The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce on Thursday helped wind down Black History Month by recognizing a diverse group of Brooklyn business and community leaders at Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights.
Brooklyn is hemorrhaging Black individuals, losing 69,000 Black residents from 2010–2020, the largest drop among all five boroughs, according to the NYU Furman Center. That gives the annual celebration of Black achievement greater importance, as it highlights the continued positive impact of Black residents in Brooklyn amid a shrinking demographic.
Dr. Raymond Codrington, president and chief executive officer of Weeksville Heritage Center, highlighted the $1 Million dollar investment from Governor Kathy Hochul and the state of New York, while Randy Peers, president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the impact of the honorees and how the organization is committed to empowering minority-owned businesses in the borough.
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce was also represented at the podium by other chamber officials, including Ana Oliveira, board chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
Honorees
This year’s celebration recognized four honorees whose work spans public service, business leadership, environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship, each shaping Brooklyn in meaningful and lasting ways.
Kelley Pierre, founder and chief executive officer of All Access Golf, received the Small Business Leader Award. Pierre recounted how he initially got into golf as a means to network after unsuccessfully searching for a job. He wanted to redefine access and representation in a sport historically lacking diversity, he said.
Through youth development initiatives and community partnerships, Pierre introduces golf as both a recreational outlet and a professional pathway for underserved communities.
His organization provides mentorship, training opportunities, and exposure to career networks connected to the golf industry, opening doors to scholarships, business relationships, and professional growth.
Morgan Monaco, president of the Prospect Park Alliance, received the Community Champion award. She said Weeksville and the Alliance share a synergy, where both institutions work hard to preserve Black history and culture.
"We run the Lefferts Historic House. We are in the business of trying to tell untold stories of the enslaved Africans who built the Lefferts farmstead and who built the Brooklyn economy. And it's just an honor during Black History Month to be acknowledged for the work that we do in such an incredible, sacred space, such as Weeksville," she said.
Kenneth Marable, a financial planner at Prudential Advisors, received the Samuel L. Dunston Award for Business Excellence for a career helping Black families protect themselves financially. From savings, investments to living in retirement, Marable has provided financial strategy for individuals and small businesses for many Black Brooklyn families.
Michael Garner received the Public Service Leader Award. Garner became the Chief Business Diversity Officer for the city, a newly created role by former Mayor Eric Adams in 2023. He was reappointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdami, and plays a critical role in ensuring equitable opportunities within city contracting and economic development, and to expand access for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs).
Each honoree and benefactor sponsor received a ceremonial Ghanaian Kente cloth, presented by Jerry Kwabena Kansis, a Ghanian/African Diaspora leader and community advocate. Traditionally worn to mark significant achievements and milestones, the Kente cloth carries symbolic meanings through its colors and patterns, representing values such as leadership, unity, wisdom, and perseverance.
The night closed with a dance performance from Bashi Arts, who provided a moving piece set to the African American spiritual Wade In The Water. After the performance, sweet offerings from Kente Cones, an ice cream shop based in East New York, were offered to guests.
