West Hempstead, New York – On March 23, 2018, the Ladies of LIAACC, a collaboration of women business leaders who are members of the Long Island African American Chamber feted four distinguished honorees who were inducted into our 2018 class of honorees. Past honorees have included Charna Rainey, Regional Marketing Manager Fidelis Care New York, Barbara Armand, President and CEO of Armand Corporation and Shelley Brazley, Former Interim Executive Director Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs. Each honoree exemplified the impact that women are having in today’s world.
Left to Right – Tatiana Leftenant, CEO and creator of Sheascents, LLC, Debra J. White Director, Supplier Relationship Management, New York Power Authority, Senior Councilwoman Town of Hempstead Dorothy L. Goosby, Lorraine Aycock, Senior Vice President and Enterprise Business and Community Engagement Market Manager for Bank of America and Vera Moore, CEO of Vera Moore Cosmetics and Skincare
Dr. Stephanie D. Burroughs, aka “The G.R.I.T. Factor” a dynamic and inspirational speaker, workshop facilitator and government contract strategist for small, minority, women and veteran business owner, delivered the keynote for this year’s gala.
Averi Harper of News12 Long Island served as Emcee for the evening.
Women’s History Month is one of the most cherished celebrations in the nation and this year’s selection of Women Who Shine displayed the barriers these women are continuing to shatter in each of their industries and professions. The work of these trailblazers is an inspiration.
The Ladies of LIAACC, in keeping with tradition have chose women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career and have excelled in their works.
The 2018 Class of Distinguished Honorees are listed below!
1) Lorraine Aycock, Senior Vice President and Enterprise Business and Community Engagement Market Manager for Bank of America. Ms. Aycock’s responsibilities enable her to support the Bank’s efforts to align and deliver marketing and charitable resources to meet constituent and community needs across Long Island. While working closely with the Bank’s Long Island Market President, she leads the planning and execution of sponsorship, philanthropic, community and business development initiatives locally.
2) Vera Moore, CEO of Vera Moore Cosmetics and Skincare – A former actress and present entrepreneur, is President and CEO of the highly competitive family owned business, Vera Moore Cosmetics. Established in 1979, Vera Moore Cosmetics was developed from the guidance of her husband a licensed esthetician. Vera Moore Cosmetics maintains the position that women should “clear it up” vs. “cover it up.” The brand is anchored in the belief that skincare is the focus coupled with the application of cosmetics. Thus, our mantra “SKINCARE is the TRUE foundation.”
Vera has appeared on several soap operas. Her major contract was landing the role of “Linda Metcalf” as one of the first black actresses in a family on the soap opera “Another World” on NBC for ten years. She immediately realized the void in the market for quality products for women of color; specifically, a natural looking foundation that did not rub off on your clothes. This gave birth to Vera Moore Cosmetics.
3) Debra J. White Director, Supplier Relationship Management, New York Power Authority is the new Director of (SRM) for the Authority, the nation’s largest state electric utility. She is responsible for developing a comprehensive approach to maximize strategic supplier relationships with the Authority. This will provide the Authority an opportunity to build a best-in-class supply chain operation, become instrumental in integrating supplier diversity into category management, sourcing processes, and increasing accountability among stakeholders.
4) Tatiana Leftenant is being honored as a “RISING STAR”. She is the CEO and creator of Sheascents, LLC. Her company produces all natural body butter products for people who have skin conditions like her (eczema or psoriasis). At only 15 years old Tatiana has been awarded and recognized by BET, Black Enterprise and Newsday, to name a few. She leads by example showing anyone that will listen that anything is possible with a little hard work and determination. Her mentoring and motivation of others is the best part of doing what she does which inspired BET to write a feature article on her titled “Stepping out on Faith”. She recently partnered with UBCTV to participate in their small business and technology program. Her advice to others is to just remember, “There are no limits, only the ones you put on yourself. KEEP CLIMBING!!”.
Left to Right: Committee Ladies of LIAACC host of “Women Who Shine” Annual Gala – Gail Richardson, Volunteer, Deidre Helberg, LIAACC’S Membership Chair, Sharon Davis, LIAACC’S Vice President, Bonita Clark, Volunteer, Deon Brown, LIAACC’S Co-Chair of Membership and Germaine Auguste, LIAACC’S Member
The committee would like to thank our corporate supporters, board of directors, members and the community at large for supporting such a magnificent affair.
For more information on the programs and activities of the chamber log on to www.liaacc.org and click on events calendar.
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