Categories: Articles,
The 2025 FDBA C. Virginia Fields Awards ceremony was held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the renowned Chocolat Restaurant and Bar located on Frederick Douglas Boulevard (FDB). Founded by Harlemites dedicated to improving the quality of life along the historic FDB corridor, the Frederick Douglas Boulevard Alliance (FDBA), a not-for-profit organization has recognized community leaders with the C. Virginia Fields Award since 2014.
This year’s award dinner was presented like a well-oiled machine and recognized 6 prominent community leaders while continuing to celebrate, through the namesake awards, the impact, contributions and legacy that C. Virginia Fields created and has left for the Harlem community.
The ceremony opened with greetings from FDBA Co-President Ivo Philbert, and FDBA Founder and Co-President Rose Pierre-Louis, who introduced C Virginia Fields to the enthusiastically waiting guests.
C. Virginia Fields served two terms as Manhattan Borough President. During her tenure she led the charge to transform a large, ignored and redlined section of FDB into the thriving gateway to Harlem that it continues to be today.
The Harriet Tubman Memorial statue at the intersection of FDB and 122nd Street; and the Frederick Douglas Memorial Circle at the intersection of FDB and 110th Street are results of her diligence, conscientiousness and efforts to enrich FDB and recognize Harlem as an integral part of Manhattan and New York City.
She ignited the crowd when she said “We ain’t going nowhere” and “Don’t give up, don’t be discouraged” in today’s political climate. She officially announced her retirement as CEO for Black Health, a health advocacy nonprofit known as the National Black Leadership Commission on Health, but plans to continue to advocate for social justice, civil rights and political issues affecting our community.
The 6 awardees consisted of distinguished community leaders including public officials and long-time Harlem business owners.
Awardees were Curtis Archer, President Harlem Community Development Corporation since 2006 and whose advocacy career spans more than two decades.
Manhattan District Attorney Hon. Alvin Bragg who has spent more than two decades fighting for safer communities and a fairer criminal justice system.
Hon. Adriano Espaillat, U.S. Representative for New York’s 13th Congressional District who is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Each year Hon. Espaillat proudly renews his congressional resolution honoring the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.
Hon. Keisha Sutton-James, Manhattan Deputy Borough President is a 5th generation born and raised child of Harlem. As Manhattan Deputy Borough President she continues the proud legacy of her remarkable Harlem family.
Long-term Harlem business owners, Adriane R. Ferguson, owner of B2 and Billies Black Restaurants, and Alvin Lee Smalls, Owner, Lee Lees’ Baked Goods have been pillars of the community representing what entrepreneurship looks like and can be.
As stated by Rose Pierre-Louis, this year’s line up was incredible and very intentional. Each award was well deserved.
It is critical to the survival of our communities that we publicly continue to recognize and celebrate the successes and contributions of our leaders, neighbors and families.
