Allan Appel Photo
Jefferson and Hill.
New Haven civil rights attorney Michael Jefferson was named for the third time. New Haven funeral director Howard Hill was a rookie on the list.
They and 98 other individuals whom the state NAACP deemed “the most influential blacks” in Connecticut gathered at the Omni Hotel ballroom on Saturday to meet, greet, and celebrate.
The occasion was the 48th annual state convention of the historic black civil rights organization.
Among other Elm City-based honorees included: Housing Authority of New Haven Executive Director Karen DuBois-Walton; Mayor-Elect Toni Harp; Yale University top cop Ronnell Higgins (at far right in photo, with state NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile second from left); state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield; Hill Alderwoman and Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Jacqueline James; Gateway Community College President Dr. Dorsey Kendrick; Yale University Director of Diversity Deborah McAuley; First Niagara Bank Senior Veep Paul McCraven; state Rep. Toni Walker; Yale child development guru James P. Comer; and President and CEO of Barton Medical Imaging Fitz Walker, Jr
Jefferson called his being named an “extraordinary honor,” as did Hill.
“All I have to do is live up to it,” Jefferson added.
“We are thrilled to honor African American men and women in Connecticut who are making a difference in our communities,” stated state NAACP President Esdaile. “From education to entertainment, law enforcement to legislators, this represents some of the best and brightest who are leading the charge for change in the state.”
Addressing the convention, New Haven Mayor-Elect Harp congratulated the NAACP on the “104 years of service you have given to humanity.”
“If you think about the rights that people have throughout the world that they wouldn’t have had had there not been an NAACP, this world would be very different,” Harp said.
Congrat Mike!!! The honor was well deserved. Keep doing what your doing!