Saturday, July 8, 2023 ~ 12pm-6:00pm.
Nos Quedamos is delighted to announce that its annual community-wide recognition of the people and organizations who make the South Bronx a better place, the HARVESTING CULTURE AWARDS—Celebrating Community, Culture & Commitment—are scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 8th from 12pm-6pm in Yolanda García Park (named after Nos Quedamos’ founder and first executive director)! And we couldn’t be happier than to recognize and honor the gems of our community who have dedicated their lives and efforts on behalf of Melrose Commons and the South Bronx across a multitude of service areas and vocations.
This year, the annual awards take place as part of Nos Quedamos’ 30th anniversary celebrations (NQ 3.0) during its WE ARE MELROSE Community Festival, with the very fitting theme: “WE STAYED: And Flourished. NQ 3.0 Past | Present | Future.”
Every year, one of the awards is dedicated to a young “rising star” whose efforts, in practice, already demonstrate an ardent commitment to their community in their chosen field and/or focused endeavors. Together, these community-based awards showcase the contributions of the people and institutions whose ongoing service makes the region a better place to live, work and play!
Please take a moment to read about these spectacular individuals and organizations below, and mark your calendar to join us in honoring them during a day-long celebration full with music, dance, poetry, family-friendly activities, and more! Take a look at last year’s awardess HERE.
2023 HONOREES (alpha order)
- Danny Barber
- BronxNet Community Television
- Harry DeRienzo
- Sandra Erickson
- New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA)
- Gilda Norris
- Elena Martínez
- Bobby Sanabria
- Petr Stand
- Carmen Vázquez
- Anna Vincenty
Danny Barber
DANIEL M. BARBER was born July 17, 1969 to the late Dan Walker and Janie Barber-Walker. Daniel Barber, the youngest of 5 children (Gail Eddy of Atlanta GA, Keith Massey of New Jersey, Laura Davis of Bronx NY and Sandra Massey of Bronx NY), grew up caring at a young age for others before worrying about himself. Daniel Barber attended the Franklyn D. Whalen day care center and later moved on to Public School 156 where he excelled as a student. Daniel Barber attended the Salvation Army as a child. He joined the Youth choir, Puppet Ministry, Bible club and was a host of other activities and programs. In 1980 Daniel Barber went on to attend Middle School at IS 183 where he was liked by all and helped those whom needed it. Daniel Barber while attending school worked as a porter at The Salvation Army for the after school program and volunteered feeding the Homeless; both at the location and at a Mobile Feeding in the Bronx and Manhattan Daily. If it was helping others Danny wasn’t far behind to loan a helping hand. Daniel Barber then chose to attend De-Witt Clinton high School where he was a Member of the Football team. He was also on the principal’s Honor Roll, Daily News Honor Roll and proud Supporter of the other Sports programs while at Clinton. Daniel Graduated with Honors in 1987 with a full Paid Scholarship. While Attending high school Daniel Barber Excelled at the Salvation Army where he did it all from working in the After-school to Summer Day Camp program where he later became the Director and the Assistant to the Commanding Officer.
