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October 2006
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Black Achievers in Industry awards dinner honors 23
The dinner, sponsored by 1490 Enterprises, honors those who have made significant contributions in community service, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship in the African-American community. Saturday night's dinner also paid tribute to 1490 founder Herbert L. Bellamy Sr., who died in March. The businessman, civic leader and former Common Council member turned his vision into a corporation that operates a Jefferson Avenue community center and provides an array of social services. The 23 award winners, selected by their employers or other sponsors, are: Schuyler A. Banks, a National Grid manager overseeing street lighting and a Bryant & Stratton College adjunct business instructor who earned his MBA from Medaille College. He volunteers on a variety of religious and community boards and spends time working with young people and the elderly. Stephanie Barber, a United Way of Buffalo & Erie County senior vice president who also is president of the Hamlin Park Community & Taxpayers Association. She has a long history of political and community involvement with organizations ranging from Leadership Buffalo to Women for Human Rights to Success by Six. M. "Peachie" Beeks, a 28-year General Mills employee. She was the first African-American woman laborer in the milling department. Currently a blender, she has worked her way up through the company while also holding union leadership posts, sponsoring women's teams in events like the Empire Games and fundraising for causes like the prevention of violence against women. Glynn Bell, a Tops Markets payroll representative who joined the company in 1977. She expects to earn a master's in Medaille College's leadership program in May 2007. She also is secretary of the Strike Force, a nonprofit social club that raises funds for charities ranging from the Sickle Cell Foundation of the Niagara Frontier to Women and Children's Hospital. Allen Callwood, a WBLK radio personality known as Al Wood, who joined the station in 1995. He hosts community events throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario and has a history of community involvement with organizations such as MAD-DADS and Heritage Centers. He also is a special education teacher at area agencies. Denise Daniels-Terrell, a Tops Markets customer operations manager in East Aurora who is also a diversity trainer for the company. After earning a bachelor's degree in English elementary education from Canisius College, she is currently pursuing a master's at D'Youville College. Patricia Deans, a co-dispatch supervisor for Time Warner Cable, overseeing more than 30 dispatchers. Since joining Adelphia Cable in 1996, she has worked her way up through several positions, while also volunteering with the Sisters' Network of Buffalo in the fight against breast cancer. Gladys Jean Diji, who began her career as a nurse's assistant and later went to school to become a licensed practical nurse. She has worked at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center for over 25 years. In 2004, she received the YWCA "Leadership Award" and is listed in "Uncrowned Queens: African-American Women Community Builders of Western New York." David L. Edmunds Jr., special counsel to the law firm of Phillips Lytle LLP. He has served as deputy assistant attorney general and was the first African-American president of the Bar Association of Erie County as well as president of the Minority Bar Association of WNY. He has been cited by Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal in their annual publication of "Who's Who in the Law" and served on the boards of numerous community organizations. Vivian O. Evans, a sales and marketing facilitated enroller for Univera Community Health, a nonprofit organization, where she works to improve access for all to quality health care. She also is a Buffalo Board of Education member, founded Parents for Quality Education Inc. and has served on the National Council of Urban Boards of Education. Keith Gray, customer operations manager at Tops International in West Seneca where he manages human resources, customer service, maintenance, associate training and scheduling. He is a graduate of City Honors High School and North Carolina State University, where he was active in the Society for African American Culture and the National Society of Black Engineers. Craig D. Hannah, a City Court judge and former trial lawyer, assistant district attorney, city lawyer and adjunct law professor at Medaille College. Active in several community organizations, he was recognized in Business First's "Who's Who in Law" in 2002 and 2003. He is a past president of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York and the recipient of its Legal Service Award. Tracey A. Johnson, a program director at Transitional Services Inc., which operates housing for people with mental illness. She directs the agency's Supported Housing Program and holds a master's in human service management from the University at Buffalo. She volunteers with groups ranging from the Homeless Alliance of Western New York to the National Association for Female Executives. Marlon Kerner, who manages five departments as customer operations manager for Tops Markets. Prior to joining Tops in 2005, he was a sales associate at Key Bank. Before that, he was a cornerback for the Buffalo Bills for four years. He earned a bachelor's in consumer affairs from Ohio State University. Dr. Brenda Washington Lacey, founder of SMART Services, which provides academic and social supportive services for students. She has a doctorate in American studies/women's studies with a concentration in learning and instruction from the University at Buffalo and has presented her research at numerous national and international scholarly conventions. Lisa F. Nevins, who has spent almost 30 years with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. In her current role in the NFTA's Human Resources/Medical Department, she assists with carrying out the authority's "Drug Free Workplace" policy, as well as programs that monitor and ensure the physical wellness of the authority's 1,500 member work force. Isoken J. Okundaye, a native of Nigeria who left everything behind in 2003 to pursue an education in the United States. She got a job at a Buffalo Tim Hortons and was promoted to supervisor within six months. She is now working two jobs while attending school and hopes to graduate from Buffalo State College in May 2007 and attend graduate school. Tanya Perri, assistant director of medical services for People Inc. where, concerned about the threat of obesity, she led an initiative to help people with developmental disabilities better understand their nutritional needs. She also has trained residential staff in diabetic care and developed a comprehensive plan of care for the hundreds of people with disabilities served by the agency. Tanya Perrin-Johnson, Buffalo's commissioner of community service and recreational programming. She previously was chief executive officer of the YWCA of Western New York and a volunteer or board member with organizations ranging from HOMESPACE Inc. to the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women. She has been cited as a trailblazer in Western New York. Bonnie E. Russell, University District Common Council member and the first African-American woman elected president pro tempore. She also serves on the board of the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency. Before moving to Buffalo in 1985, she worked for the state auditor and the governor of Ohio and has over 25 years of government experience at the local, state and federal levels. John H. Shelton, who went to work for Thomas Edwards Funeral Home in 1990 after retiring two years earlier from Buffalo Brake Beam after 42 years there. He is an active member of Friendship Baptist Church and its deacon board and an avid bowler. On his 75th birthday, the Common Council proclaimed Oct. 9, 1998, John H. Shelton Day in the City of Buffalo. Sylvia E. Gethers Wright, a corporate contract adviser at Moog Inc., where she has worked for 28 years. Active in the community, she has served as president of the Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Club, on the board of Uncrowned Queens and is a life member of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. The Rev. L. Jean Young, who taught Bible study at Young Tabernacle from 1976 to 2002 and formed the Young Tabernacle Youth Ministry of Visitation, which visited nursing homes, hospitals and private homes. She also worked for 24 years with the University Police Law Enforcement Division of New York State and assists in the family business, Albert Young & Sons Cakes Inc. |
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