Release #077-98

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Curt Ritter (212) 788-297

MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS RECEPTION AT GRACIE MANSION

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani joined leaders of New York's African American business community this evening for the annual African American Business Awards reception at Gracie Mansion. The Mayor presented awards to seven outstanding African American business executives and also presented a proclamation designating February as African American History Month.

At the reception the Mayor was joined by Arthur Maya Angelou, Jazz Artist Betty Carter, Singer Roberta Flack, R&B Artists and KISS-FM Radio Hosts Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, Department of Business Services Commissioner Earl Andrews, Jr., Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Richard Roberts and Reverend Canon Alonzo C. Pruitt of St. Philips Episcopal Church of Brooklyn.

"It's a pleasure to be here tonight as we honor the outstanding achievements of New York City's African American business leaders," said Mayor Giuliani. "You set an example for those in the business community and also for young people. Through your hard work and entrepreneurial spirit you have enriched the lives of New Yorkers and most importantly created jobs.

"Your spirit of entrepreneurship honors the legacy of African American business pioneers and inspires a new generation of African Americans in New York City and across the country to even higher levels of achievement," the Mayor continued. "It is your hard work and entrepreneurial spirit that we honor tonight. You are inspirations to all New Yorkers and serve as role models for all communities in our City," the Mayor concluded.

The Mayor presented the following awards:

• Lifetime Achievement Award, "in recognition of more than 50 years of dedication and business achievement" -- Leon Eastmond, President, A.L. Eastmond & Sons, Inc.
• Outstanding Business Award, "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the social and economic well-being of individuals in New York City" -- Charles Duval, President, Data Industries, Ltd.
• Special Achievement Award, "presented to an African American entrepreneur who has demonstrated exceptional innovation in business" -- Anthony C. Baker, President, ACB, Architects & Planners, P.C.
• Family Enterprise Award, "in recognition of an outstanding African American family owned and operated business enterprise" -- Lowell Hawthorne, President, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery, Inc.
• Community Enterprise Award, "in recognition of contributions made to the social and cultural fabric of New York City" -- George W. Faison, President, Fais-One Productions, Inc.
• BidMatch/Small Business Award, "for outstanding effort by an African American owned small business enterprise" -- Lloyd G. Campbell, Sr., President, Better Living Enterprises, Inc.
• Emerging Business Award, "in recognition of an African American owned business exhibiting exceptional business growth" -- JoAnn Baylor, President, The Creative Cake Center -Make My Cake, Inc.

The invocation for the evening was delivered by Reverend Canon Alonzo C. Pruitt of St. Philips Episcopal Church and a musical selection was performed by Ada Dyer, Bobby Lewis and Steve Abrams. Corporate sponsors of the evening included Bell Atlantic, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Critical Mass Management, Heineken USA, MCI, Jewel's Aroma, Korbel, Inc., and Seagram Americas.

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