(Binghamton, NY) – Today, Senator Webb honored local Black leaders from the Southern Tier in recognition of Black History Month. This celebration, marked by the presentation of five  official awards from the New York State Senate, highlights the essential impact and accomplishments of Black individuals within the community.

This year, in celebration of Black History Month, Senator Webb proudly presented five Commendation Awards honoring individuals whose leadership, service and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community. Each honoree was recognized for their commitment to uplifting others, advancing equity, strengthening educational opportunities and inspiring positive change for future generations.

These awards reflect not only personal achievement but also the enduring legacy of resilience, excellence and community empowerment that Black History Month represents. Through their work each recipient continues to build pathways of opportunity and serve as a powerful example of service and leadership for all.

The awards were presented to:

• Gladys Brangman, Founder and CEO of Business Leaders of Colors; A recipient of a NYS Senate Commendation Award. 
• Donald Cole, Leader of My Brother’s Keeper at Binghamton High School; A recipient of a NYS Senate Commendation Award. 
• Bernice Cooper, Business Administrative Assistant at SUNY Cortland; A recipient of a NYS Senate Commendation Award. 
• Amy Rice, Executive Director of The Astor D. Rice Foundation, Inc.,; A recipient of a NYS Senate Commendation Award. 
• Dr. Baruch Whitehead, Professor of Music Education at Ithaca College & Founding Director of the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers; A recipient of a NYS Senate Commendation Award. 

Senator Webb stated, “Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and leadership of individuals who are creating meaningful change in our communities. I am honored to recognize this year’s distinguished honorees for their outstanding contributions to education, mentorship, entrepreneurship, faith-based service, music and the arts, community advocacy, and youth empowerment. Each of these leaders reflects the vision and compassion that define Senate District 52. Their dedication to uplifting families, supporting young people, and expanding opportunity across the Southern Tier inspires us all. While we take special time in February to celebrate their impact, their work is shaping a brighter, more just, and more equitable future for our region every single day of the year.”

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from Senator Lea Webb,” said Gladys Brangman. “I have been an educator in the Southern Tier for over 10 years and it’s been said that if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Educating and supporting new business owners is a passion, and definitely not work. I am humbled by this award and thankful for the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity.” 

Said Donald Cole, “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Senator Lea Webb and the New York State Senate. I truly believe that our only debt to society is to love one another. As it is written in the Bible: ‘Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.’ Serving young people and families in the Southern Tier with genuine love has never been about titles or awards, but about showing up consistently and helping others see their own value and potential. The most rewarding part of my work is witnessing the amazing transforming power of God’s love in action—when young people begin to believe in themselves and choose a path rooted in character, purpose, responsibility, and selfless love. I am grateful to have been entrusted with such precious lives throughout my years of service, and I consider it a privilege and honor to sow back into a community that once sowed into me. If I have learned anything in life, it is this: service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy, and love is humanity’s greatest service to one another—a debt I will continue to take great delight in paying.”

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition from Senator Webb,” said Bernice Cooper. “Although I was born and raised in Brooklyn, I moved to Cortland in 2022, and in just a few years, this community has given me so much. I tend to go places and not leave them the way I found them, and that belief guides both my professional work within the SUNY system and my academic journey at Tompkins Cortland Community College, as well as my service with organizations such as the NAACP Ithaca/Cortland Branch and the Cortland County Community of Color. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Southern Tier.”

Said Amy Rice, “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Senator Lea Webb. Returning home to the Southern Tier in 2022 to serve families and young people in the community that helped shape me has been both a privilege and a meaningful responsibility. Through the work of the Astor D. Rice Foundation, we strive to strengthen families, empower youth, and build pathways to opportunity across our region. The most rewarding part of this work is seeing families grow stronger together and young people realize their potential. I share this recognition with the many community partners, families, and supporters who make this work possible.”

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition and grateful for the opportunity to serve through music education,” said Dr. Baruch Whitehead. “My work is rooted in building community, preserving cultural traditions, and creating spaces where students can discover their voices and their purpose. The most rewarding part of my career is witnessing students grow not only as musicians, but as confident, compassionate leaders. I take great pride in contributing to a field that values artistry, education, and service.”

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