By Ivan Pereira
The board held its annual elections during its monthly meeting on Jan. 16 at the Robert Johnson Life Family Center in St. Albans. Dr. Gloria Black, who has been the chairwoman since 2003, was re-elected to her position, while Maylean Brown Thompson retained her seat as second vice president and Peggy Margret-Kirkland was re-elected as secretary.”We are happy to have Dr. Black as our chairperson. She's done a great job over the years,” said CB 12 district manager Yvonne Reddick.Dr. Black became the board's chair when she replaced James Davis, who died in September 2003. She was formally elected a couple of months later and helped lead the board during many important community events, including the rezoning of downtown Jamaica.Treasurer Cheryl Wilson-Greaves was also voted in as the board's new treasurer. Former third vice chair Adjoa Esinam Gzifa, who like Black, was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, was elected to the position as first vice chair.Board member Edward McKay took over her former position. He along with Margret-Kirkland, Brown-Thompson and Wilson-Greaves ran unopposed.After the elections ended, the board went on with its meeting and heard from Martha Ayon the community coordinator for City Comptroller William Thompson. Ayon announced the comptroller will be hosting a special Foreclosure Prevention & Banking Conference on Feb. 4 at York College from 6 to 9 p. m.The conference, co-hosted by Borough President Helen Marshall and several southeast Queens leaders, will provide residents with personal workshops on avoiding predatory lending, improving savings and credit and protecting a home.”As many as you know southeast Queens is the hardest hit community in the city. Please speak to your neighbors about this event because there is a dire need for it in your neighborhood,” Ayon said.For more information on the conference call 212-669-3089 or send an e-mail to rsvp@comptroller.nyc.gov.Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
