NYCHA’s NAACP branch held an awards ceremony at 1200 Waters Place in the Bronx to round off its celebration of Black History Month this year. The event also honored 10 NYCHA staff and Greg Lassiter, CEO of Grex Jet, for their “unmatched dedication and leadership.”
Marked by music and dance, the event was attended by NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble, Deputy Chief Operating Officer Marvin Walton, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer Lauren Gray, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Kerri Jew, NYCHA NAACP branch executives, and other NYCHA staff. The theme of the celebration was “Strength Behind Us – Greatness Ahead of Us.”
NYCHA’s NAACP branch was established in 1969. Its advocacy focuses on criminal justice, civic engagement, education, health, and economic development. Over the years, it has launched a weekly radio show called Let Your Voice Be Heard, hosted informative workshops for NYCHA residents, and supported youth programing.
NYCHA NAACP Branch President Lynn Spivey.Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble told attendees to seek guidance and inspiration from the past to help them discover “tools and pathways” to resolve today’s challenges.Deputy Chief Operating Officer Marvin Walton and Vice President for Public Safety and Security Chief James Secreto. The night’s honorees along with NYCHA and NYCHA NAACP branch leadership. Eva Trimble, NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer, with one of the honorees of the evening, Geraldine Hopper, President of the Clason Point Gardens Resident Association and Second Vice President of NYCHA’s Bronx North District Council of Presidents. Ms. Hopper (left) works to foster positive and meaningful intergenerational conversations and solutions to improve the quality of life for everyone, from school-aged children to senior citizens. Michael Brown (second from right), who has been with NYCHA since 1996, is currently a Community Coordinator with the Resident Participation and Civic Engagement Department.Andy Destin (second from right) is an Employee Engagement Coordinator in the Employee Engagement Department. He joined NYCHA more than 10 years ago.Ivan Patterson (third from left) is a Caretaker and Shop Steward at Stuyvesant Gardens. He has been with NYCHA for 35 years.Patrick J. Credle (second from right) has worked at NYCHA for more than 20 years. He started his career as a Community Assistant at the Woodside Community Center and is currently a Caretaker at LaGuardia Houses.Chaking Moore (second from left) has been with NYCHA for 27 years. He is a Neighborhood Administrator with the Manhattan Property Management Department. He is also a Change Ambassador and a mentor in the Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (both initiatives of the Employee Engagement Department).Tracy Tomer (middle) started her NYCHA career as a Seasonal Worker in 1994 at Howard Houses. She is currently a Community Associate in the Resident Outreach Services Department. As a breast cancer survivor, she is actively involved in raising awareness about breast cancer at her development. Pamela Boylan (second from right) is a Property Maintenance Supervisor who has been with NYCHA since 2008. She started out as a Caretaker and then served as a Supervisor of Grounds and Assistant Property Maintenance Supervisor. Johnny Wright (second from right) joined NYCHA in 2000 as a Seasonal Aide. He has since risen through the ranks to become a Supervisor of Housing Grounds in the Bronx Property Management Department.Steele Band jammed throughout the night. A dancer from the Bronx Millennium Dance Company captures the audience’s attention with her performance. Members of the Bronx Millennium Dance Company performing at the celebration.
