45 YEARS YOUNG

45 Years Young is quite an achievement. The Greater New Haven Business and Professional Association celebrated its 45th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday March 12, 2010 at the New Haven Omni Hotel. Most fittingly, Carlton L. Highsmith Founder, President and CEO of The Specialized Packaging Group was the keynote speaker.Today, SPG is the largest minority owned manufacturer of paperboard packaging in the North America and ranks 29th on Black Enterprise Magazine's list of the top 100 minority owned firms in America. His remarks (see video excerpt) were cogent and instructive. I spoke with Phyllis Haines afterwards. Phyliss is on the verge of having her condiment product carried in a major food chain. She mentioned that hearing Carlton's list of do's rather than dont's has inspired her to forge ahead and to not grow weary. Roberta Hoskie, owner Outreach Property Management and co chair of the Greater New Haven NAACP Economic Development committee remarked that seeing the blend of honorees which included Reverend Bonita Grubbs, Howard K Hill, State Representative Toni Walker, Josephine Williams and Minister Donald Morris, that all sectors of the community must see themselves as customers of one another. After hearing Mr.Highsmith's remarks she too agreed with the " Highsmith Manifesto" . The over 300 attendees, were warmly greeted in the singing of the Negro National Anthem by young Asia Patten. Her singing was stunningly appropriate for there is no better way to pass along the baton than to have the emerging generations take active part in "adult" community gatherings. Master of Ceremony WYBC"S Juan Castillo kept the program moving to a nice tempo of fun, celebration, homage and recognition.

video excerpt Asia Patten http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEPE8NhOlE

video excerpt Keynote address Carlton Highsmith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuNxhyQVBdw



















45 Years Young is quite an achievement. The Greater New Haven Business and Professional Association celebrated its 45th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday March 12, 2010 at the New Haven Omni Hotel. Most fittingly, Carlton L. Highsmith Founder, President and CEO of The Specialized Packaging Group was the keynote speaker.Today, SPG is the largest minority owned manufacturer of paperboard packaging in the North America and ranks 29th on Black Enterprise Magazine's list of the top 100 minority owned firms in the America. His remarks (see video excerpt) were cogent and instructive. I spoke with Phyllis Haines afterwards. Phyliss is on the verge of having her condiment product carried in a major food chain. She mentioned that hearing Carlton's list of do's rather than dont's inspired her to forge ahead and to not grow weary. Roberta Hoskie, owner Outreach Property Management and co chair of the Greater New Haven NAACP Economic Development committee remarked of seeing the blend of honorees which included Reverend Bonita Grubbs, Howard K Hill, State Representative Toni Walker, Josephine Williams and Minister Donald Morris and hearing Mr.Highsmith's remarks provided the blueprint in creating sustained minority economic development in New Haven. She mentioned that all sectors must see themselves as customers of one another.The over 300 attendees, were warmly greeted in the singing of the Negro National Anthem by young Asia Patten. Her singing was stunningly appropriate for there is no better way to pass along the baton than to have the emerging generations take active part in "adult" community gatherings. Master of Ceremony WYBC"S Juan Castillo kept the program moving to a nice tempo of fun, celebration, homage and recognition.

video excerpt Asia Patten http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEPE8NhOlE

video excerpt Keynote address Carlton Highsmith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuNxhyQVBdw






Greater New Haven Business & Professional Association
Invite you to join them for an evening celebrating the Dixwell Community’s Business& Civic Achievements
Friday March 12, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM
Omni Hotel ~ 115 Temple Street ~ New Haven
Awardees:
~Bonita Grubbs~
~Howard K. Hill~
~Donald Morris~
~Toni Walker~
~Josephine Williams~
General Reception 6:00 PM (cash bar)
Dinner 7:00 PM
Presentation of Awards & Guest Speaker 8:00 PM
Adjournment followed by Music & Dancing ‘till 11:00 PM

Comments