Release # 049-01

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter

212-788-2958

"This evening we honor five individuals whose innovation, talent, integrity and dedication have distinguished them as leaders in their fields and communities," said Mayor Giuliani. "As we celebrate African American History Month it is important that we recognize those men and women in the African American community whose records of achievement provide inspiration to businesspeople in every field, of every background, religion, race, and age. Tonight's honorees should inspire all New Yorkers - and especially our City's young people - to a life of hard work and dedication to the people of their community."

The Mayor presented the following awards:

• Emerging Business Award, presented to Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Planetude 1 in recognition of an African American-owned business exhibiting exceptional business growth. In 1994, unable to afford holiday gifts for family members, Sharon Johnson used her creative skills to create "home-made" gifts. Family and friends encouraged her to continue to make the various gift items. Spurred by this encouragement, Ms. Johnson took a 16-week business course where she learned all the nuances of turning her interest into a marketable business. Ms. Johnson turned her creative passion for designing gifts into a successful business and in June 2000, Planetude 1 officially opened at its present location at 11 John Street in Lower Manhattan.
  
  
• Special Achievement Award, presented to Wilbert Graham, Vice President of C&G Plumbing Supply Corporation, whose company has been a major contributor to the residential and business community in Queens over the past ten years.
  
  
• Outstanding Achievement Award, presented to Monique Greenwood, who has helped to bring distinction to the Bedford/Stuyvesant community, after she opened the Akwaaba Mansion, a luxury bed--and--breakfast inn, in 1995. Three years later, Ms. Greenwood and her husband opened the Akwaaba Café, a 72--seat restaurant and later developed a bookstore, coffeehouse, and a residential building near the Café. In 2000, Ms. Greenwood was named Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine. She is also active on various boards in her community.
  
  
• Business Advocacy Award, presented to Lloyd Grant and Cynthia Franklin, founders of The KIP Business Report, a magazine that covers the business, economic, and financial news that impacts the African American business community. The Report, which was founded in 1998, presently has a readership of over 40,000 business professionals and sponsors various business-related events such as the annual Urban Professionals Summit and the Diversity Venture Capital Conference. Mr. Grant and Ms. Franklin seek to be catalysts for economic and business development in the minority business community.
  
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Vera Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Vera Moore Cosmetics, who has been a pioneer in the cosmetics industry for more than 20 years. Early in her professional career, Ms. Moore realized the need for quality cosmetics for women of color and started her own cosmetics company in New York City, before expanding the availability of her products through black hair salons, boutiques, and other retail outlets throughout the United States. She was the first African--American tenant in the history of the Green Acres Mall and has received numerous industry awards and achievements for her beauty products.