Redemption, Inc.

2011-11-16T11:28:00.000-05:00

***MEDIA ALERT***INTERVIEW OPP***PHOTO OPP***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Ruth J. Morrison – 646.303.4770

Redemption, Inc., Celebrates the Art of Legacy

Annual Gala Honors People Who Have Left A Legacy For Their Children
or For Others To Live By

WHAT: Redemption, Inc., a nonprofit youth-education and community empowerment
organization, celebrates the Art of Legacy at its annual fundraising gala. The theme, the Art of Legacy, is to honor people who have left a legacy for their children or for others to live by.

WHO: Board of Directors and Tiffany Tucker, President, Redemption, Inc.

Art of Legacy Honorees:
Dr. Una Clarke, Former NYC Councilmember, 40th District, Brooklyn, New York
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Member of Congress, NY-11th Congressional District
Charles Grannum, D.M.D, Cosmetic Dentist
Colvin Grannum, President and CEO, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Inc.
Jeffrey Grannum, Managing Agent for Flagstaff Clapham Group Real Estate Co. and Retired Director of Labor Relations, NYC Transit
Vera Moore, President and CEO, Vera Moore Cosmetics
Consuela Helms, National Vice President, Product Development and Training,
Vera Moore Cosmetics

WHERE: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

DATE/TIME: Thursday, November 10, 2011
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

CONTACT: Ruth J. Morrison
646-303-4770

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November 3, 2011
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(Brooklyn, NY) – November 3, 2011 – Redemption, Inc., a nonprofit youth-education and community empowerment organization, celebrates the Art of Legacy at its annual gala on Thursday, November 10, 2011, at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 at 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at fifty dollars ($50.00) per person.
The theme, the Art of Legacy, is to honor people who have left a legacy for their children or for others to live by. The honorees include: entrepreneurs, elected officials, a nonprofit executive, and dentist. They are:

Mother and Daughter Team
· Dr. Una Clarke, Former NYC Councilmember, 40th District, Brooklyn, New York
· Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Member of Congress, NY-11th Congressional District

Brothers
· Charles Grannum, D.M.D, Cosmetic Dentist
· Colvin Grannum, President and CEO, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Inc.
· Jeffrey Grannum, Managing Agent for Flagstaff Clapham Group Real Estate Co. and Retired Director of Labor Relations, NYC Transit

Mother and Daughter Team
· Vera Moore, President and CEO, Vera Moore Cosmetics
· Consuela Helms, National Vice President, Product Development and Training,
Vera Moore Cosmetics

(see all bios and photos in the addendum)

"It is with great pleasure that we honor these families for their continued efforts to enhance the livelihood of our community,” said Tiffany Tucker, President and Founder, Redemption, Inc. “We have honored some amazing people in the past, and celebrating family legacy gives added value to the award. Moreover, they serve as great role models for the young people that we serve."

For more information, please call 718-804-8816 or send an email to info@redemptionyouth.org. Tickets/donations can be made on-line via pay-pall (www.RedemptionYouth.org) or check made payable to Redemption, Inc. (P.O. Box 22482, Brooklyn, NY 11202).

About Redemption, Inc.
Believing that education is the pathway out of poverty, Tiffany Tucker, along with four other college students, created Redemption to increase the educational advancement of under-served New York City youth between the ages of 13 and 19.

Redemption, Inc., is a nonprofit youth-education and community empowerment organization. Redemption’s overarching goal is to bridge the gap between children in disadvantaged Brooklyn communities and success. It serves to enable teens that are at-risk of failing classes, dropping out of school and sabotaging their ability to excel academically and to become community leaders. Redemption encourages the educational advancement of youth by promoting intergenerational learning, community involvement, and self-advocacy.

Housed at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, Redemption provides youth with an abundance of information and resources through: one-on-one mentoring, life skills workshops, the College-to-College Redemption Blueprint, support for valedictorians, tutoring, and its signature “Get Your Mind Right” Back to School Event.

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Functioning as a source of communication and guidance for the youth in New York City, Redemption has served over 4,000 students. Redemption has a track record of giving young adults the necessary tangible resources to succeed.

