The Yonkers African American Heritage Committee held its annual Black History Month luncheon Feb. 29 at the Nepperhan Community Center. This year’s honorees included Heather Burnett-Gainey, who recently passed away and whose daughter accepted a proclamation from Mayor Mike Spano’s office.
Burnett-Gainey was honored for her community engagement and volunteerism in the City of Yonkers, and her work with the African American Heritage Committee as vice president, her dedication to help organize parades and events including the ragamuffin Halloween parade and the Juneteenth celebration, as well as veterans’ events in various capacities.
Burnett-Gainey worked at the Nepperhan Community Center in Yonkers, where she taught etiquette classes to students and adults. She was the band coordinator for the Nepperhan Marching Band and assisted residents with jobs in the Life Program to help residents in the community get back into the workforce, and also helped with the homeless food bank. She has been a member and now vice president of the nonprofit Yonkers African American Heritage Committee for the past 44 years (since 1975).
Burnett-Gainey is a mother of two daughters: Nicole Burnett-Roughion, who served in the U.S. Marines and is an RN in New Rochelle; and Maxine Burnett, who is a college student studying nursing. She is also grandmother of five children.
“I’ve lived in Yonkers for over 40 years and I love this town,” said Burnett-Gainey. “She (meaning Yonkers) has her flaws, but it’s nothing we can’t fix. Our children here in Yonkers are our future and with a little love, compassion and understanding, we will be able to begin to spread joy and hope in their lives. I ask all the adults in our community – even the organizations – to stand with our children, even when the storm is hard. You will be surprised at the end.”
Other honorees included Dwayne Cloud and Tonia Carter-Mitchell, who both gave their thoughts about growing up in Yonkers. Many elected officials were in attendance, including State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Mayor Mike Spano, City Council President Mike Khader, Councilwoman Shanae Williams, Congressman Eliot Engel, City Council Majority Leader Corazon Pineda-Isaac, Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, and County Legislator Christopher Johnson – who served as the keynote speaker for the luncheon.
Yonkers City Court candidates Dan Romano, Karen Best and Verris Shako also attended and lent their support. Cristina’s Bakery donated the cake and a performance by the Telpochcalli Traditional Mexican Performing Arts and Theater entertained the crowd.
