(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory was honored at the Town of Babylon’s 28th annual Black History Month celebration, held Feb. 20 at Amityville Memorial High School.
Gregory, who is the first African-American Presiding Officer in Suffolk County’s history, received the “Special Recognition Award.”
“Suffolk County is home to many members of the black community who have enriched our lives through art, culture, education, government, medicine and many other fields,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “I am humbled to receive this award from the Town of Babylon, as there were many people deserving of this honor, and I congratulate all of the event’s other award recipients.”
Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory received the “Special Recognition Award” at the Town of Babylon’s 28th Annual Black History Month Celebration Feb. 20 in Amityville. Gregory is the first African-American to serve as Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.
Sponsored by the Town’s Department of Human Services, the event was themed “Hallowed Ground: Sites of African-American Memory.” Suffolk County District Court Judge Derrick Robinson gave the keynote address, and performers included Amityville Memorial High School Jazz Band, the Fashion Institute of Technology Gospel Choir and The Pink Diamonds Flag Team of Wyandanch School District.
“Congratulations to Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory on receipt of the ‘Special Recognition Award,’” said Babylon Town Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon. “He serves as a living testimony to those who have come before him as he fulfills the dreams of the forefathers.”
The event’s other honorees included: retired probation officer Regina Arvon and community organizer Rosemarie Dearing, who both received the Unity Award; Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands, who received the Economics Award; community activists Darlene and Nathan Jackson, who received the Community Service Award; and Gina Talbert, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Wyandanch School District, who received the Excellence in Education Award.
