BLACK TIE FOR BLACK HISTORY Annual “Party With A Purpose”

For the 12th consecutive year, The Black Tie for Black History event will bring the city’s Black History Month celebration to a classy and fitting close.

The much anticipated gathering, which will take place on Friday, February 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Metropolitan Entertainment Complex, 1670 Main Street,  will honor seven  of the city’s outstanding citizens. Proceeds will benefit The NICYO Buffalo Funk Fest.

The honorees include:

•Joyce Stokes, Emergency After Hours Recruiter, Foster Care and Adoption, Child & Family Services

•Daren Thomas, Owner, Doc Thomas Promotions and Ders Printing

 •Sandy White, President, Mustard Seed Consulting Group, Executive Producer & Talk Show Host, Radio and Television, Author, Filmmaker

•Toni Vazquez, Chief Systems Office of G-Health Enterprises which include GBUAHN among eight individual companies

•Marilyn Young, New York State Income Franchise Tax Auditor, Creator of W.A.V.E. (Women Against Violence Everywhere);  Director, Girls 2 Women Mentoring Program

•Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo,  Masten District, Pastor Antioch Baptist Church

•Assembly Woman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, First  African American and Woman, Majority Leader, New York State

“We try to  come up with a mixture of  people who are pioneers,” said organizer and founder Marnetta Malcolm. “We also find people who are unsung.  We call them  “ difference makers”  because they are silently going about their work making a difference in their community.”   

Marnetta, came up with the idea of “Black Tie For Black History” in 2007  along with her friend Gregory Prachett.

Mrs. Malcolm, formerly a radio sales promoter and marketing executive,   promotes and organizes the yearly event and remains passionate about continuing to make it happen because, as she says,  “people are making a  difference in the community should always be recognized.”

 The event is sponsored by CASNY, Geneva Auto, American Commodore Tuxedo, Dr. Catherine Collins, Camellia Foods and  Ron Walker MVP.

Tickets are $30 and are available at Doris Records. Entertainment will be provided by DJ  Papa Trini and DJ Big Poppa.             

“ It’s a well attended  affair,” concluded Marnetta. “But its not your traditional award ceremony – it’s a party with a purpose.….and its not going away because I will be pushing this from now on because is too important.”