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Boston Celebrates it Community Leaders
By:  Jacques Dady Jean
 

     On March 21, 1999, The Boston Connection Magazine and The Caribbean Connection International Inc. held the 3rd Annual Multi-Cultural Community Recognition Awards Banquet.  Jacques and Karrie Jean initiated this multi-cultural event three years ago in order to commemorate the first anniversary of their community newspaper. According to Jacques and Karrie, peace and unity are the basic necessities to attract community investment and employment opportunities. These annual festivities have been designed to bring together individuals of different ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds to promote reconciliation, peace, unity and solidarity within our community and to honor citizens who have demonstrated a distinguished commitment and dedication to the social and economic advancement of the Black community.
    The   Caribbean   Connection  International, Inc.’s  Community Recognition Awards has become almost a ritual. The event originally included multi-cultural artistic performances, dinner and the awards presentation, and has always been open to the public.
   “With the support of the community we were able to continue the tradition for  the  3rd year in a row,” said Jacques, the chairman of The Caribbean Connection International, Inc. The affair took place at the  Hyde  Park  Municipal   Building   in the presence of community leaders, elected officials, and other dignitaries, including Thomas M. Menino, the Mayor of the City of Boston, State Senator Brian Joyce, State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, State Representative Gloria Fox, Reverend Cheng Tan, director of the Office of New Bostonians, Reverend Wolf Valmond, Eric Hill of the Mayor’s office Department of Neighborhood Services and many others.
   Twelve community leaders and professionals from the Boston area received certificates of recognition from The Caribbean Connection International, Inc. as well as from The City of Boston, The Massachusetts State Senate and The Massachusetts House of Representatives for their commitment, dedication and outstanding contribution to this community.
   The ceremony began with a dinner prepared by The Star Market on Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester.    Opening  statements  were made by Jacques Dady Jean, the founder of the Annual Recognition Awards,  who praised the elected officials in attendance for their continued support to his initiative.
   “The residents of Boston are lucky to be represented by leaders like Gloria Fox, Dianne Wilkerson and Brian Joyce, they put the community first,” Jean said.
     For the last three years, Senator Dianne Wilkerson and Representative Gloria Fox constituted the cornerstone of this event. Then, last year, Senator Brian Joyce joined the team and has continued to play an important role in making this award  ceremony a success. Finally, Mayor Thomas Menino came on board, his presence is obviously an addition to the magnitude of the event. To conclude his speech, Jacques vowed to continue this tradition as long as the citizens of this community are determined to work for the advancement of the African-American community. Shortly after the opening statements, Reverend Wolf Valmond led the guests in a moment of prayer.
    The U.S. National Anthem and the African Anthem, Lift E’vry Voice and Sing, were played.  Cathy Jessamy Babb, co-host of the event,   introduced   Jeannine  Crisp,   both  of whom are former recipients of the Community Recognition Award.
    Mrs. Crisp, a member of the 1999 Awards Committee, clearly defined the purpose of the Community Recognition Awards. She expressed thanks to Jacques and his wife Karrie for taking this initiative, which  provides  a  forum  to community leaders and elected officials to share their thoughts and to  praise those whom have accomplished a lot on behalf of this community.
    Mickey Ashe, the manager of Star Market (Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester), was invited to the podium. He is one of the citizens who contributed to make this event possible. Star Market provided food and beverages for the evening.
   Economist Yves A Isidor, a native of Haiti and advisory board member of the Community Recognition Awards gave a short history of the organization and invited the guests to enjoy the show.
   The Battle Lords, a group of local rap singers led by Clifford Bernadotte, opened the artistic part of the evening.  They performed several rap songs including one they wrote especially for the awards ceremony.  Storyteller Nora Dooley of Cambridge captivated the audience with two animated short stories. The highlight of the evenings’ event was singer Cheryl Jost, a symbol of pure beauty, her golden voice delighted the guests. Mrs. Jost graciously volunteered to perform for this year’s event.
    Following the artistic performances, the event resumed with the Honorary Awards Committee members who all expressed support to this event. They also presented the award certificates to this year’s nominees, and each nominee was given the opportunity to say a few words to the audience. Thomas M. Menino made a vibrant speech that energized the Caribbean community and invited everyone in the city to get on board in the efforts to make Boston a better place for all of its residents.      Following is a profile of the 1999 Community Recognition Award recipients.
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