La ‘V’ en Rose Productions honors Melba Moore, others with Phenomenal Woman Award

The Far Rockaway, Queens-based La’ V’ en Rose Productions, LLC, on March 15, honored singer and actress Melba Moore and seven other women during its gala 11th Annual Phenomenal Woman Awards at the Queens Museum of Arts.

“Melba Moore made it special,“ Rose Guerrier, the Haitian-American founder, producer, and creative director of the Award, told Caribbean Life, stating the gala was “a heartfelt celebration of extraordinary women who are making meaningful contributions to their communities and professions.”

Guerrier said the event was “filled with inspiration and empowerment“ and that “each year, we donate to a cause.

“This year’s donation will go to The American Heart Association who were present,“ she said. “This year, our theme, ‘All Heart,’ holds profound significance as we focus on empowering and uplifting women while raising crucial awareness about heart health.

“This cause has become especially poignant for me, as I experienced the devastating loss of my aunt to a sudden heart attack just two days after last year’s 10th Annual Phenomenal Woman Awards, which dedicated its focus to Breast Cancer Awareness,“ Guerrier added. “It was a painful reminder of our collective responsibility to address health and wellness for women, particularly as we also mourned the loss of a remarkable honoree shortly after that event.”

She said her family, including her mother, was there to honor her aunt, “and Melba Moore sang her song, ‘Lean on Me,’ in honor of my aunt, to the family, and stepped off the stage to speak with mom.

“It was a very tearful moment – one that I will never forget,“ Guerrier said. “Let’s love and care for one another and make sure we do wellness check-ins. Life is too short.”

Guerrier thanked the following for making the event possible: Deluxe Van Transportation; Deck Productions; Real Dreams Events; Jzanus; Local 372; CABS Health Network; My Time, Inc.; PIP Printing Inwood; Shir Le Hibiscus; ICARE Foundation; Fusion East; NY Career School; Pablo Lanouguere Trio; WBLS-Dr. Bob Lee; Make The Grade Foundation; Noni fashions; and “our friends at Creole Fusion.”

About the honorees

Melba Moore

Melba Moore, the Tony Award-winning, GRAMMY Award-nominated siren, has commanded stages worldwide.

She conquered Broadway in memorable roles in HAIR (1967), becoming the first Black woman to replace a white woman on Broadway when she replaced Diane Keaton in PURLIE (1970), and becoming the first Black woman to inhabit the role of Fantine in LES MISERABLES (1995).

Moore also used the pandemic period of reflection to work on new music with her sweetest collaborator and most incredible creation, her daughter Charli Huggins, who also happens to be the head of The Gallery Entertainment, her independent label.

The label is set to release IMAGINE, Melba Moore’s 2022 project featuring new music and a return to her R&B roots.

Moore is the epitome of an entertainer and a consummate performer. Honored with Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, and Nancy Wilson, Melba Moore was celebrated at Oprah’s now-historic Legends Ball.  

Melisand (Melisa) Wilson

Wilson is a proud native of Washington, D.C., raised in the southeast, and resides in Prince George’s County, MD. She is the devoted mother of Gersham (Danny) Wilson, an extraordinary 31-year-old who was diagnosed at birth with Cerebral Palsy and Trisomy 8, a rare genetic condition.

As Gersham transitioned from high school special education to adulthood, Wilson faced significant challenges due to a lack of resources and services for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Frustrated by the inconsistencies in available support, she recognized the urgent need for change, understanding that after graduation, students are no longer “entitled“ to services but must be “eligible.”

This realization prompted their transition into a traditional day program and eventually to Self-Direction (SDS).

Determined to effect change, Wilson worked with state and federal agencies to establish essential adult care services for her son.

Cynthia Jean, LMSW, LSW

Cynthia Jean founded Spring Forward Consulting and Spring Forward Hope for Pink, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and supporting women through all stages of their cancer journey.

A 10-year breast cancer survivor, Jean uses her personal experience and over 14 years of professional expertise as a Licensed Social Worker (LMSW, LSW) and psychotherapist to provide compassionate support to individuals managing chronic illnesses, anxiety, depression, and mental health challenges.