For more information about Redemption, please send an email to: info@redemptionyouth.org or, call us at 718-804-8816. Tickets/donations can be made on-line via pay-pall (www.Redemption Youth.org) or check made payable to Redemption, Inc. (P.O. Box 22482, Brooklyn, NY 11202).

Friend Redemption, Inc., on Facebook at facebook.com/getyourmindright and follow Redemption on Twitter at www.twitter.com/redemptionyouth.

Tiffany Tucker is available for interviews.

Media planning to cover the event must RSVP to ruthjmorrison@gmail.com by 12 noon on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

*See addendum below for bios of Redemption Inc.’s Art of Legacy honorees:

Addendum
Redemption, Inc.
Art of Legacy Honorees

Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, is the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the New York City Council. She is a proven and dedicated leader whose hard work and tireless advocacy have brought remarkable changes to her community. She was elected in 1991 and during her 10-year tenure, she sponsored more than 300 pieces of legislation on a wide range of issues including child welfare, education, health and mental health issues, economic development, public safety and transportation. In 2001, former Governor George Pataki appointed Dr. Clarke as Director of the Empire State Development Corporation for the borough of Brooklyn.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke was elected to the U.S. Congress in November 2006, and she represents New York’s 11th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Sunset Park, Carroll Gardens, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Prospect Park.

Currently in the 112th Congress, Rep. Clarke sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security and House Committee on Small Business. Just two years in office, Rep. Clarke was appointed Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology for the 111th Congress.

A product of the New York City Public School System, Rep. Clarke received a scholarship to Oberlin College and was a recipient of the prestigious APPAH/Sloan Fellowship in Public Policy and Policy Analysis.

Prior to being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Clarke served on the New York City Council representing the 40th District in Brooklyn. She succeeded her pioneering mother, former City Council Member Una S. T. Clarke, making them the first mother-daughter succession in the history of the Council.
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Dr. Charles Grannum is a native and resident of Brooklyn, NY for over 50 years. Dr. Grannum received his Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. He then received a Doctor of Dental Medicine from Fairleigh Dickinson School of Dentistry, followed by a Certificate in the Specialty of Prosthodontics from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery. Dr. Grannum completed residency training programs at Woodhull and Harlem Hospitals; he is the former co-director of the General Practice Residency program at Harlem Hospital. Currently, Dr. Grannum is the director of the General Practice Residency program at Interfaith Medical Center and recognized as the only Board Certified Prosthodontist in the borough of Brooklyn. Dr. Grannum maintains a successful prosthodontic private practice in Clinton Hill where he also resides.

Dr. Grannum has served as Vice President of Pratt Area Community Council, President of Protestant Board of Guardians and as a member of the Bridge Street Business Association. Dr. Grannum’s community service and leadership has been recognized by Emmanuel Baptist Church, Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Beulah Church of the Nazarene, Bridge Street AWME Church and numerous other organizations.

Colvin W. Grannum has served as President and CEO, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation since March 2001. Restoration is the nation’s first community development corporation, founded by community leaders, and United States Senators Robert Kennedy and Jacob Javits in 1967. Restoration owns and manages a 300,000 square feet commercial and cultural center in the heart of Central Brooklyn, which is home to the Billie Holiday Theatre, the Skylight Gallery, the College of New Rochelle, three banks and several major retailers. Under Mr. Grannum’s leadership, Restoration is experiencing a robust resurgence. New businesses including a state-of-the-art
Super Foodtown supermarket, Duane Reade, Applebee’s, and Carver Federal Savings Bank, have joined the Commercial Center tenant roster. Restoration also owns 500 units of housing for low-income residents, and partners in the development of mixed-income housing.

Born and raised in Bedford Stuyvesant, Mr. Grannum practiced law for over 17 years primarily as a litigation attorney before embarking on his career in community development. He has been employed by the United States Department of Justice, the New York State Attorney General, the NYNEX Corporation, and the New York City Corporation Counsel, respectively.

