Borough President Adams hosted his first Black History Month Celebration Monday night with an event at the Brooklyn Historical Society.
Adams gave recognition to the partners of the “In Pursuit of Freedom” project — which includes the Brooklyn Historical Society, Irondale Ensemble Project and Weeksville Heritage Center — as well as community honorees such as Medgar Evers College president and former city schools chancellor Dr. Rudolph Crews, and Brooklyn North Borough Commander Chief Gerald Nelson of the 88th Precinct.
“It was truly an honor to be honored,” said Terry Greiss, executive director of the Irondale Ensemble Project. “We’re telling the stories of our neighborhood, and for our borough to honor us means a great deal to us.”
The “In Pursuit of Freedom” project is an exhibit that explores Brooklyn’s anti-slavery movement from the end of the American Revolution to the early days of Reconstruction through photographs, census records, newspapers and more.
Other honorees for the night included Sharhonda Bossier, co-founder and chief fellowship officer at Familes for Excellent Schools, Cheryl Hall, executive director of the Caribbean Women’s Health Association, and Darrin Person and Tracy Cook-Person, Co-Founders of the Brooklyn Summer Shakespeare-ience.
Guests were entertained by the Christian Cultural Center Performing Arts Ministry, and the ceremony was followed by a reception at Borough Hall. Each honoree was given a citation award for their efforts.
Adams made history in 2013 when he became the first African American elected as the borough’s chief executive.
