National Council of Negro Women, Staten Island Section

05/02/2026

NCNW Staten Island Section Youth Leadership & Cultural Enrichment Trip to Washington, D.C.

On Saturday, May 2, the National Council of Negro Women, Staten Island Section, under the leadership of our outstanding Education Chair, Dr. Nicole Reid-Christopher, hosted a meaningful Youth Leadership Development and Cultural Enrichment Trip to Washington, D.C.

The trip included 29 students and 17 adults, with youth participants from Jack and Jill of America, Staten Island Chapter, St. Philip’s Baptist Church Youth Program, South Beach Tenants Association, and our Young Diamonds Mentorship Program.

This powerful experience gave our young people the opportunity to engage with history, legacy, leadership, and the contributions of African American changemakers who helped shape our nation. Participants visited the NCNW National Headquarters, founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and explored the Making a Way Out of No Way exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Throughout the day, students were encouraged to reflect on African American history, see themselves represented in the legacy of leaders and changemakers, strengthen their sense of purpose, and connect historical impact to present-day opportunities for leadership and service. One student shared, “The trip was great! I liked when the tour guide was explaining in detail.”

We also extend special recognition to our Chaplain, Theodora Cross, who represented the National Council of Negro Women, Staten Island Section, during this memorable experience.

It was a beautiful, family-friendly, culturally enriching trip that created space for learning, reflection, connection, and inspiration. We are grateful to all of the students, chaperones, parents, partners, and volunteers who helped make this day a success. We look forward to planning more opportunities like this for our youth in the future.

04/12/2026

A Labor of Love: Celebrating Our 20th Annual Harambee
Theme: A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Sisterhood

What a powerful and unforgettable moment! Our 20th Annual Harambee Celebration, held under the theme “A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Sisterhood,” was truly a labor of love a reflection of dedication, unity, and our unwavering commitment to uplifting our community. This year’s event was a great success, and we are filled with gratitude.

Honoring Excellence in Our Community

We were proud to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations making a lasting impact:

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Community Service Award
Community Health Center of Richmond
St. Philip’s Baptist Church
Staten Island Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Young Person Who Rocks Award
Xzayla Wilson

Black Family Award
Bali and Tanya Johnson

NCNW-SI Member Recognition Award
Germaine Buchanan

Youth Council Special Recognition Award
Ellen Tucker

High School Achievers Awards
1st Place: Jartu Kromah
2nd Place: Jaeden Thomas
3rd Place: Madison Singleton

Special Recognition
Myles Crossland

With Sincere Appreciation

A heartfelt thank you to all who helped make this celebration so special:

MCs: Nicole Meyers and Dr. Klonette Johnson
DJ: DJ Tyson
Photographer: Kareem Moody
Venue: LiGreci’s Staaten
Our Vendors and Donors

A special thank you to our sponsors:
Con Edison
Stapleton Senior Center
St. George Theatre

Leadership, Team, and Committee Appreciation

Committee Chair: Brittany Waddy
Journal Chair: Tylah Davies

A very special shoutout to our Harambee Committee members. Not only do we thank our committee chairs, but we also extend sincere appreciation to every member of the Harambee Committee for your time, service, support, and dedication. Your hard work made this event possible, and your contributions did not go unnoticed.

Special appreciation to our Financial Team: Nitrisha Zhang and Tawanna Muniz. Thank you for your diligence, commitment, and the care you put into keeping everything running smoothly.

Thank you as well to our Executive Board and the members of the National Council of Negro Women – Staten Island Section for your continued leadership, service, and support.

To Our Community

Thank you to everyone who showed up, supported, and celebrated with us. Your presence reflects our shared commitment to uplifting our community and continuing the legacy of those who came before us. This year’s theme, “A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Sisterhood,” was not just words — it was reflected in every honoree, every volunteer, every contribution, and every moment of fellowship throughout the day.

A job well done. A legacy continued. A community uplifted.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

04/07/2026

We are only 4 days away from our 20th Annual Harambee Luncheon, themed “Honoring 20 Years of Harambee: A Legacy of Service, Strength, and Sisterhood. This celebration marks 20 years of service, strength, and sisterhood and honors the individuals and organizations whose dedication continues to strengthen our community. We are counting on our membership and community to help make this year’s Harambee a success.

