FDBA Honors NYC Council Member Inez E. Dickens with the C. Virginia Fields Award for Leadership and Community Service
The Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance will honor Council Member Inez E. Dickens with its third annual C. Virginia Fields Award for Leadership and Community Service on Tuesday October 25th, at the Under Bar (2128 Frederick Douglass Boulevard) at 6:00 PM.
A lifelong resident of the 9th Council District that includes Central Harlem, Morningside Heights, parts of the Upper West Side and part of East Harlem, Council Member Dickens is highly respected as a tireless fighter for basic civil and human rights, justice, equity, inclusion and diversity.
“I am proud to join the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance for recognizing Councilwoman Inez Dickens with the aptly-named award that embodies the spirit of C. Virginia Fields, who is another tireless advocate and dear friend of Harlem. For over three decades, Inez Dickens has been a champion of the people in our beloved community, and has effectively been our voice in the City Council since elected in 2006. It has been my honor to fight alongside her in the trenches — and I can confidently say that we are fortunate to have Inez Dickens fighting for Harlem’s families and businesses,” said Congressman Charles B. Rangel.
For over 30 years beginning as a student activist at the side of her father and mentor, the late Harlem businessman and NYS Assemblyman, Lloyd E. Dickens, Council Member Inez E. Dickens has taken an active role in economic development, small business with a focus on minority and women owned business enterprise, and political landscape of New York's celebrated village of Harlem.
“Council Member Dickens has been a tremendous advocate for our community. Whether it is securing funding to refurbish our parks, making sure our streets are clean, or thinking of new ways to support Harlem businesses, the Council Member has been steadfast in her efforts to improve the lives of those in our community .” said Paimaan Lodhi, Co-President of FDBA.
Since her tenure began in 2006, Councilmember Dickens has brought millions of dollars in services and resources to her community. She has continuously pushed the City administration to increase contracting with MWBE businesses, worked to increase the number of affordable homeownership developments, and funded public realm improvements like the Frederick Douglass Circle memorial and the children’s playground at Morningside Park.
“It is most fitting, that Councilwomen Inez Dickens is the 2016 award recipient. Councilwomen Dickens is a tireless warrior for equality and justice for her beloved Harlem community,” said New York State NAACP President, Hazel N. Dukes.
In receiving the award, Council Member Dickens said, “I am truly proud of the work FDBA has achieved in improving the quality of life for Harlemites through revitalizing our community with safe streets for businesses and families. I applaud the leadership of the residents, visitors, small business owners and workers for their commitment to the organization’s mission."