Kenneth D. Gray, born in Alabama in 1961, moved to New York as a middle schooler with his mother and stepfather. He attended Bayside High School, worked at International Auto Exchange, and soon found his way to Luke’s Service Center in Great Neck.
Gray and Dominic Lucarello worked together for several years before Gray ultimately came to own the business and carry it on after Lucarello’s death in 2002.
“He’s good to the people, he gives discounts to the veterans, he gives to the North Shore hospital,” Councilwoman Lee Seeman, who represents the 5th District and nominated Gray as an honoree, said on Thursday, “and he is a wonderful person in our community.”
Gray was among a handful of entrepreneurs honored at the town’s annual Black History Month celebration at the Yes We Can Community Center last Thursday, where attendees filled half a gym to hear stories of hard work and history.
The event focused on black entrepreneurship and “Black Wall Street,” featuring honorees ranging from a “truck boy” turned cardiologist to the founder of a private security firm, as well as students from Westbury Middle School showcasing the accomplishments of black entrepreneurs through signs and spoken word.
There were also music and performances by Nori Rane, the Yes We Can Community Band, LND Dance Company, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and free refreshments provided by LL Dent Restaurant in Carle Place.
“A Black History Month celebration allows us to reflect on our history and serve as a way to learn more about all of the African-American, Haitian-American, all the different nationalities who make up our black community and how grateful we are to all of you for the roles that you’ve played,” Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said.
Each honoree was selected by a Town Board member from each district, as well as by Bosworth, Town Clerk Wayne Wink and Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman.
Adrienne Vaultz, the vice president of operations and finance for an IT recruiting firm, started as a chemical engineer but ended up pursuing accounting.
This also marked a return to the Manhasset-Great Neck area, where she started The Focus! Youth Organization in the 1980s, works as a youth leader at the First Baptist Church of Great Neck, and serves as a vice chairman of the Manhasset-Great Neck EOC.
“Seeing the children standing here earlier today, that’s what it’s all about,” Vaultz, who was nominated by Anna Kaplan of District 4, told the audience. “No child should be out of place just because of the circumstances to whom and where they were born. It’s a crime if that happens to anyone and I just have to echo truly, their success is our success.”
Timothy Thurmond, a Garden City Park resident, was a New York State Police detective and Hempstead school resource officer before his retirement. He also helped create the Garden City Park Homeowners and Civic Association, volunteers for the Hempstead Police Athletic League and is a member of numerous organizations.
“He gives so much that we can’t even contain him in North Hempstead,” Councilman Angelo Ferrara, who nominated Thurmond to be District 3’s honoree, told the crowd.
Lynette Batts, who has served as the executive director of the Littig House Community Center in Port Washington for 20 years, was the honoree for District 6. She helped spearhead a number of after-school and youth initiatives, while lending a number of county organizations her expertise.
“She’s a leader in the community, everybody loves her, I can’t say enough wonderful things about her,” Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, who represents District 6, said.
Dr. Leon Mullen, the honoree from District 1, which is represented by Viviana Russell, began as a “truck boy” ferrying food to patients at Glen Cove Community Hospital. He ultimately wound up returning to the hospital as a physician, mentoring college and high school students, and holding a variety of positions in other organizations.
The Rev. Monte Malik Chandler, the honoree from District 2, represented by Councilman Peter Zuckerman, worked as an assistant district attorney in Kings Count in the Domestic Violence Bureau before turning to preaching. Since then he has worked in a number of congregations and embarked on mission trips around the world.
Bernard Hardy, who opened his first business at 22 years old, joined the New York City Police Department and served there for 20 years. He then went on to found Interstate Security & Investigations Inc., an investigative and security business that also works with the Town of North Hempstead.
Hardy was selected by Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman.
Leonard “Sparrow” Llewellyn, the sole proprietor of Ernie’s Barbershop, was described as a “staple in the Westbury-New Cassel Community for more than 40 years” who has encouraged and supported people to take on college, trade schools and professional careers.
He was honored by Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth.
Another honoree, Betty Hardy, who served as a foster and adoptive parent for many years, ultimately founded Betty Hardy’s Daycare upon retirement from her industrial job. She has also been a community activist.
She was nominated for the honor by Town Clerk Wayne Wink.
