2008 HONOREE BIO'S

Sandra Reyes, one of four children, was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She attended Evangelico Central, a private school in her city, and her love for music was born. She came to the United States in 1984, working at various jobs, and quickly learned how to speak English. She eventually enrolled in Hostos Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Business Administration.

Necessity is the mother of invention, but only if those in need have the determination to create a solution. And Sandra had the determination to create several solutions. She spent years learning the music business, gaining knowledge necessary which enabled her to move on to other areas. She started her career in marketing and later got involved with several non-profit organizations. Eventually, Sandra opened her own business, HSKB Productions, a full event planning company. Additionally, Sandra is a member of the Banda Eclipse Band, which appears throughout the metropolitan area. She is also one of the founders of the Merengue, Bachata, Salsa & Reggeton (MBS) Congress, one of the largest music industry conferences in the history of New York City. Inspired by her mother, along with the struggles she endured in the music industry, the MBS Congress was created to help other young artists getting into the music industry.

Sandra has received Proclamations from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, and City Councilman Hiram Monserrate. She also received an award from Consulado Dominicano en New York. Presently, she is a member of Libre, a non-profit organization and MBS Congress. She enjoys music and motorcycling.

Sandra has been successful in organizing fund raisers for others who have life threatening illness. This has enabled her to grant wishes, making their dreams come true. Sandra gives thanks for the inspiration and strength provided for her many missions to her mother. Her determination to succeed is evident and she is most grateful for all her blessings.

Sandra is married to Diomedes Batista and they have three children, Kimberley, Jariely and Hardvis. They reside in Hempstead, NY.

Charles Stanley, also known as "Chubby" was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the family migrated to New York City in 1945, and in 1955, moved to East Elmhurst, New York.

Charles attended PS 58, and JHS 17 in New York, and PS 127 and Newton High School in Queens. He enrolled in New York City Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Industrial Sales. Charles also took courses in Retailing, Warehousing, Trucking and Supervisory Management at C. W. Post College. Additionally, he has taken corresponding courses in Health Education and Pest Control at Cornell University.

Charles started his employment career with the Waldbaums Supermarket chain in 1959, and held positions as stock clerk, cashier, stock manager, assistant manager, store manager and troubleshooter. Over the years, he has had the responsibility of all aspects of running a business and in 1985 Charles retired from Waldbaums. 1986, Charles became the owner and general manager of Aquarian Beverage Distributors. He also became a Coca-Cola Bottling Franchise, distributing their products in Rego Park and Forest Hills from 1986 until 1995, when Coca-Cola decided to end all Franchises. He moved to Metropolitan Beverage Company and currently distributes their products in the Bronx.

Over the years, while sometimes working two jobs or going to school, Charles did find time for community activities. He was the basketball coach at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School from 1978 to 1984. He was involved with the Renaissance Track and Field Association and the Magnificent Six Social Unit (AKA M6).

With his education and hands on attitude, Charles has established a career in sophisticated wholesale and retail environments, applying leadership, interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills. He has developed expertise in sales, marketing, merchandising, operations, administration and management along with profit and lost responsibilities. He has researched market conditions, trends, strategies and pricing structures. He has prepared presentations geared towards merchants, buyers, principals and the general consumer. All of these factors have lead him to build a most lucrative and profitable business investment, creating a sound and profitable future for him and his family.

Charles has four adult children and resides with his wife Doreen in Bayside, NY.

A native of New York, William Faulkner grew up in East Elmhurst. He is the son of Giles and Annella Faulkner and brother of Leslie, Juanita and Christian Faulkner.

Bill, commonly refereed to as “Faulkner”, was active in the Boy Scouts, Troop 229 under the leadership of the late Emmanuel Robinson. He participated in the Elmcor basketball and baseball leagues and was active in the after school programs.

Bill attended the Church of The Resurrection where he served as acolyte and was a member of the Young People’s Fellowship.

