By Deidre Montague
Many community members were in attendance for The Angel of Edgewood’s 2025 Women’s History Month Celebration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Dunkin Park in Hartford on Mar. 25.
Their theme for this year is “United In Purpose: Championing DEI Against The Odds,” which included a panel of community leaders and awards for numerous community leaders who are dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The panelists were Jodi Hill-Lilly – Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families, Andrea Barton Reeves – Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, Yvette Young – Associate Vice President of Training and Advocacy at the Village of Families and Children, Symphonie Privett- Morning Anchor at FOX61, Kara Rosado – General Manager of Zohara’s Mediterrean Kitchen / DORO Restaurant Group, Lissette Andino – Director of Equity and Environmental Justice at Eversource, and Brooke Goff – Founder of Goff Law Firm.
The emcee and panel Moderator of the event was Cheryl Sharp, Deputy Director of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO).
Sharp set the tone for the panel discussion by sharing the importance of making sure that everyone does their part to make the world a better place, especially during these difficult societal and political times, where diversity, equity, and inclusion is under attack.
She shared a powerful story about a recent conversation she had with a Black boy fearful of his future due to the recent civil unrest.
“It was a few weeks ago that an 11 year old boy said to me, ‘I’m really, really scared. Right now, I just want to know if I’m going to be re-enslaved?’ One of our children, a little Black boy, said, ‘I wonder if I’m going to be re enslaved, because there is so much unrest right now in our country.’ It is our job. He said, ‘I don’t think you adults get it, you’re not doing enough to safeguard and protect me. What are you going to do, so I don’t have to go to bed with this fear that is burning a hole in my heart?’ ” she said.
Sharpe said that day and moment she rededicated herself to civil rights enforcement, to education, through outreach, to advocacy, through training, which spurred her to say yes when the Angel of Edgewood founder Jendayi Scott-Miller asked her to moderate and emcee this panel.
One of the questions that Sharpe asked the panel is what community members can do to resist the anti-civil rights agenda that seems to be prevalent on a national level. Young said that more discussions, where the focus is on championing DEI.
“We cannot cower down, back off, and hide ourselves under a rock somewhere hoping for the next four years to pass and that we survive it. We’re going to fight, we’re going to have to be very intentional and conscious about saying, ‘This is what I believe.
This is how I’m going to choose to practice in whatever arena I’m in, and even if it means that we’re going to have to struggle for a little bit, or it might be hard at times. We are committed to not allowing our society and our lives to have to go back to a time like that,” she said.
Privett answered the same question next, saying that in addition to not being silenced, it is important that everyone remembers the power of community and leaning on one another.
“There was a time when the support wasn’t coming from higher levels. Who were the people who were getting together to make sure the people in their community were taken care of – their neighbors, the children?
It was everyone in their community. Just remembering how powerful that can be to connect together – to make sure that kids have the resources they need, that there are safe spaces for everyone, that people don’t feel like they have to bring their own fold up chair to a table and make space,” she said.
Another question Sharpe asked the panel is what they believe is the most important civil rights issue that the nation is facing at this moment in history.
Goff said that she thinks that the real problem now is that there are still conversations about civil rights.
“We shouldn’t be having them. It’s 2025, we’re all the same. When I grew up, I was having these same conversations, and as I said, I (feel) they’ve gotten worse. I think as a community, yeah, hold events like this, sure, but it’s got to be at a bigger level. And it starts…with how you vote. That’s the truth. You can vote for broken promises, or you can vote for equality. That’s what it’s going to come down to the next election. So to me, the civil rights issue right now is the next four years, because we’re going to be dealing with it,” she said. Sharpe also asked the panel what can our unsung heroes do to ensure that all of the Civil Rights gains are not rolled back and what can they do to help.
Barton Reeves said that she encourages them to continue to fight, because the most important thing is humanity and dignity – not having to worry about having housing, access to food, healthcare, or having to make the difficult decision to either buy medication or pay rent / utility bills.
“Our unsung heroes have to continue to fight to hold those that have the power accountable for the decisions that they make and the impact that they have on people. These decisions are not made in a vacuum. Every time you decide to spend $1 or you take it from someone else, that is something that someone else is deprived of, and they live with a little less dignity, and then they live with less and less and less until it doesn’t look like a real human life anymore. And that’s what we have to fight against. That’s where our energy has to go,” she said. Hill-Lilly added that she believes that we need to tap into the younger generation, as they are the future.
“I think in a lot of ways, the younger generation are unsung heroes and sheroes. And so…as unsung heroes, to your point, we’re tired. We are tired. I would say, as unsung heroes, sometimes, we need to get some rest…take care of yourself as an act of resistance so you can come back and do the work. And then, other times we need to get out of the way and let somebody else stand up…Unsung heroes also need to pass the baton to others who can help…Every voice matters…everybody needs to have their own assignment…I don’t care what it is, just do something,” she said.
Rosado answered the question of how community members can support the current local leaders doing the work, saying that we should be offering them support and assistance.
“It takes nothing for you to look for five seconds on Google at nonprofit organizations within a five mile radius, send them an email and say, ‘How can I help you?’ I’m the general manager of a restaurant in West Hartford. I can give you this, this and this, I’m happy to do a donation. I see you have an event coming up. I love to be a part of it.’ That takes so little time from you, and it takes so much off their plate. It takes so much just a weight off of them,” she said.
