Rising Stars shine brightly in Brooklyn

The 2014 Rising Stars Awards and Networking Event shone a well-deserved light on 36 young professionals whose hard work has made a positive impact on Brooklyn business, health care and community. The vibrant group gathered on June 12 at the Dyker Beach Golf Course, where they mixed, mingled and even made new connections for possible future collaborations.

“It’s really inspiring to think of new organizations to be a part of or contribute to,” said honoree Priya Ramanathan, executive director of workforce development at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Jocelynne Rainey, CAO of the Navy Yard, agreed, adding that there is “a lot of cross-pollination in Brooklyn and in the industry of finding space and creating jobs for businesses.” Rainey was present to support Ramanathan, as well as Cristal Rivera, formerly of the Navy Yard and current director of community engagement at Industry City/Jamestown Properties in Sunset Park.

One of last year’s honorees, Jill Eisenhard, founder of the Red Hook Initiative, noted that such community relationships are key to strong and effective programming.

“After Sandy, [honoree Frances Medina] brought over 3,000 volunteers, plus donations, food and more into the neighborhood through social media and outreach,” Eisenhard said. “And this year, she created the Allies program. So it’s about how do we leverage the interest and goodwill of supporters to build youth development and engagement.”

Engagement is key to influencing community decisions big and small. For Jimmy Li, community liaison for the Chinese American Planning Council, it means fostering dialogue across and within cultures for the shared goal of projects such as participatory budgeting.

For Michael Cama, junior loan officer at Investors Bank and volunteer with Frankie’s Mission, it means helping neighbors navigate financial issues. And for Allison Campbell, manager of the Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst and Borough Park Greenmarkets, it means helping families put healthy food on their tables.

“We’re thrilled to be able to recognize young individuals who are making a difference in Brooklyn,” said Joshua Schneps, co-publisher of the Home Reporter and Brooklyn Spectator. “It’s about recognizing their hard work and bringing everyone in the room together for a night of networking and doing business locally.”

Not just a night of celebration for the 40 honorees and their families and friends, the Rising Stars event also served as a fundraiser: all proceeds from raffle ticket sales went to support the Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation, aka Frankie’s Mission, which helps support families of children fighting cancer.

Frankie died at age 17 after a fight with bone cancer and leukemia. His mother, Camille Loccisano, was presented with a posthumous Rising Stars award in his name. “This is a beautiful event honoring beautiful people,” Loccisano said through tears. “I had no idea [this award was coming]. This means so much.”

Event sponsors were Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, Avondale Care Group, Bay Ridge Bakery, Ben Bay Realty, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, CPEX, Con Edison, Delta Airlines, Flushing Bank, Investors Bank, Parker Jewish Institute, Prudential and Wyckoff Medical Center.

As part of the event, there was also a business expo; participants were Agewell, Avondale Care Group, Bay Ridge Bakery, Ben Bay Realty Company, BJs Wholesale Club, the Brooklyn Cyclones, Con Edison, The Daily News, Dale Carnegie, Flushing Bank, The Holistic Chamber of Commerce, Investors Bank, JP Turner & Associates, NY Life, Parker Jewish Institute, Prudential, Send in the Clowns, The Small Business Development Center, TGI Automation and Wyckoff Medical Center.

“It’s a nice opportunity to meet other people in the community,” noted Lori Tropia, rental manager and associate broker at Ben Bay Realty.

Raffle prizes included a five-day/four-night trip to Cancun, with the airline tickets donated by Delta Airlines and the hotel stay donated by Jon Landers at the Creative Group, as well as a luxury handmade Italian leather travel bag made by honoree Christine Tortora, two Dale Carnegie scholarships, two rounds of golf (from American Golf Corp. and the Marine Park Golf Course, respectively), a digital camera donated by honoree Li, a Father’s Day themed basket donated by Michael DiSchiavi of La Bella Baskets, a “Celebrating Home” Candle and Fragrance Basket donated by Ben Bay Realty, and Brooklyn Cyclones tickets.

Door prizes included dinner for two to local restaurants (The Pearl Room, Mama Rao’s Restaurant and La Sorrentina Ristorante).

“God Bless America” was sung by Daniel Rodriguez, and Ms. New York US 2013 Stephanie Jill Chernick was the Star of Stars, and assisted in the presentation of the awards to the honorees.