Serranos Mark Black History Month, Honor Community Leaders

February 22, 2005—This afternoon, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-Bronx) and State Senator José M. Serrano (D-East Harlem/South Bronx) celebrated Black History Month, honoring community leaders and evoking the legacy of the African-American civil rights struggle as “unfinished work.”  At an event held at Congressman Serrano’s Bronx office, Theodore Jefferson, Executive Director of Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation; Catherine Stroud, President of 1600 Sedgwick Avenue Tenants Association, Executive Director of River Watch, Inc., and Democratic State Committeewoman;  Hans E. Hageman, Esq., Executive Director of Boys and Girls Harbor, Inc.; and Shaun M. Belle, President and CEO of the Mount Hope Housing Company were presented with State Senate proclamations and Congressional Record statements honoring their service.

“Black History Month is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the struggles and successes of the past and the challenges of the future,” said Congressman Serrano.  “All Americans are indebted to the giants of African-American history who fought to make the United States a fairer, more just nation—from Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman to Rosa Parks, from Frederick Douglass, WEB DuBois, and A Philip Randolph to Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King, Jr., the list goes on and on.  And you know, as a Puerto Rican who came of age politically during the 1960s, I am particularly aware of and grateful for the thousands of African-American activists who fought for civil rights for all Americans.  Their stories are our inspiration, but while we celebrate their achievements we also remember how far we have yet to go.  That is why today we are honoring modern-day heroes of African-American New York, leaders who have devoted their lives to bring us closer to Dr. King’s dream for America.”

“I’m so proud to honor Cathy Stroud, Ted Jefferson, Hans Hageman, and Shaun Belle today,” said Senator Serrano.  “Each one is an exemplary leader dedicated to public service, fighting every day to improve the lives of those in our community.  The work of all four does honor to the legacy of the heroes of Black History Month, and we celebrate them today.”

For the past 18 years Ted Jefferson has served as Executive Director of the Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation, an organization that offers home ownership opportunities to first-time home buyers.  He also serves a volunteer with numerous community organizations, including the Morris Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association, the Webster Action Committee, Community Boards #3 and #6, and the Twin Parks Association.  Cathy Stroud has served as President of the Tenant Association for her building for nearly two decades.  She also is Executive Director of River Watch, Inc., a neighborhood network center that provides training, homework assistance, after-school activities and trips for community youth. 

Shaun Belle is President and CEO of Mount Hope Housing Company, a community organization that develops and manages affordable housing while providing youth services, employment and job training for youth, real estate development and family asset building.   Hans Hageman, Esq. is Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Harbor, a venerable youth organization in East Harlem.  A lifelong East Harlem resident, Hageman served as Chief Counsel for the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and was Minority Chief Counsel and Staff Director to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution and an Assistant District Attorney in the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecution of New York’s County District Attorney’s Office.

The text of the Senate proclamations and Congressional Record statements honoring Messrs. Jefferson, Hageman, and Belle and Ms. Stroud are available upon request.

Photos of the event can be found here.