Andino answered the final question of the panel discussion of how to inspire the next generation during these tough societal and political times, saying that adults need to check how they present themselves emotionally with the youth in their lives.
“So if you’re fearful, if you’re anxious, you need to make sure you’ve done your work to hold that – so that they don’t see, because they’re going to respond to whatever energy you’re putting out there. So we want to help them with the fear and anxiety, we have to control ours well enough to then be able to be present to support them through whatever they’re emotionally experiencing and feeling,” she said.
After the panel discussion, there was a special spoken word performance by Tracy Caldwell, known by her stage name “Mind Evolution,” and the presentation of the awards to the honorees.
The major award of the evening was the inaugural Earl W. Gardner Legacy Award for Women’s Leadership, “which was created to honor the memory of Earl W. Gardner, “a visionary advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. (He) was a dedicated mentor, leader, and champion for women’s empowerment, ensuring that they had the opportunities, recognition, and support needed to excel in both the workplace and the community.”
This year’s award recipient is Deja R. Smith. A resident of Windsor, she is currently a psychology student at North Carolina A&T State University, where she has demonstrated exceptional academic and leadership achievements, maintaining a 3.78 GPA and serving as President of the Psychology Research Club.
During the presentation of this special award, Scott-Miller expressed her gratefulness for the support and mentorship received from Earl W Gardner, highlighting his advocacy for women’s leadership and fair pay.
“I could not do this work and not continuously honor this man…This was just a very smart, humble, God fearing musician, singer who loved people, loved the community and just did things humbly. I can’t say it enough that Angel of Edgewood would not be what it is, had it not been for Earl W Gardner,” she said.
Other special awards included The Commitment to Service award, which was given to Shyann Sinclair and Community Organization Award, which was given to Lt. Brittany Franco.
The Trailblazer of Equity honorees for this year are the following:
Beverly Redd – Executive Director of Barney School of Business / President and Chair of West Indian Social Club of Hartford, Nilda Morales-Rivera – Director of the El Centro Family / Hispanic Senior Center at Catholic Charities, First Sergant Gena M. Leonard – Hartford Police Department, Barbara Foley – President and Founder of The Ron Foley Foundation, Paisley Changanaqui – Patient Service Liaison 2, Access Center – Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, Talitha Coggins, MSW – State of CT Department of Social Services, Apostle Suzanne Howard – The Apostles House / Founder of Suzanne M. Howard Soul’utions Coaching and Counseling.
Sybelle Moise – ARPA Grant Manager for the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic & Community Development, Elayna Birdwell Szkrybalo – Elanya’s Circle of Giving, Sister Emmanuella Hart – Ministry Coordinator at Grace Lutheran Church in Hartford, Karina Nieves – Administrative Assistant at Our Piece of the Pie (OPP), Sonia Descormiers – Vice President Relationship Manager at Berkshire Bank, Jill Turlo – Chief Executive Officer at the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA), Anne Goshdigian- Journalist – Hartford News/ Southside Media, Coordinator of the Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau for Hands On Hartford.
Nicole Hayden DeMaio – Vice President of Business Development at Downes Construction Company, Keishla Rodriguez – Community Care Manager – Institute of Living – Hartford Healthcare, Cureene Bailey-Blake- Licensed Childcare Provider / Founder of Aalia and Ricardo Home Daycare in Hartford, Sophia Taylor-Edwards LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Community Health Resources / Global Ambassador for Dress for Success, Jennifer Pardus – State of Connecticut – Department of Social Services.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Nadal – Vice President of Consumer Lending at Bank of America, Community Chair for CTHOLA (Hispanic Organization of Leadership Advancement), and Chair of CT MSAG (Military Support & Assistance Group), Erin McFee Singleton – Program Manager at the Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity at Yale Cancer Center, Luz Holmes-Padgett – Administrative Office Manager for Rehoboth Church of God, Founder & Principal Consultant of The LIGHT Consulting LLC, President of Urban League of Greater Hartford Young Professionals, and Chairperson of the Upper Albany Neighborhood Revitalization Zone.
Petrel Maylor-Harts – Deputy Director for the City of Hartford Department of Public Works, Sonserae Cicero – Founder and CEO of the Society of Human Engagement & Business Alignment (S.H.E.B.A.), Aisha Petteway – Executive Director of Community Partnerships for the Hartford Yard Goats Foundation, Leslie Sax – Chief Program Officer at the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford in West Hartford.
Vicki Gallon-Clark – Executive Director of the Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA), Dorely Roldan – Manager for Community Health and Health Promotion at Hartford Hospital, Diana DiTunno – Senior Educational Program Administrator for the state Department of Social Services, Ayesha Clarke – Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions / Co-Chair of the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health for the State of Connecticut, Shandia Drummond-Butt – Director of Operations at the Hartford Parking Authority, and Brittany Kane – Legislative Policy Analyst for CT General Assembly.
Photo Credit: Deidre Montague
Angel of Edgewood founder Jendayi Scott-Miller speaking to the audience during the Women’s History Month Celebration.