Daniel Barber took ill and for Health reasons left the Salvation Army and moved on to less demanding and stressful Atmosphere as Manager at Apollo Car Rental and Detail Services for 2 years until their closing. Do to medical restrictions Daniel Barber ran for President of Andrew Jackson Houses Resident Association Inc. where he wasn’t successful as President and won the Vice-President position and later that year due to health reason with the President Mr. Daniel Barber became President of the Resident Association where he has been assisting not just the residents of his development but of Public housing in a whole. Daniel Barber with his love for the Youth and people in general, has shown a great deal of Love and concern for NYCHA’s senior population and the city as a whole. During all this Daniel Barber still assisted his Sister Sandra Massey taking care of his Mother till the time of her passing in 2013 and still takes care of his little brother Kenneth Massey (whom is multiple handicapped with several ailments and now relies on his Guardian, Mr. Barber). Daniel barber is not just the President of the Andrew Jackson Houses Resident Association Inc. but is Founder of SOY lnc.(Save Our Youth) and is also Vice-Chair of The South Bronx Council of Presidents (overseeing 34 housing developments and some 65 thousand residents), Citywide Council of Presidents Youth Chairman (Dealing with the youth living in NYCHA’S developments for the entire city), Community Board 1 member, Community Assistance to Marshall England, Mentoring and Youth Support PS/MS 29, Mentor life Camp INC. ( I Love MY Life), Council Member Arroyo’s round table, President Bronx Works Classic Center Advisory Council, Member Hiring panel for SOS South Bronx (Save Our Streets) and several other Agencies and Organizations giving technical and moral support as well as guidance. Mr. Barber a big man with a even bigger heart took on a campaign after a fellow Resident leader spoke about one of her residents, a young lady needing a bone marrow transplant. Mr. Barber wouldn’t stop till they found a perfect match now this young lady has regained her youth. Where she was told she couldn’t be physical or even play before the transplant and she now runs, jumps and can be a child again. Daniel Barber has been a member of the community for his 45 years on this earth and has helped all those that have come in his path or those he’s heard of and their situations from other parties. If he can do it, then it is done. All the work that is done by Mr. Daniel Barber and all of his endeverous that he tackles and completes are done on a Voluntary Basis. Daniel Barber still keeps the same admiration, dedication, love and commitment that he entered into his role as President some 14 years ago. If you have an issue or you think that you’ve been treated unjust then Daniel Barber is the Man to help you fight for justice. He wont stop until the situation is resolved. He’s dedicated to training the residents to make the difference one day at a time.
Barber’s Motto: “If you change the way people think and change their mindset then you change the Community and its outcome.”
BronxNet Community Television
BRONXNET COMMUNITY TELEVISION For 30 years, BronxNet has been providing the borough with media training, workforce development opportunities and Bronx-specific content since 1993. Bronxites watch BronxNet shows on Channels 67, 68, 69, 70, 951 and 952 on the Optimum system and on Channels 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137 and 2138 on the Fios system, in the Bronx.
The organization has a threefold mission:
● To produce public affairs programming addressing the concerns, interests, and cultures of the people of the Bronx
● To provide media training and resources for residents interested in producing their own content
● To train college, high school, and other students, in all aspects of television production and broadcasting, in preparation for media careers
Our services are available at our Network Operations Studios at Lehman College in the
Northwest Bronx, at our Windows on the East Bronx Studios at Mercy College in the Hutchinson Metro Center, and soon, at our brand new BronxNet Media + Technology Studios at La Central, near the Hub in the South Bronx.
BronxNet’s award-winning signature content focuses on health, education, social justice, economic development, and more, and connects the Bronx to the world. Training and technological resources provided to Bronxites allow individuals to utilize cameras, post-production systems and studios to share their voices and views with neighbors. Our hands-on internship programs open the doors to media careers for participants, launching their careers as reporters, anchors, videographers, editors, producers and more at many major media outlets. Immersive media stages at the new La Central location are bringing opportunities for Bronx artists, filmmakers, and everyone, to create virtual worlds for next-level media content.
Visit www.bronxnet.tv for more information.
Harry DeRienzo
HARRY DERIENZO began his career in community development working with residents on Kelly Street in the South Bronx in the early seventies. Organizing around the motto of “Don’t Move, Improve,” at a time when the South Bronx was losing thousands of units of housing each month to fires and abandonment. Harry is one of the founders of Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association, Inc., a group that would assist in the preservation and redevelopment of thousands of affordable housing units and become a national and international model for self-help community development. Harry served first as the founding Executive Director and later, as a board member and Treasurer for the organization, resigning as Executive Director in 1982, and resigned but remained a resident of Kelly Street for the next 35 years.
In 1982, Harry was recruited to head up the Parodneck Foundation for Self-Help Housing and Community Development, Inc. (then known as the Consumer-Farmer Foundation). As Vice President/CEO of the organization and later as President, Harry undertook to further build the organization on the philosophy, mission, and experience of its former leader and founder, Meyer Parodneck, and to further its work consistent with the organization’s 60+ year history of consumer rights, self-help, mutual aid and cooperation. During Harry’s tenure at the Parodneck Foundation, he was responsible for a number of innovative programs and initiatives.