A graduate of Newtown High School, he attended Hofstra University where he became captain of the track team and received his BA in Biology. Bill received his doctorate from Howard University, College of Dentistry and attended the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.Located in Los Angeles, California, his practice of over 20 years concentrates on full mouth reconstruction. He is the dentist to many athletes of the NBA, the NFL and their families as well as celebrities in the entertainment industry.Much of his time is dedicated to community based health programs and recruitment efforts to increase the enrollment of minority students in the health professional schools.

Professional affiliations include the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Los Angeles Dental Society, National Dental Association, Angel City Dental Society (executive board member).

Bill attends Christ the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where he serves on the vestry.

Bill and his wife Renee´ have four children, Natachia, William, Stafford and Annella. Bill plays basketball regularly and enjoys camping and traveling.

Woody Allen told The New York Times “Hazelle is a real find! She’s a comedienne who is very funny and can incorporate her humor into first rate acting.”

Hazelle Goodman is a one-woman powerhouse! Her unique ability to transform into many different characters has propelled her to the forefront as a multi-dimensional actress.

Featured in Vogue, People and Vibe Magazines, her self-titled HBO Special received unprecedented ratings and was nominated for two Cable Ace Awards – Best Comedy Special and Best Performer.

Among her many credits, Hazelle starred opposite Woody Allen in the ground breaking role of “Cookie” in Allen’s Deconstructing Harry; as the diva, drug lord, “Georgia Rae Mahoney” on NBC’s Homicide; and as Evelda Drumgo in the block buster film Hannibal.

“In her solo performance “On Edge” Goodman brought a cast of 12 to life in a nonstop, spitfire performance. The comedienne has such endurance and chameleon-like skill, her performance kept me glued to the stage for a full 75 minutes.”

People magazine calls the actress “sinfully good,” and Time Out New York declares her “a memorable comic gem.”

“She dominates the stage. If Goodman’s delivering the blow, it’s bound to sting.” –Village Voice

“Ms. Goodman does an outstanding job…she seems to change gender by facial expression alone.” –New York Times

Hazelle Goodman was honored by former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields for her outstanding contributions in Theatre, Television and Film.

KIM A. CLARKE,
East Elmhurst’s own Kim Clarke is the daughter of Microbiologist Remonia Clarke and the late Henry Clarke of NY’s MTA. Her son Rael Michael Clarke is completing his final year at Polytechnic University.

Kim holds BA’s in Communication and Music from City College and Long Island University and is a three time recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Study Fellowship. Ms. Clarke is also a long time student of the Jazzmobile and Barry Harris Workshops and continues her formal studies with the wisdom gained therein. She was also a member of Harris’ Jazz Cultural Theatre’s house band for the famed Art Blakey Breakfast Jam.

Kim has contracted musical ensembles for the United Negro College Fund and Bennett College, and has helped to raise over $25,000 for the latter. As an acoustic bassist Kim traveled most notably with the late Joe Henderson Quartet throughout Europe. Internationally, she is noted as “at home in the Ron Carter School of HardBop”, “a dynamic Woman in Jazz who supported the intense rhythm of the Henderson group with unsuspected vitality and melodic solo passages.” Kim has toured Western Europe over the past 28 years primarily with Joseph Bowie’s Defunkt and with international artists: George Gruntz, Christy Doran (both from Switzerland), Marilyn Mazur (Denmark), Robert Palmer (Malta), Carlos “Patato” Valdez, Candido Camero (Cuba), and Ursula Dudziak (Poland).

She has also toured with National Black Theatre, Yusef Lateef Quartet, Teri Thornton Trio, Bertha Hope Trio, Kit McClure Big Band, Rachel Z Trio, Bigfood, Wallace Roney and Cindy Blackman Quartet, Oliver Lake and Jump Up, James Blood Ulmer Experience, Jack McDuff Quartet, Rodney Kendricks Quartet, and Jazzberry Jam.

