ALPHA PHI ALPHA
ETA THETA LAMBDA
FIRST OF ALL, SERVANTS OF ALL, WE SHALL TRANSCEND ALL
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Black History Month Commemorative Awards Celebration Honorees and Sponsors
Every year at our Awards Celebration Luncheon, the Brothers of Eta Theta Lambda recognize and honor a few notable and worthy candidates. The honorees this year can be found below:
Keynote Speaker
Marcus A. R. Childress
Jenner & Block, LLP Partner
Marcus A.R. Childress
Jenner & Block, LLP
Partner
Areas of Focus
Congressional Investigations
DEI Protection Task Force
ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance
Government Controversies and Public Policy Litigation
Marcus A.R. Childress leverages his extensive investigative and trial experience to guide clients through parallel inquiries, including congressional investigations, government enforcement actions, civil litigation, and workplace crises.
A skilled litigator and holistic investigations practitioner, Marcus has tried more than 20 criminal jury trials and routinely advises clients on Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) enforcement actions. He also counsels client on investigations related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), human rights issues, and other white-collar matters.
While serving as investigative counsel to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the US Capitol, Marcus conducted more than 60 depositions and interviews of key witnesses. As an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the US Air Force and a Special Assistant US Attorney in the Middle District of Georgia, he oversaw more than 100 criminal investigations.
Prior to entering the legal field, Marcus was a systems engineer who specialized in software system requirements. Clients benefit from his subject matter knowledge of preparing proposals for Government contracts and working on-site as a member of engineering teams.
Marcus is passionate about issues impacting the Black community, and as such, serves as the Co-Chair of the firm’s DEI Protection Task Force. In this role, Marcus helps companies and organizations navigate the political and litigation risks stemming from the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding race-conscious admissions. Marcus is also an active member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, serving as a City Lead, and is a member of the DC Bar Association’s DEIA Task Force. He is frequently interviewed by leading media outlets, including CNN and MSNBC. Marcus is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc.
Regina Armstrong counts it a privilege to have been employed in the Hempstead Union Free School District (HUFSD) for the past 34 years, serving in the following positions: a teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. For the past six years, she has served as the Superintendent of Schools. Although it is the most challenging accomplishment of her career, it is also the most rewarding. She is
humbled by the opportunity to lead the district in this capacity. Her mantra for the district is “Getting to Greater,” because the students in this community deserve nothing but the best!
In June of 1990, Regina obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Queens College, Flushing, New York. Upon graduating from college, Regina knew the only place she wanted to teach was in the Hempstead School District. Her educational journey started in September 1990 at Franklin Elementary School (now known as Joseph A. McNeil Elementary School) in Hempstead, as a second-grade teacher. Having a passion for tutoring people of all ages, especially in reading, she attended Hofstra University in August of 1990 to pursue a Master of Science in Reading. The information she learned became invaluable in developing her teaching practices that led to her receiving many awards for her students achieving their yearly targets in Reading and Math. As much as Regina loves and appreciates her career as an educator, she knows none of her accomplishments would be possible without the grace of God. She uses her gifts and talents to teach, witness, lead, and support Kingdom building. She has been a member of the Emanuel Baptist Church in Elmont since 1978. For the past 14 years she has served as the Supervisor of Emanuel Youth’s Church; she has also served as the young adult and adult Sunday school teacher. Her church activities also extend into her local district association, the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) of New York, Inc. She has held the position of General Supervisor for the Maggie B. Greene Youth and Young Adult Ministry, an active member of the College Scholarship Commission, and Special Events Team. In September of 2021, she was appointed an EBA trustee and in November 2021 became the Financial Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Regina feels blessed that God has given her a servant’s heart.
Regina feels fortunate to have a strong support team, made up of her loving mother, Corine, her father J.R. (from Heaven), four sisters: Phyllis, Patricia, LaVern, and Michelle, eleven nieces and nephews, several loyal friends, and colleagues. Her two favorite scriptures are: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17a) and “God can do all things exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or think according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Her life is a testament to both.
Honoree
Regina Armstrong
Superintendent of Schools
Hempstead Union Free School District
Honoree
Deborah Carter
Founder and President
Full Court 365, Inc.
Deborah A. Carter is the Founder and President of Full Court 365, Inc., a full-service management company. Deborah's early career began working for various Fortune 500 corporations. Feeling that” corporate life” was not for her, she considers herself a veteran entrepreneur. She has individually, or through partnerships participated in dozens of successful venture start-ups including franchises and small businesses.
