Hundreds joined on Thursday evening to celebrate nearly 50 Bronx leaders ranging from healthcare to law, nonprofits to economic development, business improvement districts and homeless service providers, collectively making the Bronx a better, more economically vibrant borough.<\/p>\n
They united at Villa Barone Manor August 13 to honor the Bronx Power List, a group of nearly 50 singled out this year in a tradition that has lasted more than 20 years, for their impact on the community at the event that also raised money for WHEDco.<\/p>\n
Students from the Renaissance Youth Center sang the national anthem at the event, organized by Schneps Media, honoring many who grew up in and others who moved to or worked in the Bronx later in life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are we here?\u201d Monica Morales, Emmy Award-winning PIX11 News TV host, asked of the group. \u201cWe are here because of community. And we care.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
The event brought people together in one room, recognizing them for achievement and letting them network, deepen relationships and find out what others are doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis event\u2019s helpful,\u201d said Trey Jenkins, executive director of the 161st Street Business Improvement District. \u201cDoing events like this helps by getting our BID out there and continues to help us have people know who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Networking night<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Patrick B. Jenkins, president and founder of Patrick Jenkins and Associates, also said the \u201cevent is helpful for me.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt allows me to network, potentially meet new clients,\u201d Jenkins said. \u201cI just had a couple of conversations explaining to people what\u2019s happening on issues I\u2019m working on.\u201d<\/p>\n While the event is about honoring individuals and organizations, it also gives them opportunities to present their story.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to brand what we\u2019re doing, how we\u2019re doing it successfully, and how to engage other potential allies,\u201d said Cleveland Beckett Jr., president of the NAACP\u2019s Bronx branch, founded nearly 80 years ago in 1947. \u201cI think it\u2019s always important to have an opportunity to meet with people in the community doing great things.\u201d<\/p>\n He said letting people know about what you\u2019re doing is an essential part of building your brand and operations.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt provides awareness,\u201d Beckett said. \u201cOftentimes, people will not be aware of the positive things going on or the challenges you might be facing.\n<\/p>\n Others also talked about the event as a way for movers and shakers to meet. \u201cIt\u2019s exposure to the Bronx community,\u201d said Elizabeth Galati, chief of staff at RiseWell Community Services. \u201cWe wanted to show our presence in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n While many events unite people in one industry, this event stands out for the wide breadth of backgrounds and businesses.\n<\/p>\n Winston Peters, president of the Bronx Economic Development Corp., said institutions such as Montefiore Medical Center, are key hubs.\n<\/p>\n The New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx Zoo and Hunts Point Market are financial hubs as well with Yankee Stadium.\n<\/p>\n Education epicenter<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Education plays a vital role in shaping the Bronx, with local leaders dedicated to creating opportunities, supporting students and inspiring the next generation to give back to their communities.<\/p>\n Dr. Larry Johnson Jr., president of Bronx Community College, said they provide resources to students.\n<\/p>\n Humphrey Crookendale, senior advisor to the president for administration at Metropolitan College of New York, talked about seeing students succeed.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWhat motivates me is that I see the fruits of my labor in what students do in giving back service to this great city of ours,\u201d said Crookendale.\n<\/p>\n Guylaine Harrison, dean of the school of criminal and social justice, at Monroe University, said she started with law before arriving at education.\n<\/p>\n \u201cI went to law school as an older student, I practiced with my husband. I took a leap of faith,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cWe\u2019re very proud of our students.\n<\/p>\n Healthcare hub<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Healthcare providers talked about the benefit of meeting others in other industries, as well as healthcare providers.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis event is helpful,\u201d said Mark Clarke, chief strategy officer for Baltic Street Wellness Solutions, based in Brooklyn. \u201cIt\u2019s great to be around other community service providers.\u201d<\/p>\n Healthcare is a big industry in the Bronx as well, ranging from medical to social services. Dr. Craig Larsen, breast surgical oncologist at New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, said better detection can \u201cturn a life-threatening disease\u201d into something treatable.\u201d<\/p>\n And Dawn M. Pinnock, President and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services, said her group serves about 50,000 New Yorkers, providing housing, healing and hope.<\/p>\n \u201cWe focus on individuals who are chronically homeless, have severe mental disorders,\u201d Pinnock said. \u201cI like to plan ahead, given that we have a vulnerable community.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Henderson, executive director and partner of Vertex, said they operate behavioral health centers, but just opened a mental health clinic.\n<\/p>\n Alicia McGrath, president and CEO of The Center for Family Support, said her group provides support to about 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities.<\/p>\n RiseWell has brick-and-mortar operations and community outreach in the Bronx. \u201cWe have workers who go out in the field,\u201d said Elizabeth Galati, RiseWell chief of staff . \u201c90 percent of our workforce reaches people in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Others said mental health issues can lead to other issues, such as homeless, which all need to be addressed.\n<\/p>\n \u201cMental health is a crucial part of how we operate on the day to day,\u201d said Mark Clarke, chief strategy officer for Baltic Street Wellness Solutions. \u201cIf you don\u2019t\u2019 have a roof over your head, how difficult would it be for you to work, feed your family?\u201d<\/p>\n Networking not on the net<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n While the event is only one day, previous winners said they became a part of a bigger community.\n<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the great things about being part of the Power List is being connected to so many resources,\u201d said Julie Chisolm, site director for Housing Solutions of New York. \u201cThe network I\u2019ve gained through this list is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n She said they have been connected with Adelphi University, Harlem Week, MetroPlus Health, Broadway International and others.\n<\/p>\n Dr. Xellex Rivera, chief program officer for Housing Solutions of New York, was the winner of the Housing Champion Award.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many different organizations we have been able to connect with through being part of this,\u201d Chisolm said.\n<\/p>\n The Bronx Power List was more than a celebration of individual achievement\u2014it was a reflection of the people and organizations working every day to strengthen the borough. By bringing leaders across industries together, the evening highlighted the connections, collaboration and shared commitment to community that continue to move the Bronx forward. <\/p>\n As this year\u2019s honorees demonstrated, the true power of the Bronx lies in the people dedicated to making a lasting impact.\n<\/p>\n