Local performances include the Harold Ousley, Jimmy Heath, Steve Coleman, Lester Bowie, Andy Bey, Louis Hayes, Gerald Hayes, Lionel Hampton, Candido, Patato, Little Jimmy Scott, Dr. Billy Taylor, Olu Dara, Screamin Jay Hawkins, Dakota Staton, Gracian Moncur, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Marylou Williams, Sharon Freeman, Sheila Jordan, Geri Allen, Vanessa Rubin, Cassandra Wilson, Fievre Latina, Adela Dalto, poets Ntozake Shange and Trazana Beverly, dancers Tina Pratt and Roxanne Butterfly.

Napoleon Revels – Bey Rhythm Kings and Jazz and Tap Programs as well as Mikie D and Friends “Dance Rhythm Dance” are two programs which brought the history of Jazz to New York area grade and middle schools and libraries. As a workshop clinician, Kim has participated with the former as well as taught at Boys Harbor (NY), Institute of Technology (London), Feierwerke Jazztage and Blues Workshop (Munich), and with Rob Scheps at Bowdoin College (Maine) Portland State University, Reed College, Columbia Basin College, Central Washington University, Cornish College for the Arts and Whitman College in Washington and Oregon.

Kim is the founding co-producer of the LADY GOT CHOPS Women’s Month Jazz Festival”. With the owners of the Jazz (aka Jazz Spot Café), Lillithe Myers and her daughter Tiecha Merritt, Kim has conceptualized a platform for women instrumentalists and vocalists to exhibit their talents while taking an active role in building a fan base. The festival is now in its sixth year. Kim had the honor to perform with the Ghetto Fighters for the 64th Jimi Hendrix Birthday Celebration at B. B. Kings and the Superband at Flushing Town Hall. Her 37 CD discography and performance schedule are maintained at her website as well as access to her band MAGNETS! “Live at the Earshot Jazz Festival” CD.

LOIS BOOKER-WILLIAMS, Lois is a native of Corona/East Elmhurst and the product of New York City public schools. She attended PS 19, JHS 145, and Newtown High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Juris Doctor from CUNY School of Law. Lois is currently the Assistant Attorney General In-Charge of the Brooklyn Regional Office for New York State Attorney General Andrew J. Cuomo. In that capacity she is responsible for investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or illegal trade practices. Additionally, she conducts outreach events educating communities regarding consumer fraud matters. She also presents “Consumer Smarts” financial literacy workshops to high school students to prepare them for experiences as young adults addressing wise credit, purchasing practices, and investing for the future.

Following her graduation from CUNY Law School in 1989, Lois was appointed as Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and was responsible for the prosecution of misdemeanor and felony matters. Lois clerked one year for Acting Supreme Court Justice Patricia Anne Williams in NYS Supreme Court, Criminal Term, New York County. She is duly admitted to practice law before the courts in the State of New York, United States Supreme Court, and United States District Court for the Eastern District and Southern Districts of New York.

Lois is a member of the Frederick Douglas Democratic Club, NAACP Corona-East Elmhurst Chapter, Macon B. Allen Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association, and NYS Bar Association. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Dorie Miller Cooperative and is a past honoree of Key Women of America, Inc.

Lois attributes her success to her faith in God and a strong support group. She is a member of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church in Jamaica, Queens. As a child, she attended Corona Congregational Church where she was an assistant Sunday school teacher. She has also been involved with children, coaching Little Legal baseball and basketball. She is a mentor to many law school, college and high school students whom she hires and trains. Lois is an example of the statement “it takes a village to raise a child” and feels blessed to mentor youth and give back to the community she grew up in.