Deborah is currently president of The Central Nassau Club of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., a national organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of business and professional women. She is a member of Long Island (NY) Chapter of The Links, Inc., International Reading Association, Literacy Suffolk, M.O.B.B. United (Mothers of Black Boys), The Amputee Coalition and various business groups.
Deborah is a certified grant writer and specializes in grants for children’s initiatives, recently securing a grant to provide bionic limbs & prosthetics for children in the United States and Africa. Additionally, Deborah serves as a Corporate Philanthropy Advisor, assisting private companies and foundations with social responsibility through community giving. Deborah is the recipient of various awards including The Woman of Distinction Award from The Town of Oyster Bay and The Town of Brookhaven.
As part of her personal social responsibility, Deborah volunteers as a suicide prevention counselor, provides scholarships and hosts events throughout the year. Events include a "Christmas in July Pajama Drive", which will supply new pajamas for children in homeless shelters to wear on Christmas morning., "The Power of
Sisterhood" highlighting the strength of African American senior women, " The Kings of
Long Island" (Showcasing African American males ages 13-21) , "Greatness365"( Creating awareness for young adult entrepreneurship), Get Booked ( A book collection campaign for young adults) and an African American Doll Toy Drive ensuring young girls receive a doll for Christmas that looks like them.
Deborah A. Carter is the author of Full Court Emotions. Through a fictional basketball-based storyline, Full Court Emotions engages young adult readers to achieve a greater understanding of anger, disappointment, abandonment and more. (Over 10,000 copies sold).
Lynn M. O’Connor, MD MPH FACS FASCRS, is the Director of Colon and Rectal Surgery of New York and the Section Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital in New
York. Dr. O'Connor made history by becoming the first Black female Colorectal Police Surgeon for the New York Police Department. Her swearing-in ceremony was covered nationally and internationally in 2023.
She was interviewed live on several high-profile news shows, including Good Morning America. Dr. O'Connor is a sought-after speaker, lecturing nationally on advanced techniques for minimally invasive colorectal surgery, colon cancer screening, and colorectal health. She has excelled in academia and garnered many honors and awards throughout the years, making her an influential leader in colorectal surgery. She has been featured in many media outlets, including NBC News, Sirius/XM, TodayShow.com, and Men's Health Magazine.
Her mission is to provide patients with the foremost treatment, technology, and information related to preventive public health issues and colon and rectal health. She is outspoken about declining health patterns due to lack of exercise, rising obesity, and the increase in colon cancer rates among young adults. Dr. O'Connor's education includes: MPH, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Colon & Rectal Fellowship; Georgia Colon & Rectal
Surgical Clinic Atlanta, GA; General Surgery Residency, Union Memorial Hospital Baltimore, MD; Radiation Oncology Fellowship, Johns Hopkins Hospital; Baltimore, MD; Temple University School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA.
Honoree
Dr. Lynn M. O'Connor
Director of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Honoree
Dahlian Porter
Chief Program Officer
Adapt Community Network
Dahlian Porter is the Chief Program Officer at ADAPT Community Network. He has worked in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities field since 1987. His first job in the field was a Direct Care Worker a position which afforded him the opportunity to understand how to provide quality services to the people supported and to understand the outreach required in the underserved communities.
Dahlian joined the UCP of NYC Family (now ADAPT Community Network) in 2004 in the position of Coordinator of Operations. During his tenure at agency he has held several key positions as a member of the senior management team. ADAPT Community Network is the leading non-profit organization and a pioneer in providing cutting-edge programs and services that improve the quality of life for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. For over 75 years, ADAPT Community Network has created a more inclusive world for children and adults with a variety of disabilities.
As part of his advocacy efforts in 2019 Dahlian was elected to serve as the Vice
President of the Executive Board of the Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc., IAC serves over 150 Agencies providing services to children and adults in NY State. Dahlian also co-chairs IAC’s Residential Committee. In addition, Dahlian sits on several committees hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State.
As a member of the Baldwin community Dahlian is part of a family business, Sweet & Savory Café. For the past 10yrs Sweet & Savory has been a supporting member of the community through various initiatives, providing inspiring new artist a venue to develop their craft, networking events to build a strong Baldwin and many other community-based activities. Amazing food and quality personalized service is a stable at Sweet & Savory.
