Freddy Fixer Gala Recognizes Local Heroes

Sequins and sharp suits were out in full force at the Omni Hotel Thursday night for the third Elm City Freddy Fixer Awards Gala.

The event, which honors local heroes and leaders also kicks off the community and fundraising events that will lead up to the annual parade in June.

“The gala’s main objective was to recognize the ongoing efforts of our unsung Greater New Haven community members who, often silently, contribute to the vitality of our New Haven community,” Petisia Adger, Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade Committee president, said in an email. ​“Monetarily, the gala along with this year’s silent auction nets approximately $3,000 that will be used to offset parade costs.”

She said the parade committee organizes the gala as a means of giving back to the community and doesn’t see the event only through the lens of fundraising. The gala does, however, afford organizers an opportunity to solicit corporate and business sponsors that attend this event.

This year’s gala, which drew an estimated nearly 200 people honored the following twelve local heroes :

• Leonard Jahad (pictured at the top of the story with Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade Committee President Petisia Adger, Vice President Diane Brown, and Dexter Jones) serves as the executive director of the Connecticut Violence Intervention Program. He also received the Larry T. Young award. He was recognized for his community service around youth engagement and violence prevention.

• Dr. Fred Smith Award: The Bowens family was recognized for their contributions as entrepreneurs and dedication to the Freddy Fixer Parade. William and Millicent Bowens, married for 50 years, are the owners of B&W Painting. Their son, William Jr. is the project coordinator for the company. Alisa is the owner and artistic director of Alisa’s House of Salsa and holds the distinction of being the first African-American in Connecticut and the fifth in the country to launch a beer company, Rhythm Brewing Co.

• The Revs. Darnell and Darrell McClam of McClam Funeral Home were recognized with the Dr. Fred Smith award for their family’s long service to the community.

• Edna Baker Carnegie Award: Carlah Esdaile-Brag, who is the director of marketing and community relations for Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, was recognized for her work in the area of re-entry and her service with several community organizations including the Greater New Haven NAACP along with her service to the parade.

• Carroll E. Brown, president of the West Haven Black Coalition, also was recognized with the Edna Baker Carnegie award for her civil rights advocacy work in both New Haven and West Haven.

• Edward Grant Award: Erik Clemmons, CEO and president of ConnCAT, was recognized for his work in non-profit management and organizational leadership. ConnCAT also is serving as the 2019 parade grand marshal.

• The men of the Whalley Sample Shop also were recognized with the Edward Grant Award for their longtime commitment to the community

• Maria Ponteau Award: Nina D. Silva was recognized for her work as a member of the Freddy Fixer Committee that helped revitalize the parade, her advocacy for children with special needs and as president of the Dixwell Community Management Team.

• Larry T. Young Award: Chad Herzog, co-director of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, was recognized for his work and collaboration with the parade.

• Dr. Charles Twyman Award: The Trinidad American Association of Southern Connecticut, was recognized for their work in the area of cultural exchange.

• Patricia Mauro Lawlor, former deputy chief of staff for the City of New Haven, was recognized for her long service — nearly 40 years — to the mayor’s office. She was unable to attend Thursday’s gala but Alexis Perkins accepted the award on her behalf.

• Rodney Williams, president of Right Way Landscaping LLC, was recognized for his commitment to the community and dedication to the parade and its mission.

Adger and Brown, who have served as president and vice president of the committee that has spearheaded the parade since its revitalization three years ago, announced at Thursday’s gala that they would not be seeking reelection and would be looking for people to step up and take the lead for next year’s parade.

And with that serious business out of the way it was time to get down to the fun part of the evening: the party.

With The Rahsaan Langley Project crooning popular R&B tunes people like Board of Police Commissioner Evelise Ribeiro and Housing Authority of New Haven Commissioner William Kilpatrick made their way to the dance floor.

If you’re looking for more ways to support the upcoming Freddy Fixer consider these events:

• May 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. is the 2nd Fashion Show featuring fashion designs by Donald Carter, East Rock Elks Lodge, 87 Webster St. (Read here about last year’s inaugural show.)
• May 18 8 to 11 a.m. is the annual Dixwell Community Clean-up Day starting at the intersection of Dixwell and Bassett.
• May 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. is the Live Jazz Happy Hour featuring Jesse ​“Cheese” Hameen, East Rock Elks Lodge, 87 Webster St.
• June 1 from noon to 4 p.m. Dixwell Freddy Fixer Neighborhood Festival, Scantlebury Park, 139 Ashmun St.
• June 2 starting at 1:30 p.m. is the Annual Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade.