Laura Glesby Photo
Linda Davis-Cannon.
Each year, Linda Davis-Cannon leads a group of around eleven local teenagers to become stewards of Newhallville as paid neighborhood “ambassadors.” Over the course of a six-week leadership training program, the ambassadors pursue community projects based on their interests. In past years, they’ve cleaned up litter, tended to street planters, and beautified local parks. They’ve also produced community newsletters and brochures about recycling.
With tears in her eyes, Davis-Cannon recalled a presentation this year’s cohort gave about their vision for Newhallville, sharing ideas for increased safety and a new community center.
“They’ve grown,” she said of the teens who participated. “I still have a lot of contact with the youth, who use me as a reference or just sit down and chat.”
On Saturday night, as the Newhallville Community Management Team celebrated the holiday season, it also celebrated Davis-Cannon — alongside a number of other activists and political representatives who received awards for building community in Newhallville. Both new and familiar faces gathered at the management team’s annual holiday party at ConnCAT, a local career center.
Davis-Cannon is a regular presence at the Newhallville Community Management Team, where she gives monthly reports as the neighborhood specialist from New Haven’s anti-blight agency, the Livable City Initiative (LCI). She started the ambassador program in 2015 through the management team, using funds from a $10,000 Neighborhood Public Improvement Project grant from LCI.
One award went to Mayor Toni Harp for her “dedication and her compassion for Newhallville.”
Mayor Toni Harp.
“What I will remember the most about Newhallville is how you all came together — how you transformed this neighborhood,” Harp, who leaves office Jan. 1, said as she accepted the honor. She cited some of the management team’s successes, including the creation of outdoor public spaces like Cherry Ann Street Park and the Learning Corridor, as well as the One City Initiative that the team spearheaded to increase collaboration between neighborhoods across New Haven.
Delphine Clyburn, who represents Newhallville’s Ward 20 on the Board of Alders, was recognized in honor of her upcoming retirement from a state-run group home. “That means that she can give more time to us,” said Shirley Lawrence as she handed Clyburn her trophy.
As Clyburn received the award, she revealed that she had 19 honors of her own to present.
Clyburn distributed official citations from the Board of Alders recognizing a group of her neighbors who “inspire others to move forward and be a voice in the community.”
“They go to rallies. They go to the hospital. They go to the Thanksgiving dinner we do for the homeless… They’ve been there when it’s time to go Downtown and really speak for us” at City Hall, Clyburn said later. “They hold up my arms for me.”
Delphine Clyburn with some of the neighbors who received citations.
The management team honored Minister Deborah Conyers, Linda Davis-Cannon, Doreen Abubakar, Visel’s Pharmacy, State Rep. Robyn Porter, Alder Clyburn, and Mayor Toni Harp.
The Board of Alders recognized Eric Crenshaw, Rose Joyner, Ken Joyner, Nina Faucett, Jeanette Sykes, Cheryl Hurdle, Jacquelynn West, Lottie Gillard, Kim Harris, Hazel Williams, Oscar Havyarimana, Shirley Lawrence, Cynthia Spears, Deborah Conyers, Barbara Vereen, Doreen Abubakar, Carlotta Clark, Mary Griffin, and Alberta Gibbs.
Gammy Moses plays Beyonce’s “Love On Top.”
For the rest of the night, the management team members and guests soaked in the holiday spirit. A host of community members and institutions contributed to the party. ConnCAT, which runs a culinary training program, catered. Gammy Moses DJ’d.
Management Team member and lifelong Newhallville resident Rodney Williams donated toys to be given out to every child who attended. “Christmastime come, I know everyone needs a little extra,” he said. “Their hands will be full leaving.”
Joshua James, sword in hand, with his family, Kimberly, Terrance, and John.
Upstairs, guests posed for photographs, entered a raffle for gifts, and had their faces painted.
Sandra Sisty of Smiles By Sandy inflated brightly-colored twistable balloons. After she had started to close up her station for the night, one child, Joshua James, pleaded for one last balloon.
Sisty relented.
“Don’t tell anyone, OK?” she said as she twisted him a black sword.
Later in the evening, Management Team Chair Kim Harris announced the winners of the raffle, with each prize categorized by age group. A group of kids gathered around her in anticipation.
From the Pre‑K raffle, Lantz Hinds proudly won a pair of toy cars and a stuffed animal.
Harris said she noticed a few new faces that night, alongside management team regulars. “They’re getting a chance to see the beauty that’s here,” she said. “Hopefully, they’ll become members so that they have a voice in what’s happening.”