red cross awards 08

Rev. Richardson receives American Red Cross Westchester Chapter's Laura & Jerome Holland Award
Two Mt. Vernon students awarded scholarships

Story by Joe Parisi
     The American Red Cross Westchester County Chapter held its prestigious Ninth Annual Jerome Holland Power Humanity Dinner at the luxurious Fountainhead in New Rochelle, NY, on Wednesday, February 27.
     Each year, many gather to remember and honor Jerome Holland at the annual Power of Humanity Celebration, but this year the American Red Cross in Westchester elected to honor his wife, Laura, as well, renaming the event the Laura & Jerome H. Holland Power of Humanity Celebration.
     Dr. Holland embodied the values and vision that characterized his lifelong dedication to the ideals and goals of the Red Cross. His unequaled success as an educator, diplomat, athlete and visionary remains an inspiration to those who strive to build upon his achievements.
     An All-American at Cornell University in the 1930s and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Holland became the first African-American to head the New York Stock Exchange and the American Red Cross. Born Jerome Heartwell Holland in Auburn, New York, he was dubbed "Brudder" by one of his twelve siblings, and its shortened version became his lifelong nickname.
     Despite Holland's prowess on the gridiron, a professional career did not await him after his graduation from Cornell in 1939, as the National Football League remained racially segregated. He consequently furthered his education while coaching collegiate teams, earning a Master's Degree at Cornell and a Doctorate in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to teaching, he served as President of Delaware State College and the Hampton Institute in Virginia before being named US. Ambassador to Sweden in 1970, a post he resigned two years later to become the Director of the New York Stock Exchange. Dr. Holland was also the first African-American to head the American Red Cross, a position he held from 1979 until his death, and was particularly effective in facilitating good relations between the Red Cross and its counterpart in the Islamic world, the Red Crescent. He was 69 years old and the recipient of numerous honors at the time of his death.
     Like her husband, Laura Holland was equally dedicated to the mission of the Red Cross as both an active supporter and as a member of the History and Education Committee of the American Red Cross. As a strong champion of human rights and community development, Laura was very active in the Westchester community, and was the recipient of the first United Way of Westchester Volunteer Service Award.
     The annual celebration at the Fountainhead coincided with the conclusion of National Black History Month.
      The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event was Dianne Young, who sits on the Benefit Committee and is the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Westchester County Chapter. During her opening remarks she stated: "Jerome and Laura Holland dedicated their lives to public service. Their passionate commitment to the principals of freedom, equality and justice for all Americans manifested itself in so many ways. Their work touched people both here and abroad."
     Sandy Miller, a Con Edison official and one of the major sponsors of the event, had the privilege of presenting scholarship awards to three outstanding Westchester County students:

First Place Winner, Jason White, Mount Vernon High School ($2,000)
Second Place Winner, Margaret Brown, White Plains High School ($1,500)
Third Place Winner, Sedicah Powell, Mount Vernon High School ($1,000)

   Jason White, is an extraordinary young man and student. White currently participates in the Mount Vernon High School Future Business Leaders of America as its historian. He is also the editor-in-chief of the Newspaper Club and a member of the varsity wrestling team. His volunteer experience includes three years as a peer educator with "AWARE" - Adolescents who are educated and responsible, and Community That Cares/Family Services of Westchester. White has also been a member of the Yearbook Committee and the Model United Nations Team. Additionally, he is a member of the Fordham University Academic Talent search Program.
    Sedicah Powell, a student at Thorton High School in Mount Vernon is viewed as a fine young woman of good character and intelligence. She is active in the National Honor Society and the Explorers' club, and serves on the Mount Vernon High School Newspaper Club, Yearbook Club, Model United Nations Team and Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Powell also volunteers with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Program, "Adolescents Karing About People," packaging food for the Food Bank of Westchester, and participated in the Relay for Life Cancer Walk. She also volunteers at the Sunrise Family Assisted Living center each week, and is the recipient of the St. Michael's College Book Award.
     Dr. Bettye Perkins, a past Holland Honoree, made the introduction of a tribute video presentation on Dr. Holland. "Dr. Jerome and Laura Holland truly embodied the meaning of "The Power of Humanity" by their example and their legacy,: she said.
     Kenneth Theobold, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Entergy, one of the sponsors of the event, addressed the large crowd and stated: "Dr. Holland was a volunteer leader of the Red Cross, who not only changed the course if its history, but also changed the lives of people focusing on saving lives through improved blood services and organ and tissue donation. During his Chairmanship, he promoted the American Red Cross's mission and message of hope throughout the world." Before closing, Theobold presented an award to the Holland children, Lucy and Joe, who were in attendance.
     Theobold also had the honor of kicking off the awards presentation by presenting the first award to noted stage, screen and television actor, Phylicia Rashad, who was not able to attend due to a current Broadway performance.
   Rashad is a talented Broadway actress who shot to fame with her portrayal of loving mother-of-five and high-powered attorney Claire Huxtable in television's The Cosby Show. Rashad's strong television presence has lent itself to numerous dramatic roles in the years since her role as the member of one of the most famous families in television history.
     Rashad became the first African-American actress to win the Best Actress (Play) Tony Award for her 2004 performance as Lena Younger in a revival of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun."
     As an active participant in charitable and non-profit organizations, Rashad supports the work of the PRASAD Project, an international charitable organization and is a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices. In addition to supporting these organizations, Rashad is dedicated to the importance of the fine arts in education.
     Accepting the award on behalf of Rashad was Dr. Cecelia Escarra, of the PRASAD Project, and Joseph Buga, Executive Secretary of the S.Y.D.A. Foundation.
     The second award was presented to Dolores Brathwaite, Esq., by W. Garrison Jackson. Brathwaite is the Executive Director of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, and the first African-American to head this agency.
     As the guiding force of the commission's education and outreach initiatives, Brathwaite speaks to organizations, schools and service groups on human rights and civil rights issues, both locally and worldwide. Passionate about the future of our children, Brathwaite assists local schools in understanding, developing and establishing diversity and human rights awareness initiatives.
     Brathwaite has received several proclamations citing her distinguished and outstanding contributions to law, business and human rights. She is married to Rev. canon Percy Brathwaite, who provided the evening's invocation.
     Jackson next introduced the legendary Earl Graves, the founder and publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine. "I am honored to present tonight's final Power of Humanity Award to the Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson," said Graves.
     Richardson is senior pastor of the historic Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon and Port St. Lucie, Fl.
     Richardson has been the leader of the vibrant, diverse, multi-staffed ministry since 1975. Prior to his call to grace, Dr. Richardson's past experiences included pastoral positions at Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Richmond Va. and St. James Baptist Church, Vienna Va.
     As a community builder and organizer, Rev. Richardson has been involved in brick and mortar realities of housing development and is singularly responsible for leveling the ground in public education in the Mount Vernon community. His visionary leadership is responsible for two community development corporations which have constructed more than $65 million dollars in affordable housing.
     Currently, Rev. Richardson is on the board of the Institute of Church Administration and Management at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Ga.; the Pepsi Cola Ethnic Advisory Board; the UJAMAA Community Development Corporation; the Harvard University Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute for Church-Based Community and Economic Development; Chairman of the Board of the National Action Network; and Trustee of the Virginia Union University, as Vice Chairman.
      Concluding the festivities was John Ravitz, CEO of the American Red Cross, Westchester Chapter, who congratulated the honorees and award winners, thanked the many sponsors who helped make the event possible and those in attendance.