FDBA Honors Rose Pierre-Louis with the C. Virginia Fields Award For Leadership and Community Service

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The Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance will honor Rose Pierre-Louis with its fourth annual C. Virginia Fields Award for Leadership and Community Service on Tuesday, October 24th, at the Under Bar (2128 Frederick Douglass Boulevard) at 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Pierre-Louis has spent her long and distinguished career advocating for the underprivileged and is nationally recognized as an activist, educator and attorney for women's and immigrant rights, underserved communities and victims of domestic violence. A long-time resident of Harlem, Rose Pierre-Louis currently serves as the Deputy Director at the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. She previously served as the Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, and prior to that served as the Manhattan Deputy Borough President under Scott M. Stringer.

As Deputy Borough President, Ms. Pierre-Louis played an active role in promoting economic development by focusing on minority and women owned small businesses within the village of Harlem. It was during her tenure as Deputy that she organized community and business leaders to found the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance.

Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said, “I couldn’t be happier for Rose. She’s not just a tireless advocate, a dedicated public servant, or an extraordinary community leader. She’s one of those New Yorkers who makes a true difference in the lives of those around her, because she cares so deeply about her neighborhood and the people in it. This is a great award that recognizes a great career.”

The mission of Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance (FDBA) is to build a better community, improve quality of life, and maintain a clean and safe boulevard for residents, visitors, small business owners and workers.

“Frederick Douglass Boulevard has truly become an exciting destination for locals, as well as tourists from around the world to enjoy,” said C. Virginia Fields, former Manhattan Borough President. “I extend hearty best wishes to Rose Pierre-Louis, as this year’s award recipient, for her vision and commitment as the founding member. These are the stories from which strong legacies are made.”

New York State Assemblywoman Inez E. Dickens said, “I congratulate my sister and friend, Rose Pierre-Louis on receiving the C. Virginia Fields Award. Rose has been an incredible champion for the great village of Harlem and vocal supporter for small businesses in her community. Together with the founding board members of the Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Rose carried her passion for this neighborhood and all things Frederick Douglass Boulevard, building upon former Borough President C. Virginia Field's vision for a thriving commercial and residential corridor. As a NYC Councilmember I was proud to partner and fund FBDA's street cleaning and beautification programs and in my current role as a NYS Assemblymember, I am looking forward to continuing this partnership.”

"Rose Pierre-Louis has been fighting for our businesses, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life her entire career. Because of her work and the work of the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance, Harlem residents and visitors can experience a safe, clean, and vibrant thoroughfare that is a model for all that a residential and commercial corridor can be," said New York State Senator Brian Benjamin. "In everything she had done Ms. Pierre-Louis has exemplified leadership and service, and so I am thrilled that she is being honored for her contributions to the Village of Harlem and the Great State of New York."

“None of the great work that this organization has accomplished would have been possible without Rose’s vision and leadership.” said Paimaan Lodhi, Co-President of FDBA. “She has been a tireless advocate with a deep love for her community.”

“As a business owner, I want to sincerely thank Rose Pierre-Louis for spearheading the effort to organize businesses so that we could grow a promising culinary scene into a true destination,” said Susannah Koteen, owner of Lido Restaurant and Co-President of the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance. “She also encouraged us to cross promote and hire locally to maximize our positive impact on the community.”

“FDBA truly exemplifies the spirit of our community. Rose Pierre-Louis is a community leader whose skill in bringing together diverse stakeholders towards a common mission is unmatched,” said Cicely Harris, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 10.

In receiving the award, Rose Pierre-Louis said, “I am honored to be recognized by my colleagues at FDBA and humbled to receive an award that is named in recognition of the extraordinary accomplishments of our former Borough President C. Virginia Fields. This award celebrates service and community and it has been a privilege to be part of the history of FDBA, which is rooted in creating a vibrant neighborhood and uplifting those who over decades in Harlem have been the foundation of this iconic community. Heartfelt thanks to FDBA's Co-President's Susannah Koteen and Paimaan Lodhi, as well as the Board of Directors for their vision and leadership.”