We look forward to celebrating this important milestone together.

📅 Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: LiGreci’s Staaten, located at 697 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310

🎟 Ticket Pricing:

Adults (18 & older): $150

Youth (13–17): $75

Youth (12 & under): $35

Honorees

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Community Service Award:

Community Health Center of Richmond

St. Philips Baptist Church

Staten Island Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Young Person Who Rocks Award: Xzayla Wilson
Black Family Award: Tanya and Bali Johnson
NCNW Staten Island Member Recognition Award: Germaine Buchanan
Youth Council Special Recognition Award: Ellen Tucker
High School Achievers Award: First Place – Jartu Kromah, Second Place – Jaeden Thomas, and Third Place – Madison Singleton

This special afternoon will bring together members, community leaders, families, and supporters as we reflect on our collective impact and look ahead to the future.

04/03/2026

🌸✨ Celebrating 20 Years of Legacy, Sisterhood & Service ✨🌸
Join us for the NCNW Staten Island Section Annual Harambee Luncheon as we honor 20 incredible years of impact in our community 💜
📅 Saturday, April 11, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Ligreci’s Staaten
697 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY
🎟 Tickets:
Adults (18+): $150
Youth (13–17): $75
Youth (12 & under): $35
🌟 We will also be honoring outstanding leaders, organizations, and young people making a difference in our community! 📣 Journal Ad submissions are due MONDAY, APRIL 6
Don’t miss your opportunity to be featured and support this milestone celebration!

03/31/2026

As proud members and supporters of the Staten Island Black Heritage Coalition, the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Staten Island Section was honored to support and celebrate the 8th Annual Red, Black, and Green Ball on March 27, 2026, during Women’s History Month.

This meaningful event was a powerful celebration of Black women, Black history, and community excellence. Centered around the Pan-African flag, a symbol of Black pride, liberation, and resilience, the evening recognized Black women in the Staten Island community whose leadership, service, and achievements have paved the way for future generations. It served as a reminder that Black women’s history is history, and their contributions, legacy, and impact cannot be erased.

We were proud to celebrate this year’s honorees:

Debi Rose — former New York City Council Member for the 49th District and the first African American elected to public office on Staten Island
Anne Taylor-Carsel — the first African American appointed to the New York City Board of Elections as Staten Island’s Commissioner
Pryde Smith-Gilbert — the first African American woman elected President of the Staten Island Young Democrats, a chapter of the New York State Young Democrats
Joan L. Rannie — one of the first Black women to serve as a principal on Staten Island, widely respected for her leadership and long-standing impact on public education in the borough
Edna Greenwich — founder and director of Opera Exposures and the first African American on Staten Island to bring opera performances directly into the community and other nontraditional venues

Notably, four of the women honored are connected to the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Staten Island Section. Debi Rose is a past president, while Pryde Smith-Gilbert, Joan L. Rannie, and Anne Taylor-Carsel are current members.

Special recognition was also given to The Honorable Tashanna Golden, a Housing Court Judge, former Staten Island Legal Services attorney, and native Staten Islander committed to community fairness and access to justice.

The evening was filled with joy, pride, and celebration. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Tyson and enjoyed two live performances: a live operatic performance sponsored by Edna Greenwich and a live R&B performance sponsored by the Staten Island Black Heritage Coalition.

We also proudly recognize the members of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Staten Island Section who were present in support of this special occasion: Beth Coleman-Oliver, Nicole Meyers, Tanisha Franks, Alicia Coleman, Brittany Waddy, Theodora Cross, Virginia Allen, Sheila Cofield, Jennifer Watkins, Minnie Graham, Edwina Martin, Lorna Wilson, Letricia McCleary, Michelle Akyempong, and Dawn Reid-Green.

We commend the Staten Island Black Heritage Coalition for continuing this important tradition of honoring the remarkable Black women whose resilience, leadership, and achievements strengthen our community. Their stories inspire future generations and remind us of the importance of continuing to uplift, empower, and celebrate one another.

Black women’s history is history, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

03/29/2026

On Wednesday, March 25, the National Council of Negro Women, Staten Island Section, and the High School Achievers Award Committee hosted a special meet and greet with the 2026 winners of our Essay Writing Scholarship and their families.

