together with her husband to sponsor Again to Faculties drives yearly for the youth, mentorships through the summer time packages, and free haircuts on Veteran’s Day for retired troopers and sufferers at St John Episcopal Hospital.
Detective Lynn Blanchette
Police Workplace Lynn Blanchette was born in Rosedale, NY, and raised on Lengthy Island. After working for 4 years as a trainer’s assistant at New Interdisciplinary College, a self-contained college for kids with particular wants, in Center Island, NY, Blanchette attended Briarcliffe Faculty in Patchogue, NY. She acquired an Affiliate’s diploma in enterprise administration and went on to hitch the New York Police Division’s January class of 2006.
Officer Blanchette’s area coaching was on the 103 Precinct in Jamaica, NY. In July 2006, she started her legislation enforcement profession on the 101 Precinct in Far Rockaway, NY, the place she was assigned to Housing Patrol for seven years.
Throughout that point, she was named Cop of the Month and acknowledged for Wonderful and Meritorious Police Responsibility.
In 2014, Officer Blanchette turned a Youth Officer and labored with the Far Rockaway youth all through the college yr.
Shortly after, she joined Police Officer Kevin Campbell within the Neighborhood Affairs workplace, the place she has self-initiated, organized, and efficiently led many neighborhood occasions every year.
Mahadya J. Mary
Mahadya J. Mary, a seasoned skilled with over 20 years of expertise in authorities and undertaking administration, focuses on contract registration and ensures nonprofits adjust to agreements.
Mary serves on a number of nonprofit boards, offering governance and oversight whereas influencing insurance policies to foster financial and neighborhood improvement.
At the moment serving because the senior undertaking and contract supervisor on the NYC Mayor’s Workplace of Small Enterprise Companies, she focuses on contracting, financial improvement, neighborhood branding, and neighborhood engagement.
Mary has additionally been a profitable entrepreneur within the magnificence trade for 10 years, the place she educates people on the significance of skincare.
She holds a Grasp’s diploma in labor relations from Cornell College and has been instrumental in driving important progress and alter for communities by way of data-driven methods and inventive options.
Kenisha Atwell, MD, MPH
Dr. Atwell was born in Trinidad and Tobago. At 9, her household migrated to america, settling in Brooklyn.
A excessive achiever from an early age, she graduated as Salutatorian of Boys and Women Excessive College in 2005 and served as captain of the ladies’ basketball group.
She then attended Cornell College, the place she graduated with honors, incomes a Bachelor of Arts diploma in historical past with a minor in Africana Research and a focus in pre-medical research.
She was additionally awarded the Janet Smith Knitner Director’s Award at Cornell for tutorial distinction and scholar management.
In 2010, Dr. Atwell was chosen for a aggressive analysis fellowship on the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) in Baltimore, MD.
Whereas on the NIH, she labored within the neuropsychiatry division, the place her analysis centered on understanding the mobile and molecular mechanisms chargeable for methamphetamine neurotoxicity and growing therapeutic approaches for psychostimulant use problems.
Enid Glabman
Enid Glabman was born in Brooklyn, attended public faculties, graduated from Hunter Faculty, and acquired a grasp’s diploma from Brooklyn Faculty.
She turned a faculty trainer and taught for over 30 years – first in Brooklyn after which in Bayswater at P.S.104 for 20-plus years.
Glabman has been president of the Bayswater Jewish Heart (Darchay Noam) for a few years, secretary and board chairman of the Bayswater Civic Affiliation for a few years, and at present president.
“I am humbled by having a number of honors bestowed upon me and hope to proceed my service to the neighborhood,“ she stated.