Celebrating Bronx Residents for Black and Women’s History Months

In recognition of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, community members and leaders in the Bronx were honored for their work empowering and providing access for people of color. The event was a partnership between the Phipps Neighborhoods Sonia Sotomayor Cornerstone, serving residents of Sotomayor Houses, and the Arc of Justice Bronx Chapter, an organization that works to provide non-violent direct action, communications, community engagement, and peaceful civil disobedience to advance social, economic, and environmental justice. 

Honorees included four women who work at the Sotomayor Cornerstone – Monique Farrington, LeShonda Belton, Brenda Ewell, and Marcey Brooks – and the Honorable Verena Powell, a Bronx District Judge. Presenters included City Councilmember Amanda Farias, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and they were also honored by the Arc of Justice. Other guests included former NBA player John Starks and former NFL player Carl Banks. In addition to the awards, there was food, entertainment, and an affirmation/healing table provided by Girl Be Heard, a leadership training program that uses performing arts to celebrate the voices of girls and gender-expansive youth of color.