Youth Initiatives, Intergenerational Cohesion and Business Development are Focuses of Ceremony - Friday, April 17
Trenton New Jersey - March 27, 2009 - Intergenerational leadership, service to community and facilitating transition into twenty-first century better practices is the theme of BOOST's Allies of Humanities Awards Dinner and Ceremony that will be held from 5pm until 7pm at Planet Havana restaurant on Friday, April 17. Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Watson-Coleman will be the keynote speaker for the affair which features a food-drive, new program announcements, networking and full dinner buffet featuring Cuban cuisine.
Planet Havana is located in Trenton's arena district at 449 South Broad Street. Tickets are $25 if purchased by Friday, April 3 and $35 thereafter. Those who want to attend can purchase tickets on-line at www.weareboost.org, call (206) 202-2883 or email allies@weareboost.org. Part of ticket proceeds will benefit the BOOST's youth arts, poetry and prose contest. Secure off-street parking is available.
Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (BOOST) CEO and Found Tim Razzaq says his group is “publicly recognizing outstanding individuals who have made enormous personal sacrifices over an extended period of time to help improve the lives of others. We will collect food for the areas homeless population, unveil unique youth enrichment initiatives and launch a concerted effort to bring a bit of revitalization to the city’s economy encouraging more support existing establishments and inviting new businesses to locate here.”
Trenton's South Ward City Councilman the Reverend Jim Coston will welcome BOOST and the organization's visitors to the area. Mercer County Community College Professor of the Year Alvyn Haywood will serve as Master of Ceremony and several special guest presenters, including the Mercer's first African-American Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Donald "Guy" Generals; will be discuss the College's mission and its vision for the city of Trenton.
Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-Mercer) is the Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly. She was elected to the Legislature in 1995 after a 28-year career in state government, and is a former Democratic State Chairwoman.
This year's honorees are:
Ted Plunkett, Music Instructor at Trenton Central High
School (pictured right)
Dr. Renee Walker of Mercer County Community College's "Project Inside"
David Valdes of the Latino Community Land Trust
Amefika Sababu of Amefika's Restaurant in Trenton
Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds of Classics Used and Rare Books
Anastasia Harrison of Wesketch Architecture + Design and newly elected member of the U.S. Green Building Council's New Jersey Chapter
Father Brian McCormick of Martin House
National Academy fellow and Mercer County Community College Professor Mel Leipzig
Kieanna Childs-Alexander, third Vice-President of the NAACP Trenton Chapter and current Mrs. Mercer County - United States - says "the community received a true gift in Father Brian. His undeniable commitment and dedication to the people of Trenton is probably the greatest gift of all. It is from Father Brian that I have learned an important, lifelong lesson in philanthropy. That lesson is to always search for ways to help and uplift those in need," referring to Father Brain McCormick, who has led efforts to bring hope to some of Trenton's poorest resident's in one of the poorest parts of the city through his Martin House family of programs.
Music instructor Ted Plunkett has at least one fervent admirer who will have the honor of presenting the Allies Award to her long-time mentor. "Ted has impacted two generations of my family," says Karen Baylor, who is affectionately known as the 'band mom' and a board member of Trenton Community Music School. "I went to school with him (Plunkett) at Trenton Central High School and would like an opportunity to thank him for all he has done for the TCHS Marching Band, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. My two daughters have studied with him their entire high school years."
Trenton Makes LLC and JASKO Development LLC, two of the Award's sponsors, have each been working with BOOST in an effort to draw new businesses to Trenton through an intense marketing campaign and by offering high quality and ideally located affordable office and commercial space. The companies also support the group's youth enrichment initiative.
"We operate by the golden rule and believe in giving back to the community," says JASKO President Avner Krohn. "Our experience with the not-for-profit sector is second to none. Our understanding of the build out needs and the funding and leasing challenges of nonprofit organizations coupled with BOOST's acumen for community outreach and public relations are the right ingredients for successfully bringing new business tenants to downtown. We already house Catholic Charities and Goodwill, just to name a few. We are looking to help others get their footing here."
