Caribbean-Americans Impact on HARLEM

Founder at Chocolat Restaurant & Bar

Ellis’ impeccable work ethic and great relationships with the community has earned him a reputation as one of Harlem’s most upstanding business leaders. Some of his ventures include MOCA Bar and Grill, a full service lounge which has become the destination of choice for people who want to entertain friends and business associates in a fun, trendy, and appealing environment. His entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond just food and hospitality. He is also the owner of Harlem Underground - the largest line of the Harlem USA merchandise in the country for over 22 years.

Representative - 13th District

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat proudly represents NY’s 13th Congressional District. Rep. Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, and the north-west Bronx. He is a staunch advocate of a fair living wage, immediate and effective investments in affordable housing, meaningful criminal justice reform, infrastructure improvements, expanded youth programs, and better educational opportunities.

Born in Panama City, Dr. Riggs is an active member of several civic organizations and the Army Reserve. He was a co-founder in 1983 of the Small Business Stock Exchange of America, providing growing and emerging companies with expansion capital. He has been active in a number of civic and professional organizations, including the 100 Black Men, the American Association of Securities Dealers and the American Dental Association. He sits on the Boulé Foundation Board. He and hiswife, Carole own a dental company in Harlem.

Senior Vice President at NYC H+H (Retired)

Soares has spent 42 years, a lifetime in nursing and hospital administration. The senior vice president of the Generations+ / Northern Manhattan Health Network, executive director of Harlem Hospital Center and the Renaissance Health Care Network, and a HHC corporate officer, she was the first nurse in the history of Harlem Hospital to hold the position. Her role included the operational and fiscal oversight of the hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers in the network and nearly 20 community and school based health centers in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx.

Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court

Sweeting was elected from the historic 10th Municipal Court District in Harlem, NY. She the first and only legal practitioner admitted to practice law in both the federal and state courts in New York; Washington, D.C.; the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd, 4th Circuits; the US Supreme Court; and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. She previously presided, for five years, in the New York County Family Court, over cases involving the most intimate disputes about child custody, visitation, guardianship and domestic violence.

Visual Artist/Activist

Marta Moreno Vega is the founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI). She led El Museo del Barrio, is one of the founders of the Association of Hispanic Arts, and founded the Network of Centers of Color and the Roundtable of Institutions of Colors. In 2011 Vega was one of five New Yorkers featured in the HBO documentary called The Latino List. In 2012, Vega gave a talk at the TEDxHarlem. She has received numerous honors from various organizations.

Leader,

Wright is the current Leader of the New York County Democrats, a position he has held since 2009. From 1992 through 2016, he served as a Member of the New York State Assembly. Wright served as Co-Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee from 2012-2014. A lifelong Harlem resident, Keith has made strides in increasing worker’s rights, criminal justice reform, helping small businesses and creating affordable housing for not only his district but also all of New York.

Voza Rivers is a leading theater, music, and events producer and documentary filmmaker, born in Harlem, New York. Rivers is the executive producer and founding member of the New Heritage Theatre Group and executive producer and co-founder of IMPACT Repertory Theatre, the Oscar-nominated youth division of New Heritage Theatre Group led by U.S. director, activist and educator Jamal Joseph. He has produced and co-produced theater, music, and television projects, film festivals, and music tributes in the United States, Japan, South Africa, and the UK.

MICHELLE D. STENT, J.D., M.P.A. (St. Lucia) Attorney

Stent is a federal, state and municipal government representative with a specialty in government relations, political and policy advocacy, legislative drafting, community outreach, grants, press, communications and nonprofit administration. Currently Project Manager for former Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Statesman-in-Residence, City College of New York, she was previously Assistant Director, Community Relations Coordinator at MetroPlus Health Plan and a management consultant specializing in government relations and public policy.

Founder, National CARES Mentoring

Taylor was born in the Harlem neighborhood to a Trinidadian mother and a father from St. Kitts. She grew up in East Harlem, where her father owned a clothing store. She owned one of the first companies to create beauty products for African American women. She became editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine in 1981 -2000. During her tenure, she succeeded in building the Essence brand. She left in 2008 she left Essence to concentrate on her nonprofit organization, the National Cares Mentoring Movement.

President/CEO, Harlem Chamber of Commerce

Lloyd A. Williams, has served as the President and CEO of GHCC Williams for over 25 years. He is also the Vice-Chairman of Harlem Arts Alliance, (HAA), an organization dedicated to artistic growth and development in Harlem and surrounding communities. The organization consists of over 800 richly diverse emerging artists, as well as internationally acclaimed performers. He is considered a prominent figure in the community - a leader and role model.

First Deputy Mayor

Deputy Mayor Wright previously served as the first female president and CEO of United Way of New York City and president and CEO of Abyssinian Development Corporation. Before joining the Adams administration, she was appointed to the city’s Education Sector Advisory Council and the state’s New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board. She’s lived in Harlem since she was 17 and attended Columbia University.