New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his African-American History Month celebration at 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East on Monday, February 12, 2007. Pictured (back, l to r) are: Jane Tillman Irving, Newswriter, WCBS NewsRadio 880; Elaine M. Brown, Vice President, Special Markets, Creative Services, Home Box Office (HBO); Thompson; Reginald D. Shell, Executive Director, Community Options of New York City; Hazel Dukes, President, NAACP NYS Conference of Branches; (front, l to r) Rev. Naomi Tyler-Lloyd, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Bronx, NY; D. Mercedes Franklin, D.M.D., M.P.H., Former Assistant Commissioner and Former Director, Medical Affairs, Oral Health, Programs & Policy, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; and, Philip Banks, President, One Hundred Black Men, Inc. Founding Chapter. Photo Credit: Marla S. Maritzer

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored five distinguished guests last at his African-American History Month celebration, and presented a Lifetime Achievement award to the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Jr., senior minister at The Riverside Church.

The event was co-sponsored by the founding chapter of the New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women, Metropolitan Council of Branches of the New York State Conference NAACP, the New York Urban League and One Hundred Black Men, Inc. It took place at the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers auditorium in Manhattan.

Speaking of the triumphs of African-Americans in the United States, Thompson said: “The victories are many, and they vary in form -- some are institutional, some are individual; some made a ripple, some caused a sea change. All are important markers in the long story of struggle and triumph that make up African-American history.”

An audience of hundreds applauded when Thompson referred to the distinguished honorees as “African-American men and women who are achieving heights that most of our great-grandparents only dreamed about, and are paving the way for the next generation to reach even higher.”

Thompson continued: “We honor the accomplishments of a distinguished group of New Yorkers who, with their actions and their words, are doing just that. They are doctors, journalists, leaders in the public and private sectors, community activists. They have all excelled in their fields, and they are all role models who have inspired those around them.”

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister of The Riverside Church. Rev. Dr. Forbes, Jr. announced his retirement as Senior Minister of The Riverside Church in the fall of 2006 and will officially retire as in June 2007.Thompson said it was a pleasure to honor Reverend Dr. Forbes “in recognition of his valued contributions as a community leader, and a dedicated spiritual leader.”

Thompson honored Dr. Mercedes Franklin, the first African-American woman ever to matriculate in the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She also served as Assistant Commissioner and Director of Medical Affairs, Oral Health Programs and Policy, at the New York City Department of Health. Thompson said: “Dr. Mercedes Franklin has provided outstanding leadership on behalf of her fellow professionals in the field of dentistry, and has achieved great heights in her field.”

Reginald Shell, lifetime Brooklyn native and an advocate for fair and affordable housing, was also honored. Thompson said in addition to serving on the board of New York City’s Neighborhood Housing Services, “Mr. Shell has dedicated his professional life to caring for New Yorkers in need, and given generously of his time and support to civic endeavors.”

WCBS News radio writer and on-air personality Jane Tilman Irving was recognized for her outstanding efforts and pioneering career in journalism. “If you don’t recognize her voice you are not a New Yorker,” Thompson said. Over the course of her career she has worked on several local radio stations and produced segments for the BBC. Her work has earned her many awards including a local Emmy nomination.

Emmy Award winning television executive Elaine Brown was also honored by Comptroller Thompson. She currently is the Vice President of Special Markets in Creative Services at Home Box Office (HBO). “Elaine Brown has provided creative leadership in the field of television and made immeasurable contributions to the quality of programming,” Thompson said.

Siblings Melanie and Rogerst J.B. Charles performed several songs, including “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Melanie is an 18-year-old vocal student at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Rogerst is a sophomore in high school trained to play the alto saxophone, clarinet, bass guitar, piano, and drums.

Photos from the event are available either on the Comptroller’s website at www.comptroller.nyc.gov or by calling Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597.


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