A ‘Night of Elegance’ for Stevenson
Friends and supporters of Democratic Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson are gearing up a big fund-raiser to benefit the politician’s reelection campaign and recognize the contributions of outstanding individuals — past and present.
With funds from the “Night of Elegance Fundraiser Awards Gala,” Stevenson hopes to win reelection to his Bronx seat and continue a deeply rooted family political history.
Stevenson’s grandfather, late Bronx Assemblyman Edward Stevenson, was the first Caribbean-american to serve in the New York State Assembly. The current assemblyman’s father was Edward Stevenson Jr., who served as a Democratic district leader and a Board of Elections commissioner.
Stevenson was elected in 2010 and is preparing for a possible challenge in the primaries.
The May 17 fund-raiser will be held in the Bronx at Maestros Caterers, 1703 Bronxdale Ave., at 6:30 p.m. The event also will posthumously honor the internationally renowned Jamaican poet Louise (Miss Lou) Bennett-coverley and hip-hop music great Dwight (Heavy D) Myers, who was also born in the Caribbean nation.
In addition, a number of individuals will receive the 2012 Outstanding Career Servicing Humanity Awards. Recipients include: actor/activist Danny Glover; Maf Uddin, president of DC 37 union, Local 1407; author and former New York Assistant District Attorney Lauren Raysor, performer Courtney Robb, formerly of the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires band; Roy Hastick, CEO and founder of the Caribbean-american Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey; Bishop Eulalee Stevenson-chang of the Bronx and Garifuna-American advocate Mirtha Colon.
Stevenson, Bennett Coverley’s nephew, said it’s a good time to recognize these individuals whose “invaluable and distinguished contributions to our community remain prominent.”
For information on tickets, journal sponsorship or contributions, contact Beverley Walker at (718) 619-5456 or send email to elegantgala2012@gmail.com.
Scholarship fund benefit
Businessman Roland Brammer and musician Richie Stephens, 2012 recipients of awards from the Comets Club Internation- al charitable organization, will be receiving their honors on April 14 in Queens at the group’s annual dinner.
The annual charity dinner and awards gala is one of two major fund-raisers for the CCI and benefits the athletics development program and scholarship fund for the Montego Bay Comets Athletics Club, founded by a group of Cornwall College student-athletes in 1977.
The event will be held at the Venetian Terrace Ballroom, 86-15 114th St. (at Jamaica Ave.), in Richmond Hill, beginning at 9 p.m.
For tickets and information, call dinner chair Linda Graham at (646) 996-1235 or send email to britney9936@msn.com.
A win for harmony
Caribbean team members from the Central Brooklyn Soccer League won last Sunday’s Soccer for Harmony tournament, defeating a squad representing Mendy’s Deli in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
The Jewish team was defending its title against the Caribbean squad in the second annual tournament, which honors Christopher Rose, a 15-year-old boy who was killed over an ipod in 2005. Held at Hamilton Metz Field, the event was organized by The Seeds in the Middle organization and Errol Rose, Christopher’s father, as well as coach Josef Cabral of the Crown Heights Soccer Eagles youth soccer league.
The tournament also supports soccer programs for underprivileged youth. For information on this initiative and other Seeds in the Middle projects, go online and visit seedsinthemiddle.org or call (917) 697-3745.
St. Kitts draws superstars
Grammy Award-wining music heavyweights Damian (Junior Gong) Marley and Roberta Flack are onboard as performers for the 2012 St. Kitts Music Festival, according to event officials.
The pair joins British saxophonist Courtney Pine and popular Morgan Heritage band in the lineup for the 16th annual festival, being held June 28 -30.
“Hosting such an internationally acclaimed reggae superstar and legendary soul songstress at the same event embodies what the St. Kitts Music Festival is all about — the mix of musical genres, age ranges and the unifying power of music that our festival has come to represent,” said Sen. Ricky Skerritt, St. Kitts’ minister of Tourism and International Transport.
For information about St. Kitts, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, call the St. Kitts Tourism Authority at (800) 582-6208 or send email to info@stkittstourism.kn.
Correction
The caption in last Thursday’s Caribbeat In Focus feature on Colette Burnett’s Super Wings restaurants mistakenly identified Brooklyn Assemblyman Nick Perry as Assemblyman Nick Charles. The News regrets the error.