Beginning with the creation of a city-funded home improvement program exclusively targeted to at-risk seniors; development with Fannie Mae and participating local banks of a pilot program, which would later become a national program, designed and implemented to assist victims of predatory lending; the preparation and passage of the city’s first 197-a plan, and the rescue and further development of CATCH – a citywide mutual housing program – into a city wide MHA with over 800 units of resident controlled rental housing in the South Bronx, Harlem, Washington Heights and Central Brooklyn.
In November of 2002, at the request of the New York State Attorney General’s office, Harry returned to Banana Kelly to help rescue it from bankruptcy. Working with former Borough President Fernando Ferrer and others on the reconstituted board of directors, Harry was able to arrange for the financial packaging and rehabilitation of Banana Kelly’s 560 then-distressed units, a $46 million package that has all of these buildings back on the road to financial viability. The group has since built on this turnaround to develop a number of new projects, some on its own and others with not-for-profit and for-profit development partners: its first new construction project with city bond financing; the purchase and refinancing of two major overleveraged projects that were rescued from speculation and tenant harassment; the conversion of over 150 units of homeless shelter units into rent regulated housing; working with a local group in East Harlem, developing the city’s first (recent) community land trust project, and more, while continuing its work in providing services to the homeless and disabled. From a staff of 6 and housing portfolio of 566 units in 2002, Banana Kelly by 2020 had three offices, a housing portfolio of over 1600 units, and a staff of about 40 employees, not counting building service employees. But more importantly, the organization was returned to its roots, to the community it serves. The CEO is an African-American woman, one of the smartest and dedicated people Harry has ever worked with, who started with the organization as a student intern living with her children in a domestic violence shelter. She was never offered a job after that. She just took on more and more responsibility over the course of 15 years until it just made sense for her to take over as CEO. When brought back into the organization in 2002 by the New York State Attorney General, we had a small board of professionals. As of 2021, the majority of the board are women, mostly women of color, mostly neighborhood residents, with a plurality of the board made up of our own tenants, drawn from our resident leadership group, the Resident Council.
Sandra Erickson
SANDRA ERICKSON began her career in real estate 45 years ago as a Realtor
with aspirations of owning her own business. In 1984, she attained that goal
by starting Sandra Erickson Real Estate (SERE) In addition to an active
property owner/ management business, Ms. Erickson is currently developing
and preserving multi-family, affordable housing in the Bronx. Through this
and other housing preservation programs, Ms. Erickson has been a partner in
the revitalization of neighborhoods while continuing a commitment to
quality, affordable housing. In addition, SERE is excited to be part of a
team developing affordable home ownership opportunities in the Bronx.
She shares her enthusiasm for growth in the community – real estate,
economic development, small business services and community affairs –
with her participation in numerous organizations.
Ms. Erickson is a 23 year Board Member of Bronx Community Board 7,
Vice Chair of the Land Use, Housing & Economic Development Committee.
Sandra is a charter member and Vice President of the Bronx Chamber of
Commerce along with serving as Vice Chair of the Bronx Chamber
Foundation. She is the Vice Chair of BIC NY (an affiliate of BOEDC), an
SBA 504 lender.
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA)
Founded in 1991, the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA) is a non-profit citywide membership network linking grassroots organizations from low-income communities of color in their struggle for environmental justice. NYC-EJA empowers its member organizations to advocate for improved environmental conditions and against inequitable environmental burdens by the coordination of campaigns designed to inform City and State policies.
Through our efforts, member organizations coalesce around specific common issues that threaten the ability for low-income communities of color to thrive. NYC-EJA is led by the community-based organizations that it serves, with its board elected by its member groups, who set policy and guide program development. What distinguishes NYC-EJA is our ability to:
- Create, nurture, and organize a collective voice to mobilize citywide support to resolve environmental justice issues.
