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.”