Community Gathers for Youth Empowerment Lunch

The 13th annual offered inspirational words to scores of children and honored several community leaders and students Saturday afternoon at the Boys & Girls Club.

The luncheon is named in honor of the late Hoboken resident Richard Hicks, a fixture on his front porch known for dispensing advice and keeping a protective eye on the neighborhood.

"He had a beautiful smile and he always knew how to talk to young people," Hoboken Housing AuthorityExecutive Director Carmelo Garcia said. Garcia is one of the founders of the luncheon along with Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. and former Councilman Chris Campos.

Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini, who was , attended and presented several awards. Other elected officials who attended included Ramos and his fellow Assemblyman Sean Connors, Freeholder Anthony Romano, City Councilman David Mello and school board members Peter Biancamano, Theresa Minutillo and Irene Sobolov. Cultural Affairs director Geri Fallo served as the event emcee. Superintendent Mark Toback also appeared.

“We have some amazing people who are here today from our community,” Pellegrini said in the opening remarks.

Several community leaders received awards, including , who is the current lead organizer of the luncheon, plus Latrenda Ross, Wanda McDonald, Yvette Miles and Housing Authority commissioner Rob Davis.

Local students Sybil Lynch, Peter Gutierrez, , Grendaly Lopez and Amanda Bradley also received awards.

Many of the speakers sought to encourage and inspire the children in the audience.

“Choose the vehicle that you are most passionate about and use that vehicle to serve other people,” Garcia said.

“Empowerment is all about what's in you, who you are comes from within,” said Catherine Harold, the author of a book on parenting.

The event also featured Pamela Huggins, who sang a gospel song; 2010 honorees Jalin Miles, who read a poem; student dancers from the Hoboken based Hudson Dance & Movement school, which just launched ; three young rappers known as the Lil Monstaz, ; and martial artists under the supervision of karate sensei Ray Rodriguez. After the event the guests shared a soul food meal filled with chicken, rice and vegetables.