Celebrating Unity, Advocacy, and Impact at The Bridge MCP Annual Holiday Gala! 

What an unforgettable evening! We were overjoyed to welcome over 300 guests to The Annual Gala of The Bridge MCP, hosted by my great and awesome sister and best friend, Annesa Ali who serves with great distinction and honor as Director of Special Projects at the Bridge. Annesa, with her great personality, wisdom and with truly set the tone for a wonderful, enjoyable and memorable holiday extravaganza.

The spirit of the evening was set with powerful prayers led by Bishop Ebony Kirkland, myself and Hassan Bakiriddin, followed by a beautiful Menorah lighting ceremony. We were honored to have community leaders Dr. Sima Karetnaya and Lana GL joined by the Hon. Mayor of North Miami, Dr. Alix Desulme, to lead us in this tradition. 🕯️

🎖️ Honoring Excellence & Leadership
We were proud to recognize a distinguished group of honorees who have shown unwavering support for our mission of uniting our diverse community:
• Hon. Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn – NYS Assembly Member
• Hon. Dr. Alix Desulme – Mayor of North Miami
• Hon. Vijah Ramjattan – Executive Director, NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes
• Benjamin Pinczewski, Esq. – Community Leader

📜 Turning Tragedy into Transformation
The room was moved by the stories of NYS Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Aleks Kuravski. Through their courage in the face of unimaginable loss, we celebrated the passage of two historic pieces of legislation:

✅ The Jonah Bichotte Covan Law ✅ The Benzi Law
Spearheaded by Council Member Farah N. Louis and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, these bills are vital lifelines that will protect and save the lives of children across our state. 🙏

 

🤝 A Heartfelt Thank You
Special gratitude to Debbie Louis, Executive Assistant to Governor Kathy Hochul and to the Hon. Eric Gonzalez, Brroklyn District Attorney for their words of support for the victims of crime and those facing financial hardship in our Empire State.

In conclusion, I want everyone to take a moment. Close your eyes. Can you imagine a world without The Bridge? Can you imagine our community without this sanctuary of connection? Where would we be without the unity we’ve built together?

In a world that often feels divided, we realize just how vital this space truly is. We owe this reality to our highly respected and illustrious brother, founder, leader, and friend: Mark Meyer Appel.

Mark, you are the true architect of the unity, love, and togetherness we celebrated tonight. Your vision for a better world isn’t just a dream—it is our way of life at the Bridge MCP. You have set the gold standard for inclusiveness, creating a legacy that is emulated and desired by all who strive for peace.
Thank you, Mark, for your tireless leadership and for ensuring we never have to know a world without The Bridge.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more united community!