Jeffrey Grannum is Managing Agent for Flagstaff Clapham Group Real Estate Co. and a retired Director of Labor Relations for NYC Transit. In 1978, when Jeff was a student at Queens College, CUNY, he managed a small health food store in Clinton Hill Brooklyn part-time. This beganJeff’s life-long interest in healthy lifestyles and healthy food. Jeff transitioned from the sale of natural foods and vitamins to selling slightly bigger ticket items… new Porsche and Audi automobiles for Bay Ridge Porsche Audi. Not too long after, he joined NYC Transit. A few years after becoming a Hearing Officer for the Dept. of Subways Office of Labor Relations, Jeff became Director of Labor Relations for NYC Transit. Most important in Jeff’s life is his wife of 29 years, Janice, whom he met while attending Queens College. Both Jeff and his wife, served as Choir Directors of the Hanifah Youth Choir at Bridge Street AME Church for 12 years.

Vera Moore is President and CEO of a highly competitive business, Vera Moore Cosmetics. Vera Moore Cosmetics started locally in New York and initially sold through hair salons. As interest in her product grew, she began widespread distribution to boutiques and other retail outlets throughout the US and International markets. One of her dreams became a reality when she broke the color barrier in one of the major malls in the US. Vera was the first Black tenant in the 50-year history of the Green Acres Mall.

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Vera Moore Cosmetics has partnered with Duane Reade and is now located in the upscale new “Look Boutique” beauty department in Duane Reade stores. Vera continues to reach for “moore” as evidenced by her acquiring national distribution with Walgreens this year.

She has national recognition as one of the first black actresses to be contracted on a national television show when she portrayed “Linda” on the NBC-TV soap opera Another World. She also holds many credits for other television programs and Broadway shows including the Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical Purlie Victorious.

Vera’s journey has led to national recognition on the covers of Black Enterprise Magazine featured in Black Enterprise’s Book Collection- “Against All Odds,” Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business, Networking Women, Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Magazine, and Upscale Magazine. Vera also hosted her own radio segment “Skin Deep & Moore.” Emmy award winning makeup artists, news commentators, movies, solicit Vera Moore Cosmetics products for its superior quality.

Vera’s ultimate satisfaction was realized by affording her the opportunity of economic empowerment in her own backyard and community. Vera Moore was born in Queens, attended Hunter College and received a 4-year scholarship to Sadisbury Academy of Music.

Consuela Helms is National Vice President of Product Development and Training for Vera Moore Cosmetics. Consuela is Vera Moore Cosmetics Sales Training Director for Walgreens/Duane Reade “LOOK” boutiques. Consuela has been a Celebrity Makeup Artist/Stylist for: Black Enterprise;
The Network Journal; Harlem Week; Fashion Week – NYC; Fashion on the Hudson; NYC International Trade Show, London; Bronner Brothers, Atlanta, GA; Bridal Extravaganzas; and Pilots/Videos.

Consuela received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Howard University in Washington, DC; and she is a graduate of the International School of Esthetics Christine Valmy.

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High School Graduation 2011

2011-09-19T15:24:00.006-04:00

REDEMPTION CELEBRATES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY & BEING COMMUNITY LEADERS!

It has never been done before, but with great community support REDEMPTION, INC. was proud to present fifteen (15) brand new laptops to eight (8) valedictorians and seven (7) leaders in community service! Tiffany Tucker the founder and CEO of Redemption attended award ceremonies and graduations, to honor each student in front of their peers and their parents, congratulating the students on a job well done!

On June 28, 2011 at 9am at the Wingate Campus, Redemption presented their last laptop and award to the final valedictorian Maria Esperenza of the International Arts Business School. “There are 150+ high schools in Brooklyn, one day we hope to be able to honor at least one student from each school. Nonetheless, this year, we are grateful to have the pleasure of awarding high school students who have either proven their academic success as the valedictorian of their senior class or they have volunteered for 8 months as mentors to middle school students… Over all, our honorees have achieved success despite the odds stacked against them! We believe in them and we want to provide them with the tools necessary to succeed,” says the excited Ms. Tucker.