This year, we received 16 essay submissions, with 10 essays advancing for review. Through a blind review process, with names removed to ensure fairness, the committee carefully reviewed the submissions and selected the top three essays from a strong group of outstanding entries. It was not an easy decision, and we are incredibly proud of all of the students who participated.

We are proud to recognize our 2026 winners:

First Place – Jartu Kromah
A senior at Curtis High School, Jartu is passionate about healthcare and helping others. Through her clinical training and her experiences caring for her younger siblings, she has developed leadership, compassion, and resilience. She plans to major in nursing and continue her journey toward becoming a registered nurse.

Second Place – Jaeden Thomas
Jaeden is an 11th-grade honor roll student at East Side Community High School who takes pride in his academics and responsibilities. He is active in sports, involved in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and currently enrolled in the College Now program at Hunter College, where he is taking Psychology 101.

Third Place – Madison Singleton
Madison is a 9th-grade honor student at Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, where she maintains a place on the Principal’s Honor Roll. She is a dedicated student-athlete and youth leader, serving as President of the Staten Island Jack and Jill Teen Group and Secretary of the NAACP Staten Island Youth Council.

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the High School Achievers Award Committee for a job well done. Their hard work, thoughtfulness, and dedication made this process possible. Reviewing so many strong essays and selecting the top winners required time, care, and commitment, and we thank them for the meaningful role they played in recognizing these outstanding students.

Special thanks to Scholarship Committee Chair Theodora M. Cross, First Vice President Marcia Allen, Paulette Crosland, Dr. Grace Feyijinmi, Dr. Nicole Reid-Christopher, Tawanna Muniz, Heather Butts, Nija Howard, Joan Rainey, and Virginia Allen.

Congratulations again to our winners and to the committee for their excellent work.

03/10/2026

Only a few days left!!!!

🎬✨ Women’s History Month Celebration – You’re Invited! ✨🎬
The National Council of Negro Women – Staten Island Section in partnership with the St. George Theatre invites you to an unforgettable evening of film, dialogue, and community as we celebrate the brilliance of Black women in STEM.
Join us for a powerful Women in STEM panel followed by a special screening of Hidden Figures — the inspiring true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, whose groundbreaking work at NASA changed history.
📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026
🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎥 Event Begins: 6:30 PM
📍 St. George Theatre
35 Hyatt Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
🎟️ FREE – RSVP Required
Let’s gather, learn, celebrate, and honor the hidden figures who paved the way — and the ones continuing to break barriers today.
Tag a friend. Bring a +1 or your organization . Share widely. 💜
Link to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6Lp66p-F2HGiYvVvVvBFNcUiaFNEaRlqWsqK-NnuiTVkpFQ/viewform
For more information, contact Social Justice Chair Edwina Martin at [email protected]

03/07/2026

The NCNW Staten Island Section is now accepting applications for the 2026 High School Achievers Award 💜
This award recognizes NYC high school students who are:
📚 Excelling academically
🤝 Actively involved in their community
🌟 Leading with purpose and impact
🗓 Deadline to apply: March 8, 2026 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSnkoksMBkBf4oHPZGBIyTE9gKBiI9VPyEu1GRFewwwe4LPQ/viewform

03/03/2026

🎬✨ Women’s History Month Celebration – You’re Invited! ✨🎬
The National Council of Negro Women – Staten Island Section in partnership with the St. George Theatre invites you to an unforgettable evening of film, dialogue, and community as we celebrate the brilliance of Black women in STEM.
Join us for a powerful Women in STEM panel followed by a special screening of Hidden Figures — the inspiring true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, whose groundbreaking work at NASA changed history.
📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026
🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎥 Event Begins: 6:30 PM
📍 St. George Theatre
35 Hyatt Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
🎟️ FREE – RSVP Required
Let’s gather, learn, celebrate, and honor the hidden figures who paved the way — and the ones continuing to break barriers today.
Tag a friend. Bring a +1 or your organization . Share widely. 💜
Link to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6Lp66p-F2HGiYvVvVvBFNcUiaFNEaRlqWsqK-NnuiTVkpFQ/viewform
For more information, contact Social Justice Chair Edwina Martin at [email protected]