In Honor of a Bed-Stuy Luminary: Tohma Y. Faulkner

“I had the pleasure of meeting Tohma in 2006, when [my] boutique was in its infancy stages,” wrote Kishana L. Holland on her blog, Tres Chic Boutique.

“Tohma quickly stopped in the boutique, introduced herself and was eager to learn who I was and what were my intentions in her beloved community of Bedford Stuyvesant. I must admit, our first meeting would have never led me to believe she would be one of my biggest supporters and ultimately serve as my mentor and friend.”

Tohma Y. Faulkner passed away on September 6, 2008-- a transition that rocked her entire community of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

“The World has lost a great voice, Delta Sigma Theta Sororority, Inc. has lost a devoted soror, and the Bedford Stuyvesant Community has lost one of its greatest heroes,” wrote Holland.

Tohma Faulkner was one of the founders of Bed-Stuy Alive!

She was dedicated, persistent, smart, hard working and passionate about her community of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

In addition to being 2nd vice chair of Community Board 3, Ms. Faulkner served on the board of directors for Vannguard Urban Improvement Association, the former president of the Brownstoners, a member of the steering committee for the Bedford-Stuyvesant Gateway Business Improvement District and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was also an involved member of Bethany Baptist Church.

On Saturday, October 8, 2011, beginning at 10:00am, outside of Restoration Plaza, Bed-Stuy Alive! will kick off its week of ceremonies with the 3rd Annual Tohma Y. Faulkner Community Awards, honoring New York residents whose dedication and contributions to the Bed-Stuy community have embodied Tohma Y. Faulkner’s legacy.

The event will start with a musical presentation by Boys and Girls High School, followed by remarks by Rhonda Lewis, executive director of Bridge Street Development Corporation and City Councilmember Al Vann.

The St. Paul Community Baptist Church will present excerpts from the MAAFA Suite, followed by an introduction by Assemblymember Annette Robinson of this year’s award recipients, including:

ART TRAILBLAZER: Emmet Wigglesworth

COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Dordy Jourdain

CULTURAL TRAILBLAZER: Pamela Green

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAILBLAZER: Eric Bullen

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAILBLAZER: Esther Williams

NEW ENTREPRENEUR: Winfield Harrell, III

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR: Fela Barclift

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR: Christopher Smith

YOUTH ACHIEVER: Shyandre Terrell-Foskey

The public is welcomed to join the Bed-Stuy Alive! 2011 Planning Committee, community leaders, elected officials and all other residents on Saturday, October 8, at 10:00am, in honoring this year's 2011 Tohma Y. Faulkner award recipients.