Redemption continues to celebrate the outstanding achievement of these students, knowing this is just the beginning of a long and prosperous career in their education. This prestigious honor will motivate students to strive for academic success, encourage them to continue achieving more and increase the amount of students that will not only graduate high school, but graduate with high performance grades and participate in service learning activities. Congratulations:

Valedictorians & Community Leaders

Andre Matthews,

Academy For College Prep & Career Exploration

Idamia Thomas,

Brooklyn Collegiate

Treasure Allen,

The Green School Jaztyn Cheeks: Brooklyn Collegiate

Malek Asaad,

Metropolitan Corporate Academy

Kezina Garnett,

Brooklyn Collegiate

Dominique Hardy,

The Brooklyn School For Global Studies

Romane Green,

Brooklyn Collegiate

Guillermo Remache,

George Westinghouse

Shanalee Jones,

Brooklyn Collegiate

Jannatul Noor,

William E. Grady High School

Javon Roberts,

Brooklyn Collegiate

Mahalia Sealy,

Academy of Hospitality and Tourism

Isis Thomas,

Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory

Maria Esperenza,

International Arts Business School

SPONSORS: Senator John Sampson, Bryant Jackson of ITEAMCORP, LLC, Mr. Chow Xie, Mr.
Alton Murray, and Ms. Starchee Stanback… THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

More about Redemption, Inc.
Reclaim, Rebuild, and Redirect the future of our youth! Redemption, Inc. is a Brooklyn based
not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring youth while providing key life tools to help them exceed in education and volunteer to serve their community. From school supplies to workshops to career building activities, Redemption has a proven track record of giving young adults the necessary resources to succeed. 100% of Redemption students graduate from high school and enroll in college. Redemption, Inc. needs your support NYC to help us, help more youth in our community! To learn more about this organization and how to donate to their back to school event, college prep workshops, or valedictorian awards program visit www.RedemptionYouth.org. No donation is too small! Thank you in advance for your support.

Doritos Chip Bag

2011-09-17T08:53:00.001-04:00

1010 Wins News

2011-09-17T08:49:00.004-04:00

NEW BRIGHT IDEAS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

2011-05-17T10:56:00.002-04:00

NEW BRIGHT IDEAS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

Selects 173 Noteworthy Government Programs and Practices

Cambridge, Mass., – September 29, 2010 – Today the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, announced 173 government programs selected for its newly-created Bright Ideas program. In its inaugural year, Bright Ideas is designed to recognize and share creative government initiatives around the country with interested public sector, nonprofit, and academic communities.

Bright Ideas seeks to complement the long-standing Innovations in American Government Awards Program by providing government agencies with a collection of new solutions that can be considered and adopted today. This new program serves to recognize promising government programs and partnerships that government officials, public servants, and others might find useful when faced with their own challenges.

This year’s cohort of Bright Ideas was chosen by a team of expert evaluators made up of academics, practitioners, and former public servants. Selected from a pool of nearly 600 applicants including smaller-scale pilots, 2010 Bright Ideas address a range of pressing issues including poverty reduction, environmental conservation, and emergency management.

“For over 20 years we have been honoring the country’s most creative public sector initiatives through our Innovations in American Government Awards Program,” said Anthony Saich, director of the Ash Center. “The creation of Bright Ideas was a natural next step to shed light on an even greater number of noteworthy programs and practices across our nation and to encourage practitioners to make these ideas work in their own backyards.”

The 2010 Bright Ideas will be showcased on the Center’s Government Innovators Network, an online marketplace of ideas and examples of government innovation for policymakers and practitioners. The inaugural group of Bright Ideas will serve as a cornerstone of a new online community where innovative ideas are proposed, shared, and disseminated. The Ash Center also envisions that these Bright Ideas have the potential to become future Innovations in American Government winners.

Bright Ideas is an initiative of the Ash Center’s Innovations in Government Program, which spotlights exemplary models of government innovation and advances efforts to address the nation’s most pressing public concerns. Throughout its history, the program has generated a wealth of research based on award-winning government innovations and the study of how innovation occurs.

The Ash Center will be accepting applications and recognizing more Bright Ideas on a rolling basis throughout the year. Learn more about the Bright Ideas program here.

About the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence and innovation in governance and public policy through research, education, and public discussion. Three major programs support our mission: the Program on Democratic Governance; the Innovations in Government Program; and the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia. For more information, visit www.ash.harvard.edu.