- Highlight key environmental justice issues and policies that arise in multiple communities, or impact citywide conditions, requiring innovative and creative problem solving.
- Involve people of color and other stakeholders directly affected by environmental justice issues in leadership roles to resolve them.
For over 30 years, NYC-EJA has been at the forefront of New York City & State campaigns to advance environmental & climate justice. Our recent campaign accomplishments have re-defined environmental & climate justice advocacy in NY – our leadership has included:
- The Waterfront Justice Project, (NYC’s first citywide community resiliency campaign)
- The Sandy Regional Assembly
- The historic 2014 People’s Climate March (the largest climate mobilization in history, with over 400,000 marchers in NYC alone)
- NYC’s first “waste equity” law (reduced waste transfer station capacity in NYC’s most overburdened communities)
- Transform Don’t Trash NY (the largest proposal to overhaul NYC’s commercial waste system in decades)
- PEAK Coalition (fighting to replace polluting peaker power plants with clean renewable energy and battery storage)
- Last Mile Coalition (fighting to regulate the explosion of last mile trucking facilities in environmental justice communities, which has added hundreds additional truck trips weekly)
- ElectrifyNY (statewide coalition advocating for the full electrification of public and private vehicles in NYS)
- Climate Works for All (won the 2019 NYC Climate Mobilization Act, the most ambitious climate action plan by any major U.S. city),
- NY Renews (lead for the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, CLCPA, the most aggressive climate action law among U.S. states, which inspired President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative),
- The NYC Climate Justice Agenda (NYC-EJA’s annual compilation of City Hall-proposed climate policies – good, bad & indifferent – and how to improve outcomes for communities of color).
Gilda Norris
GILDA NORRIS, now retired, had been an active public servant as an MTA employee for over 30 years. Born in NYCHA Melrose Houses and raised in Andrew Jackson Houses she witnessed the destruction of the South Bronx first-hand. She found out about We Stay Nos/Quedamos from a neighbor who showed her a newspaper clipping of a small community organization on Courtland Avenue that was building houses. In 2000 she was asked to serve on the board, she said at that moment she felt it was her duty and could not say no. She joined We Stay/Nos Quedamos and became actively involved in the planning and rebuilding of her community. After implementation of the Melrose Commons Urban Renewal plan, our organization’s founder Yolanda Garcia assisted Ms. Norris in her life-long dream to become a homeowner in her community of Melrose and made it possible to stay.
Her passion was brought about from knowing that if she did not step up and get involved there would not be much community left for children in the future and families who wished to stay. She says, “Everyone wants to get their education and become successful as a way to get out. But there is no place like home. I tell my people when you make it you need to come back and give back to our children. Become a role model, inspire someone and help our children because they are our future.”
Through our organization’s successes, through the transition and now through our rebirth Ms. Norris has been a true example of leadership, commitment and perseverance.
Elana Martínez
ELENA MARTÍNEZ is the Co-Artistic Director of the Bronx Music Heritage Center and a Folklorist at City Lore. Her work at City Lore has included getting Casa Amadeo (the longest continually-run Latin music store in NYC) nominated to the National Register of Historic Places (the first nomination relating to the Puerto Rican experience on the mainland); and nominated master Puerto Rican lacemaker (the art of mundillo) Rosa Elena Egipciaco for a NEA National Heritage Award.
She co-produced the documentary, From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale, which aired on PBS in September 2006 and won the NCLR’s (National Council of La Raza) 2007 ALMA Award for Best TV Documentary. She was a producer for the documentary, We Like It Like That: The Story of Latin Boogaloo, which premiered at the SXSW Festival in 2015. She was also a producer on the short documentary, Eddie Palmieri: A Revolution on Harlem River Drive (Red Bull Academy 2016). Elena curated the exhibition, “¡Que bonita bandera!: The Puerto Rican Flag as Folk Art,” and was the Assistant Curator for the exhibit, “Nueva York: 1613-1945” at El Museo del Barrio (2010). She co-curated the exhibit, Las Tres Hermanas: Art & Activism, with Joe Conzo Jr. which was featured at the Bronx Music Heritage Center and the Center for Puerto Rican Studies in 2017.