Other Ceremony participants include:
Opening of the Way (Opening Prayer) - Samut Angela Scott
Magical Mother Coaching & Empowerment Services
http://www.magicalmother.com/
Allies is sponsored by:
Brooken Circle Corp
http://www.brookencircle.com/
Trenton Makes LLC
http://www.trentonmakesllc.com/
Royalty Productions & Services LLC
http://www.royaltyps.com/
VA On the Spot
http://www.vaonthespot.com/
Strictly Business Energy
http://www.strictlybusinessenergy.com/
Strictly Business Home & Commercial Inspections
http://www.strictlybusinessinspections.com/
JASKO Development LLC
Web site under construction
Proceeds to Benefit:
We Are BOOST Contest to Camp Campaign 2009Youth Arts, Poetry and Prose Contest
Food Drive for Brooken Circle Food Pantry& the Salvation Army Drop-In Center
How to register to attend Allies of Humanity 2009
Planet Havana is located in Trenton's arena district at 449 South Broad Street. Tickets are $25 if purchased by Friday, April 3 and $35 thereafter. Those who want to attend can purchase tickets on-line at www.weareboost.org, call (206) 202-2883 or email allies@weareboost.org. Part of ticket proceeds will benefit the organization's youth arts, poetry and prose contest. Secure off-street parking is available. Details about the awards can be found at www.weareboost.org
About We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST)
We Are BOOST is a creative community solutions organization that develops and utilizes innovative and customized strategies to build structured relationships between people, organizations, businesses, institutions and agencies that lead to beneficial social, economic and educational outcomes and opportunities in under-served communities and emerging neighborhoods and market.
We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together
Tim Razzaq, CEO & Founder
(206) 202-2883 - timrazzaq@weareboost.org – http://www.weareboost.org/
439 South Broad Street – Suite 201
Trenton, New Jersey 0611
Friday, March 27, 2009
Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman to Keynote We Are BOOST Allies' Awards
Sunday, March 22, 2009
"The Arts as a Driver of Urban Revitalization" - Mel Leipzig
"Joshua's Tattoos" by Mel Leipzig, Allies 2009 Award Winner
We Are BOOST
Mel Leipzig – Artists and ProfessorWe Are BOOST learned of Mel Leipzig through our board member, Professor Alvyn Haywood in the fall of 2007. Mel came on board with us and delivered two workshops, both focused on the theme “The Arts as a Driver of Urban Revitalization.”
One presentation was held at the newly renovated and historic ‘green’ complex Broad Street Bank Building and the other at Classics Used and Rare Books, owned and operated by his fellow 2009 Allies awardees Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds. Join us in honoring Mel on April 17 by clicking here or visiting http://www.gss-set.com/weareboost/ec/proddetail.php?prod=0409-allies.
The critic Jerald Hagarty writes of Leipzig's work, "The appearance of calculated randomness plays against Leipzig's strong rectilinear organization. The interplay is delightful and more, for there are multiple messages here. For instance: opposites not only attract, they also enhance each other. For instance: careful scrutiny of everyday life reveals a secret underlying order." Mel always used realist drawings as the basis for his paintings. If you would like to see one of Mel’s more recent works in real-time display, you can visit the New Jersey State Museum through September 6, 2009 at the 2nd Floor Fine Art Galleries (click here or visiting http://www.nj.gov/state/museum/see_mel.htm). Pictured above from Mel Leipzig’s Selected Works is “Joshua’s Tattoos” (photo courtesy: New Jersey State Museum.)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Allies of Humanity Profile #1: Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds of Classics Used and Rare Books
Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds – Business Owners and Community Builders
BOOST’s founder, Tim Razzaq, met Laurice Reynolds some time in the early ‘90’s while selling Afro-centric books and literature in Trenton. She was one of his earliest customers and remained connected through their mutual passion for community organizing. Eric is Laurice’s son-in-law and owned a book shop in New Hope that was heavily damaged by the well-known flooding of the Delaware River. With Reynolds’s inclination towards community-building coupled with Maywar’s deep knowledge and entrenchment in the book industry, Classics Used and Rare Books has become a hub for community group’s, educational workshops, arts, recreation, and downtown Trenton business district’s growth and development.
Eric Maywar works for the Trenton Downtown Association, where he coordinates the annual Patriots’ Week celebration and was recently appointed to the Trenton Public Library system’s board of directors. Laurice continues to be a voice of “local wisdom” as a result of her extensive knowledge of the players, policies, and practices that has lead to the good, bad, and ugly of our beautiful State Capital’s failings and renaissance. They are, literally and figuratively, the yin and yang of urban revitalization. Join us in honoring them be purchasing your tickets to Allies (April 17) by clicking here http://www.gss-set.com/weareboost/ec/proddetail.php?prod=0409-allies and learn more about this dynamic duo by clicking here or visit http://www.gss-set.com/weareboost/ec/proddetail.php?prod=0409-allies
Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds of Classics Used and Rare Books to be recognized for their outstanding community service and business practices on Friday, April 17.
Please visit http://www.gss-set.com/weareboost/ec/proddetail.php?prod=0409-allies to purchase your passes for the ceremony. Call (206) 202-2883 or email info@weareboost.org.
Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds own and operate Classics Used and Rare Books, located at 118 South Warren Street in downtown Trenton.
Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds own and operate Classics Used and Rare Books, located at 118 South Warren Street in downtown Trenton.
