Jamboree: A Summer Soul Cruise

L-R: Entertainer Jeff Redd, HCCI Board Chair Rev. Dr. Keith W. Roberson, Board Member Rev. Dr. Nigel Pearce, Rev. Dr. Kimberly Holmes, Esq., Board Members: Rev. Shepherd Lee Sr., Rev. Dr. Wendy Kelly-Carter, Ms. Debra Washington, Imam Talib Abdur Rashid, HCCI President/CEO Dr. Malcolm A. Punter, Board Members: Ms. Virginia Montague, Mr. George H. Weldon Jr., Rev. Dr. Gail F. Badger, Deacon Rodney Beckford, Rev. Dr. J. Loren Russell, and Comedian/Scholar Kevin “Dotcom” Brown

Board members of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) hosted their annual Summer Soul Cruise on the Hudson on August 22. This year’s award recipients are Harlem business owners. Mrs. Alyah Hornsford-Sidberry, owner of Cove Lounge, received the Legacy Award and Mr. Leon Ellis, owner of Chocolat Restaurant, received the Entrepreneur Award. The festive luxury cruise included a comedy performance by Dotcom and featured musical guest Jeff Redd.

Founded in 1986, HCCI was established by a coalition of interfaith congregations. Since their founding, they’ve implemented a comprehensive portfolio of programs to provide affordable housing and safe streets, offered opportunities for individuals and groups to become and remain economically independent, increased understanding of and access to health care, and provided substantive educational programs for adults and young people. —TPC Staff

L-R: Pat Stevenson Harlem News, Sabrina Brice, Industral Bank and Willie Walker L-R: Malcolm Punter Jr, Mrs. Aarian Punter, Rev. Dr. Keith W. Roberson and Mrs. Brenda Roberson L-R: Lynda Council, Adrian Council and Dr. Virginia Montague

L-R: HCCI Board Chair Rev. Dr. Keith W. Roberson, Chocolat Restaurateur Leon Ellis, Board Member and Jamboree Committee Chair Ms. Virginia Montague, and HCCI President/CEO Dr. Malcolm A. Punter 18 The Positive Community Fall Issue 2022 www.thepositivecommunity.com