A current project involves researching the Afro-Puerto Rican participation in the 369th Regimental Band (the “Harlem Hellfighters”) during WWI. She has been working with the 369th Regimental Historical Society and the World War I Centennial Commemoration “369th Experience” to archive the music sheets from the Historical Society and received a 2015 LARAS (Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) grant to aid in their preservation.
Bobby Sanabria
BOBBY SANABRIA is an eight time Grammy-nominee as a leader. Known as a drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, documentary film producer, educator, activist, and bandleader, his versatility as both a drummer and percussionist, from small group to big band, has become legendary. A native son of the South Bronx born to Puerto Rican parents, he has performed and recorded with every major figure in the world of Latin jazz and salsa, from the founder of the Afro-Cuban/Latin jazz movement Mario Bauzá, to Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O’Farrill, Ray Barretto, Candido, to Larry Harlow, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, and jazz luminaries as diverse as Henry Threadgill, Charles McPherson, Randy Brecker, Joe Chambers, Jean Lucien, The Mills Brothers, and others. DRUM! Magazine named him Percussionist of the Year (2005); he was named Percussionist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2011 and 2013. In 2006, he was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame. He was a recipient of the 2018 Jazz Education Network (JEN) LeJENS of Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a musician and educator. In 2008 Congressman Dennis Kucinich honored his work as a musician and educator by reading his name into the Congressional Record and in 2018 the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus honored him as a musician, educator. Every single one of his big band recordings, seven in total, have been nominated for Grammys.
His 2018 recording, ‘West Side Story Reimagined,’ reached #1 on the national Jazz Week radio charts, was nominated for a 2018 Grammy, and won the prestigious 2019 Record of The Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association. Partial proceeds from sales of this double CD went to the Jazz Foundation of America’s Puerto Rico Relief Fund for musicians. He is the Co-Artistic Director of the Bronx Music Heritage Center and the forthcoming Bronx Music Hall. His lifetime dedication to spreading the history, culture, of jazz and Latin jazz to the general public as a performer, as well as educating a new generation of players, composers, arrangers, has no parallel. A member of Max Roach’s legendary M’BOOM percussion ensemble, he is on the faculty of the New School (his 26th year) and was on the faculty of NYU, his alma mater Berklee, and was on the faculty of the Manhattan School fo Music for 20 years where he conducted/taught the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra receiving two Grammy nominations for recordings he did with directing his students. He is also the on air host of the Latin Jazz Cruise on WBGO FM and wbgo.org, the number one jazz station in the nation. Lehman College in NYC has recently awarded Maestro Sanabria an Honorary Doctorate. His forthcoming work, which will be released in the Spring of 2023, is a double CD with his Multiverse Big Band entitled VOX HUMANA. Recorded live at Dizzy’s Club-Cola in NYC, it features three of jazz’s finest contemporary vocalists – Janis Siegel from the Manhattan Transfer, blues and jazz Queen Antoinette Montague, and multi-lingual powerhouse Jennifer Jade Ledesna.
Petr Stand
PETR STAND has over 40-years’ experience in the fields of architecture, urban design, and development, and has worked for state and municipal agencies, engaged in healthcare, residential and urban design, led an architectural design studio at the City College School of Architecture, chaired the board of a non-profit local development corporation in the northwest Bronx, conducted urban design studies for the Bronx Harlem River Waterfront and Glen Cove, Long Island and was a partner in a Manhattan-based architecture, planning and development practice. He is currently partnering with a not-for-profit LGBTQ organization in the research, analysis, design, and development of medical and wellness facilities, housing, cultural preservation and landmarking.
Perhaps one of the more significant projects in Mr. Stand’s portfolio is his work over the course of the last 30 years with the community development corporation Nos Quedamos on the design and development of the Melrose Commons Urban Renewal Plan in the Bronx in articulating the community’s vision through zoning analysis, urban design and in negotiating with various NYC agencies regulating the Urban Renewal Area and then in the development and design of eleven mixed-use residential buildings (of various typologies) and 35 townhouses. This work has included partnering with Nos Quedamos in the formation of the South Bronx Community Land and Resource Trust (an initiative through the NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development) and in the development of the Bronx Culture Collective (an initiative of the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs).
