Audrey’s Society Whirl: Pat Stevenson Honored with Outstanding Media & Publisher Award by Mid-Manhattan NAACP at Annual Freedom Fund Luncheon By Audrey J. Bernard Society Editor

Categories: Articles, Audrey Bernard,

More than fifty years ago, an ambitious gal from Savannah, Georgia landed in Queens New York and eventually settled in Harlem thirty years ago.. Shortly after her arrival in Harlem she noticed that the community did not have a “free” community paper. “Harlem was one of the few places in New York where there was no ‘free’ community newspaper,” she observed.  “There was plenty of negative press given to Harlem, when in fact there were many positive  things going on in the community.” 
Therefore she pooled all  her resources and began publishing the Harlem Community News, a publication focused on ‘positive’ news and information concerning health, education, business, housing and entertaining events happening in the community. So, she set out to correct this mistake and started a community paper filled with “Good News You Can Use” which became the motto of her corporation.
Today, she is the proud publisher of the Harlem Community Newspapers, Inc, a Harlem-based corporation that publishes several weekly community newspapers including the Harlem Community News, Brooklyn Community News, Bronx Community News, and Queens Community News in areas  with predominantly African-American populations. Her efforts have brought positive awareness to these four boroughs with an emphasis on Harlem.  Stevenson’s heroic efforts have resulted in positive awareness of these four robust boroughs with special attention to Her Harlem! She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her part in making Harlem a great place to visit and an even greater place to live!
On Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the 20th Annual Freedom Fund Awards Luncheon held at the luxurious Marina del Rey supper club in Throgs Neck, New York, Black Excellence was on the menu. Hosted by Cheryl Wills, Spectrum News New York 1, and Former Governor David A. Paterson, guests attentively looked on as Stevenson received the coveted Roy Wilkins’ Outstanding Media and Publishers Award presented by Kyndell A. Reid, Esq., President, NAACP Mid-Manhattan.  Stevenson was recognized for her exemplary contribution and powerful leadership along with four other excellent Roy Wilkins award recipients: Senator Cordell Cleare, New York State Senator, 30th District (Public Service Award); Peter J. Westbrook {Outstanding Olympian and Public Service Award); Jennifer Jones Austin (Civil Rights and Social Policy Advocate Award); and Peggy Shepard (Environmental and Climate Justice Award). All honorees enthralled guests with their impactful personal anecdotes which led to their gratifying success.
Additionally, the Certificate of Silver Life Membership recognizing life membership in the iconic organization was presented to Mary Redd and Audrey J. Bernard. During the impactful lunch guests enjoyed a magnificent afternoon that featured a rousing invocation by Rev. Jacques DeGraff, the inspirational Negro National Anthem performed by Wadleigh Secondary School of Performing & Visual Arts, and gracious greetings from Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, President, NAACP NYS Conference. This is a favored event by and for the Black community and once again delivered a classic afternoon filled with joy, a delicious lunch, open bar, and dancing to music by Warren Daniels Band. 

(Photos by
Hubert Williams at
Hubert@imagezofus.com)