Born in Brooklyn, New York. He received his basic religious training at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn and, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Sandy F. Ray, was licensed to preach the Gospel in 1976. Later, Dr. Bentley was ordained at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York, where he served as Assistant Minister under the mentorship of Rev. Dr. Samuel D. Proctor and Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III.
A product of the New York City public school system, Dr. Bentley earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, majoring in health science and social welfare. He received his seminary education at Union Theological Seminary in New York City securing a Master of Divinity degree. Drew University, Madison, NJ conferred a Doctor of Ministry degree upon him, and he recently received an Associates Degree from Nassau Community College, L.I., N.Y., in Applied Sciences (Mortuary Science).
Dr. Bentley is active in many civic and community arenas and has received many civic and religious awards for his efforts. A former president of the American Baptist Churches of Metro New York, and a former chaplain in the United States Naval reserves, Dr. Bentley currently serves on numerous boards and committees. He has served on Community School Board 30 as president and vice president, was a former member of Community Board 3, and is the past president of the Corona East Elmhurst Clergy Association.
As pastor, Dr. Bentley has been serving the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona for more than 29 years, enjoying a blessed ministry. During his tenure, the church has relocated to a beautiful, gothic-style building on the corner of Northern Boulevard and 103rd Street in Corona, Queens, New York. The ministry has grown to include a female "rites of passage" ministry, Antioch Bible Institute, a Christian bookstore, credit union, and video and athletic ministries.
Under Pastor Bentley's leadership, the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona has embarked upon a ministry to liquidate the credit card debt of its congregation causing the Antioch congregation to take a look at its finances; tithing, spending, and saving habits, all biblical mandates.
Pastor Bentley is married to his high school sweetheart, Carla, and they are the proud parents of three children.

BRUNHILDA SANDERS-LANE

Brunhilda Sanders-Lane (known to her friends as Sandy-Lane) Sandy has a proven commitment to civil rights and community service as shown by her professional and volunteer career. She recently retired from the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where she served as the Supervisory Attorney, Office of Regional Counsel, Eastern Region. . Prior to working for the FAA, she served as a Senior Attorney and Staff Administrative Judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She worked for the Bedford Stuyvesant Legal Services Corporation. She spent many years serving at the National Employment Law Project where she supported its work to open up local and national trade unions to African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, women, and other minorities. She is currently the President of the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association, where she served on the Board of Directors and in every office of the Organization. She is the Second Vice-President of the Latino Lawyers of Queens, and also served on its Board. She is a 22-year member of the Board of Legal Services Corporation of Queens. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the New York Bar Association, and the Hispanic National Bar Association where she served as the Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee. She has been a member of the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees since 1988. Throughout her membership in the NHCFAE, she served the Organization in numerous positions such as Regional Chapter Director of the Eastern/New England Chapter and as Special Assistant to the President and National Director of Administration. She is an ordained Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, NY and currently serves there as the Clerk of Session and as the Leader of Sunday Adult Bible Studies.She graduated with Honors from Columbia University and received her Juris Doctor from Hofstra Law School in Long Island, New York. She is married to the Hon. Howard G. Lane, Justice of the Supreme Court, 11^th Judicial District, and has two children, Victor and Christine.

KEITH DAVID,

A Korean War veteran running a pool hall in Harlem…A guide to the underworld with an elegant walk and a haunting laugh…A Moslem cleric stranded on an alien planet…No matter what role he’s playing, the combination of Keith David’s full - bodied, baritone regal presence and solid theatrical training is sure to result in an impressive performance.

Very few actors working today possess Keith’s extraordinary range of talent as evidenced by his body of work. Recent films include FIRST SUNDAY, ATL, and CRASH. Other credits include BARBERSHOP, AGENT CODY BANKS, and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. Prior to that, Keith was featured in THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, ARMAGEDDON and DEAD PRESIDENTS.

On television Keith served as the narrator for the widely praised Ken Burns documentary THE WAR which aired recently on PBS. Prior, Keith had an arc of episodes on ER. He won an Emmy Award for his narration of the documentary UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS, and was nominated for his narration of JAZZ. He received a daytime Emmy nomination for his work in Showtime’s THE TIGER WOOD’S STORY.

Keith also narrated HORATIO’S DRIVE and MARK TWAIN. Keith was the lead character on the animated series version of the comic book SPAWN for HBO, as well as the lead in the Disney animated series GARGOYLES, for which he also received an Emmy nomination. He is currently the voice of the U.S. NAVY and has narrated the hit A&E series CITY CONFIDENTIAL.