Mr. Stand has enjoyed extensive relationships with his colleagues through his participation and presentation of professional research in conferences and seminars organized through the American Institute of Architect, the American Planning Association, New York Design Trust, and the New York State Council on the Arts. In addition, his work has won awards and been cited for excellence from the NYC Municipal Arts Society; the NYC Dept. of City Planning, The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission; Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility; The New York State Council on the Arts and the New York Design Trust among others.
Carmen Vázquez - 'Rising Star' Award: Organizing
CARMEN VÁZQUEZ always knew growing up that she wanted to work with non-profit organizations because of her belief in the power that they hold to creating change. Carmen was first exposed to non-profits with the work she did at The POINT CDC as an after-school tutor and later as a receptionist. Through The POINT CDC she learned the importance of community gardens and teaching the youth the importance of using their voice and getting involved with what’s going on with their communities.
It was while working at We Stay/Nos Quedamos during the summer as an intern where Carmen got indoctrinated in Community Land Trusts, more on community gardens, and was able to participate in meetings and workshops where experienced and learned about the developments and construction for affordable housing. It was these experiences that confirmed her drive and passion to work for non-profits.
After obtaining her Bachelors in Arts in French with a minor in Human Rights from Lehman College, Carmen has joined We Stay/Nos Quedamos as a Community Organizer, where she will be working with community members as well as other non-profit organizations to educate, inspire, and involve regional stakeholder with being a part of the changes they wish to see in the South Bronx.
Anna Vincenty
ANNA VINCENTY has dedicated much of her life to serving her community. From her early days working as a volunteer to prevent young people from joining gangs in the Bronx, later in serving at her son’s school as PTA President – Anna has always given back to the community.
After more than 20 years in banking, Anna transitioned from volunteering to leadership in the Community Relations field. Anna went on to support and serve with one of our community’s most recognized community activists and leaders – her dear friend Yolanda García. Together with other key players, she helped build We Stay/Nos Quedamos, Inc. In the early days of the organization, she began as a volunteer and later became the organization’s Assistant Director for Community Relations.
Beyond We Stay/Nos Quedamos, Inc. where she gave many years of service, Anna also served as the Chair of the South Bronx Action Group, Inc. – an organization that focused on social services, housing and citizenship issues. In addition, she chaired the Solid Waste Advisory Board; appointed by two different Borough Presidents (Adolfo Carrión and Ruben Díaz). Her extensive list of service and accomplishments include involvement with such entities as; NY Lawyers for the Public Interest, 40th and 42nd Police Precincts, The Point CDC, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, The South Bronx River Watershed Alliance, Sustainable South Bronx, Bronx River Alliance, The Botanical Garden and The Bronx Zoo.
Anna serves on the committee for Women’s History Month with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce,on the committee of the 25 Most Influential Women of the Bronx and was a Board Member of Housing Options and Geriatric Association Resources (H.O.G.A.R.). Anna has also served as Community Service Liaison in the Office of the Honorable Congressman José E. Serrano.
The Harvesting Culture Awards are sponsored by BronxCare Health System
For more information, contact Edwin Pagán (event program curator) at epagan@nosquedamos.org.
Highlights from Past Events
Our Event Themes and Awardees Over the Years:
JULY 10, 2019. “NATURALEZA: Honoring Our Green Legacy,” honoring Bronxites who have dedicated themselves to being stewards of our parks, community gardens and alternative green spaces and have endeavored to keep those assets in the best interest and access of the community. The 2019 Honorees were: Ursula Chanse, Danny Chervoni, Tanya Fields, Maximo Rivera, Nancy Ortíz-Suran, and Karen Washington. Download Legacy FLYER.
2019 Harvesting Culture Awards sponsored by BronxCare Health System.