Classics supports community groups and networking with the support of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. Groups that meet at Classics regularly include We Are BOOST, the Urban Studies Group, the Kids Book Club, the Trenton Scrabble Club, People and Stories, and the Trenton Knit and Stitch.
Classics has been a community networking engine that has found jobs and places to live for people in Trenton . They have spearheaded the Trenton Books in Home program, the Celebrity Scrabble Charity Tournament, the Trenton Book Fair and the Trenton Review.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Contest to Camp CURE Campaign Opens Friday March 13 at Planet Havana
Contest to Camp CURE 2009, as the initiative is being billed, will launch on Friday, March 13 from 5pm until 7pm at Planet Havana located at 449 South Broad Street in Trenton's arena district. Contest details including applications, guidelines, award types, and time-lines will be unveiled along with a full Cuban buffet dinner. Special presentations by Rein Triefeldt, who will discuss his kinetic solar sculpture and Lydia Chambers of Back2Tap will highlight the event. Donation is $18 per-per to attend with a portion of all proceeds going to support the Campaign. Please RSVP at (206) 202-2883 or cure@weareboost.org.
“With budget cuts in the City Trenton impacting its libraries, education system and community centers, we feel it is vitally important to address these challenges by turning them into opportunities for people to think creatively, act collaboratively, and begin to develop the programs, policies and practices that will ultimately lead to new and highly rewarding job, career, housing, business, and entrepreneurial opportunities” says Tim Razzaq, founder to BOOST and the lead organizer of the Campaign.
Razzaq says the contest is the natural outgrowth of his organization’s work in the field of educating for sustainability, recent youth poetry contest, and President Barack Obama’s call for community service and his agenda to fight global warming by reducing the carbon emissions. They will be holding a series of events awards ceremonies over the course of the next few months. “The entire process is designed to stimulate thought, discussion and action amongst the City’s young people around the issues of art in education, educating for sustainability, and individual commitment to community service.”
The second rallying point for the initiative will be the group’s first annual Allies of Humanity awards dinner and ceremony on Friday, April 17 from 5pm until 7pm at Planet Havana. David Valdes of the Latino Community Land Trust, Amefika Sababu of Amefika's Restaurant in Trenton, Eric Maywar and Laurice Reynolds of Classics Used and Rare Book, Anastasia Harrison of Wesketch Architecture and Design, Father Brian McCormick of Martin House, music instructor Ted Plunckett of Trenton Central High School, and National Academy fellow and Mercer County Community College Professor Mel Leipzig. Details about the awards can be found at http://www.weareboost.org/.
We Are BOOST is a creative community solutions organization that develops and utilizes innovative and customized strategies to build structured relationships between people, organizations, businesses, institutions, and agencies that lead to beneficial social, economic and educational outcomes and opportunities in under-served communities and emerging neighborhoods and market. More information about the BOOST can be found at their web site, http://www.weareboost.org/.
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Extras
C.U.R.E., or Career Paths in Urban Revitalization through Education, will be a realistic, engaging, and academically challenging community-based, web-supported, and socially interactive program in which students learn the roles, issues, trade-offs, and economics involved in being a productive citizen-leader and life-long learner in a shifting and ever-demanding urban environment. Full programming is slated to begin this summer and last year-round. More details will be announcement in May of 2009.
The jurists for the Youth Contest will be Julian Kernes (Graphic Artist and proprietor of JKE graphics), Laurie Triefeldt (Author of World of Wonder children's book series), Harold Fleming (Trenton Society of Friends) RAHZII (Poet, performing artist & da Humble Lion of da Concrete Jungle), Professor Alvyn Haywood (Human Empowerment Communication Inc.) and Mel Leipzig (MCC College Professor in 2007, elected into the prestigious NATIONAL ACADEMY), Amini K. Sababu (Founder of Positive Black Images CONNECT), and Kienna Childs Alexander (Third Vice President of the Trenton Chapter of the NAACP).
Rein Triefeldt (http://www.triefeldt.com/) is thought to be the first kinetic sculptor to make use of solar panels in order to create motion in his sculpture. Triefeldt has specialized in kinetic sculpture since 1986. The art focuses on the rich but largely uncharted realms of light, rhythm, balance and motion. The interactive and playful elements of Triefeldt’s work make it a popular choice for art and science museums, public parks and gardens. His commissioned public art can be found in many collections around the world.
Back2Tap’s (http://www.back2tap.com/) mission is to reduce the waste generated from the production and distribution of bottled water and water-based products in disposable plastic bottles. Their mission has four main components:
· Increase public awareness about the tremendous waste of natural resources associated with disposable bottles and cups;
· Import and sell reusable stainless steel bottles;
· Partner with companies that provide tap water, water filters, filtered tap water dispensers and drink concentrate products; and
· Increase awareness about the global water crisis and fund projects that bring clean water to areas in need
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