Senator Persaud Honors 19 Community Members from Senate District 19 at Annual Award Ceremony

On Tuesday, June 25 at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Senator Persaud recognized 19 individuals who have made significant contributions in transforming their communities and institutions in and around Senate District 19. The honorees this year are firefighters, EMTs and students, as well as a government official, a social worker, a librarian, an engineer and an author. 

The evening began with the Senator defining the meaning of "Power 19," followed by speeches from Samara Karasyk, senior vice president and chief policy officer of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and Jabari Hall, international empowerment speaker and founder of youth organization J-Has-Heart. Before presenting each honoree with a New York State Senate Proclamation, Senator Persaud expressed appreciation and gratitude for the honorees' selfless passion in promoting change and inspiring hope in the community, as well as their guests for supporting them and being the "wind beneath their wings." She also thanked the management and staff of Brookdale Hospital for their invaluable partnership in helping host the event and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce as well as Agape Bethel CDC for contributing giveaway bags for the honorees.

"Why 'Power 19'? Because we are Senate District 19, we are the Power 19," Senator Persaud said. "It is always our privilege and honor to recognize members of the community. Too often do we pass by people doing great things, the work that you all do, day in and day out; and that's why we are here, to say thank you. Over the past couple years we have honored many people, and all we ask is that you keep doing what you're doing and pay it forward. Some of you may live here, some of you may not, but all of you have invested interest in the community. You are all a part of this community."

The 2019 Senate District 19 Power 19 Honorees:

Emily Cabrera - Academic Excellence Award
Francis A. Valerio - Community Champion Award
Shamika Cousar - Community Empowerment Award
Iyana Curtis - Community Empowerment Award
Wayne Harris - Community Empowerment Award
Tom Mueller - Community Empowerment Award
Lieutenant Krystal S. Hayes - Community Engagement & Service Award
Walter Hochbrueckner - Community Engagement & Service Award
Michelle Singh - Humanitarian Award
Brandon Bloomfield - Innovative Leadership Award
Lieutenant Ricardo Otero - Innovation Leadership Award
Brittany Coleman - Scholastic Achievement Award
Jada Edmunds - Scholastic Achievement Award
Peter Haggerty - Service and Bravery Award
Robert Puckett - Service and Bravery Award
Edward Rodriguez - Service and Bravery Award
Cherise Birchwood - Youth Community Empowerment Award
Javon Hawker - Youth Community Empowerment Award
Malyka Bailey - Youth Leadership Award