Elmont residents honored at annual black history celebration

The eighth annual Elmont Online Black History Month Celebration, held by Elmont Online and Sen. Jack Martins, R-Elmont, took place at the Elmont Memorial Library, at 700 Hempstead Tpke. in Elmont, on Sunday, Feb. 6, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event included a roundtable discussion of Elmont’s future revitalization needs, and an awards ceremony to highlight successful individuals in the community.

The roundtable included discussions about revitalizing Hempstead Turnpike, redistricting possibilities for Elmont and the community’s increasing number of storefront churches.

Roundtable panelists included Martins; Dean Bennet, vice president for business development and supplier diversity at a Syosset construction management company, and past deputy director of the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs; Carla Cohen, editor and publisher of the Gateway, Franklin Square Bulletin and Floral Park Bulletin newspapers; Sandra Smith, co-chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development; and Muzzio Tallini, owner of Signature Homes, Ltd.

The second half of the program included an awards ceremony, where 10 local individuals were honored for leadership, character and scholarship. Eight local high school students received a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award, including Kevin Johnson, who plays for the Memorial High School football team and is very active in community; Qusarn Caldwell, quarterback of Elmont’s football team; Brian Wint, a Sewanhaka High School football team player; Goldie Harrison, who plays on the Elmont girl’s varsity basketball team; and Dillon Williams, an Elmont varsity basketball team player.

Marvin Lee, a Hofstra University student who is studying business and administration, and Tyrone St. Louis, a York College student and Elmont Memorial graduate, received Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adult Awards. Dr. Marsha Darling, a professor of history and interdisciplinary studies at Adelphi University, received the Elmont On-Line Carter G. Woodson Award.