In 2024, Wilson celebrated her milestone of a decade of strength, resilience, and survivorship, inspiring countless women with her story of triumph and hope.

Her advocacy and leadership were recognized with the Leadership Award of Distinction from Germain Consulting Services, RN, PLLC.

Wilson practices at TMR Mental Health, continuing her mission to empower women, promote resilience, and advocate for holistic healing while sharing her story of perseverance and transformation.

MarieAlissa Francis-Alize

Francis-Alize has worked with Jzanus LTD as the Medicaid Billing out-of-state supervisor for three years. She has devoted her time and customer service to working alongside Jzanus’ executive clients to provide and assist with Medicaid billing guidelines and enrollments.

She has dedicated her time at Jzanus LTD to support their role by sponsoring several nonprofit organizations. Her willingness to learn from her employer has encouraged her to provide services to her community.

As a longstanding resident of Far Rockaway since the age of 5, Francis-Alize has assisted her husband by creating jobs for the Far Rockaways. She collaborates with her husband to sponsor Back to Schools drives every year for the youth, mentorships during the summer programs, and free haircuts on Veteran’s Day for retired soldiers and patients at St John Episcopal Hospital.

Detective Lynn Blanchette

Police Office Lynn Blanchette was born in Rosedale, NY, and raised on Long Island.  After working for four years as a teacher’s assistant at New Interdisciplinary School, a self-contained school for children with special needs, in Middle Island, NY, Blanchette attended Briarcliffe College in Patchogue, NY.  She received an Associate’s degree in business management and went on to join the New York Police Department’s January class of 2006.

Officer Blanchette’s field training was at the 103 Precinct in Jamaica, NY.  In July 2006, she began her law enforcement career at the 101 Precinct in Far Rockaway, NY, where she was assigned to Housing Patrol for seven years. 

During that time, she was named Cop of the Month and acknowledged for Excellent and Meritorious Police Duty.

In 2014, Officer Blanchette became a Youth Officer and worked with the Far Rockaway youth throughout the school year. 

Shortly after, she joined Police Officer Kevin Campbell in the Community Affairs office, where she has self-initiated, organized, and successfully led many community events each year. 

Mahadya J. Mary

Mahadya J. Mary, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in government and project management, specializes in contract registration and ensures nonprofits comply with agreements.

Mary serves on several nonprofit boards, providing governance and oversight while influencing policies to foster economic and community development.

Currently serving as the senior project and contract manager at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Small Business Services, she specializes in contracting, economic development, neighborhood branding, and community engagement.

Mary has also been a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry for 10 years, where she educates individuals on the importance of skincare.

She holds a Master’s degree in labor relations from Cornell University and has been instrumental in driving significant growth and change for communities through data-driven strategies and creative solutions.

Kenisha Atwell, MD, MPH

Dr. Atwell was born in Trinidad and Tobago. At nine, her family migrated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn.

A high achiever from an early age, she graduated as Salutatorian of Boys and Girls High School in 2005 and served as captain of the girls’ basketball team.

She then attended Cornell University, where she graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in Africana Studies and a concentration in pre-medical studies.

She was also awarded the Janet Smith Knitner Director’s Award at Cornell for academic distinction and student leadership.

In 2010, Dr. Atwell was selected for a competitive research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Baltimore, MD.

While at the NIH, she worked in the neuropsychiatry department, where her research focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for methamphetamine neurotoxicity and developing therapeutic approaches for psychostimulant use disorders.

Enid Glabman

Enid Glabman was born in Brooklyn, attended public schools, graduated from Hunter College, and received a master’s degree from Brooklyn College.

She became a school teacher and taught for over 30 years – first in Brooklyn and then in Bayswater at P.S.104 for 20-plus years.

Glabman has been president of the Bayswater Jewish Center (Darchay Noam) for many years, secretary and board chairman of the Bayswater Civic Association for many years, and currently president.

“I am humbled by having several honors bestowed upon me and hope to continue my service to the community,“ she said.