Dahlian received his BA from Dowling College and is a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities
Vanessa Baird-Streeter attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in Economics and Education. Upon graduating from Dartmouth, Vanessa joined Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs and as a financial analyst, Vanessa worked in the financial industry for a total of ten years serving as a financial analyst and bond buyer. She has served the Director of the Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry, Director of Communications for the Town of Babylon, Executive Director and Vice President of Communications for the Long Island Power Authority, Director of the Venettes Cultural Workshop, CEO of VBS Hair Collection and currently serves as the woman of color to hold the position of Suffolk County Deputy County Executive (DCE).
In the role of Deputy County Executive, Vanessa oversees a wide variety of County agencies, projects, and initiatives: Community Based Intervention, Language Access operations, the Department of Labor Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Traffic and Parking Violations Bureau, an early education pilot entitled; Smart Start Suffolk that focuses on children 0-5 years of age, their families and community, and, the Suffolk County Department of Human Services which houses the Youth Bureau, Women’s
Services, the Offices of Minority Affairs, Aging, and Veterans Services. Additionally,
Vanessa serves as one of the County’s Police Accountability Liaisons and leads the County’s MWBE/SDVOB (Minority, Women, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned businesses) Disparity Study aimed at providing the legal framework for establishing MWBE/SVDOB requirements as part of the County’s procurement process.
In September 2020, County Executive Bellone appointed Vanessa to serve as chair of the Suffolk County Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force leading the effort of Reform and Reinvention of the Suffolk County Police Department. Throughout seven-month reform plan process, Vanessa facilitated executive and sub-committee meetings of the Suffolk County Police Reform & Reinvention Task Force, led public listening sessions that provided opportunities for over 1,200 Suffolk County community members to share their recommendations on police reform.
Vanessa also serves as the Executive Director of the Venettes Cultural Workshop, Inc., a performing arts organization focused on providing technical training and academic motivation through the Arts. Weekly, the organization services over 250 youth using the instruction of the performing arts as a vehicle to expose students to the history, culture and legacy of the African diaspora. In addition, the Venettes supports students in the postsecondary academic pursuits. Over the past 30 years, the Venettes Cultural Workshop has awarded over $750,000 in academic scholarships to students.
Honoree
Vanessa Baird Streeter
Executive Director
Honoree
David A. Patterson
55th Governer
State of New York
David Alexander Paterson became the 55th Governor of the State of New York on March 17, 2008. In his first address as Governor, he spoke about the challenges facing New York and his plans to build a better and brighter future for all citizens. He was ahead of the national curve in predicting and acting on the state’s fiscal downturn.
During Governor Paterson’s 2008 inaugural address, he foretold of an impending national fiscal crisis and collapse. This forecast compelled New York’s Legislature to convene for a special session in August 2008. As a result of this session, the state reduced its deficit by $2 billion and mitigated further devastating financial upheaval, allowing it to maintain its credit rating for the duration of his term. He enacted legislation attaching severe criminal penalties to predatory lending and reduced New York’s fiscal deficit by nearly $40 billion. One of his greatest achievements was establishing a new budget process that has yielded on-time budgets since he left office.
Governor Paterson embodies a rare combination of skills, including a unique understanding of marketplace drivers and surrounding events. He earned his B.A in History from Columbia University and his J.D. from Hofstra Law School.
Prior to becoming New York State’s 55th governor in March 2008, David began his political career when he was elected to represent Harlem in 1985 at the age of 31, making him the third youngest state senator in New York’s history. In 2002, he was elected as Minority Leader of the New York State Senate, becoming the first African-American and blind legislative leader in the state’s history. Among his many other accomplishments and distinctions, he was honored to address the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
In 2014, David was appointed as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Party and served on the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He was previously an adjunct professor of government at New York University and later joined the faculty at Touro College. He consulted for three years for the Durst Corporation and the National Federation of the Blind and currently chairs the Board of the Achilles Track Club.
David hosts a popular drive-time talk radio show on WABC-AM, was formerly a host of a radio show on WOR-AM in New York City and is a highly sought-after speaker, frequently appearing as a guest commentator on nationally broadcast news-related programs.
Upon leaving his position as Director/Investments with the Stifel Investment Bank’s Moldaver Paterson & Lee Group, he joined Kivvit, a nationally acclaimed public affairs and public relations firm.
David is also Senior Vice President and Senior Advisor to Las Vegas Sands Corp. In his current position, he is helping lead the charge to help the casino and resort developer’s efforts to expand gaming downstate to create jobs and bring billions of dollars in immediate and sustainable revenue streams that will help people throughout New York.
David recently published his autobiography, Black, Blind & In Charge, a story of visionary leadership and overcoming adversity.