Such a demanding schedule is nothing new to Keith. Immediately after his graduation from the Julliard School he was hired as an understudy for the role of Tullus Aufidius in Shakespeare’s CORIOLANUS at Joseph Papp’s New York Public Theater. Ironically, ten years later he co-starred in the same role opposite Christopher Walken and was the recipient of the Actor’s Equity St. Claire Bayfield Award. In 1992, Keith was recognized with a Tony nomination for best supporting actor in a musical for co-starring with Gregory Hines in the Broadway production of JELLY’S LAST JAM. Several years later he starred on Broadway in August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS. He fulfilled a lifelong ambition by portraying OTHELLO at the New York Shakespeare Festival. This past summer he starred as “Oberon” in the critically acclaimed production of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” in the historic Delacorte Theater in New York’s Central Park.

Keith’s award winning cabaret show, “A Tribute to Nat King Cole,” completed a sold out run at the renowned “Feinstein’s at the Regency” in New York. He will be returning there with a new show in the spring of 2008. Keith was honored with a Bistro Award, given by the entertainment newspaper “Backstage” for his performance at New York’s Metropolitan Room.

Keith David gained wide attention in 1986 for his role as King in the Oscar winning film PLATOON. Other of his over 75 film credits includes MEN AT WORK, CLOCKERS, and PITCH BLACK. Keith has also worked with notable directors including Clint Eastwood (BIRD), Steven Spielberg (ALWAYS) and John Carpenter (THE THING and THEY LIVE).

Born in Harlem, NY and raised in East Elmhurst, Queens, Keith sang in the all borough choir as a boy. He knew he wanted to act at the age of nine when he appeared as the cowardly lion in his school’s production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. He later attended New York’s famed High School of the Performing Arts and then graduated from Julliard. There he studied under such voice and speech teachers as Robert Williams and Edith Skinner.

In addition to the wide variety of modern characters he has played, Keith says he still loves the classics. “Heightened, elevated text always really interests me…the kind of stuff you don’t get to say everyday,” he explains. He says that when he first started acting, he would bring his own personality to the characters he portrayed. Now, however, that approach has changed. “I want to be a character actor. I want to discover the character and play him.”

Darrel Childs, known to most as “Mouse”, was born on June 13, 1957, to the late Sam and Gloria Childs in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. Five years after his birth, Darrel became the big brother to the late Diane I. Childs.

Darrel attended PS 127. PS 148, IS 145, and Mater Christi High School (now known as St. John’s Prep). In his junior year, Darrel left Mater Christi to attend St. Martin DePorres in Detroit, Michigan. He played football and basketball and was named to the High School Football Junior All American Team. After his junior year, Darrel returned home due to the illness of his mother. He enrolled in Bryant High School and played on the varsity basketball team. After graduation, Darrel attended Westchester Community College and Los Angeles Community College. He received his CASAC at JRW Institute and his Big Brother and Sister Mentoring supervisory certificate at Fordham University.

Darrel later served his country in the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge in 1990. He is currently employed with the Department of Education as a Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialist and at Yonkers Residential Group Home. Prior to Darrel joining the Department of Education, he was the Assistant Director of Phoenix House Adolescent Out-Patient Program.

Darrel is dedicated to giving back to his community, which freely gave to him as a child. In 1965, Darrel marched in Elmcor’s Inaugural Parade and participated in baseball, basketball and football until his high school graduation. Darrel is an executive board member of the Elmcor Alumni Association and a member of IABBO, certified basketball officials. Darrel donates time and services to assigning referees and refereeing games for H.O.G.G.S. (Helping Our Guys and Girls Succeed), a non-profit organization founded by his son, Darnell Childs and Elmcor recreation basketball tournaments as well as the Jr. Knicks at the Flushing YMCA.

In his profession of helping people, Darrel states there is no monetary value to having someone say “Thanks for being a part of me getting my life together.”

Darrel is engaged to Hannah Morgan

Send mail to ELMCORALUMNI@MSN.COM WIth questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2004 Elmcor Alumni Association.,Inc

Send mail to ELMCORALUMNI@MSN.COM WIth questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004 Elmcor Alumni Association.,Inc