By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The city paid homage to the nation’s African American pioneers and the immeasurable contributions they have made to shaping the most improbable, the most hopeful and the most enduring story on Earth — the American story — at the 29th annual Black Heritage Celebration on Feb. 26.
During the City Hall cultural event marking Black History Month, the West Haven Black Heritage Committee cited longtime youth advocate Levi Jordan Sr. as its second recipient of the Ernestine Jackson Citizen of Distinction Award, formerly known as the African American Citizen of the Year.
The award honors the life and memory of Jackson, who was a charter member of the Black Heritage Committee in 1996 and served as its president for many years. She died in April 2023 at age 96.
The committee recognized West Haven High School senior Caleb Awuah, Notre Dame High School senior Delvin Donniri and Hill Regional Career High School senior Awurabena Ofori-Amo, all of West Haven, for “academic and leadership success.”
Chairman Steven R. Mullins also recognized and presented a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the committee to West Haven Black Coalition founder and President Carroll E. Brown, a former Board of Education member, for her years of service to the city’s Black community, along with certificates of appreciation to former committee members Shirley Anderson, Martha Bell, Carolyn Brangman, Sandra Burns, Lionel T. Dunlap Sr., Harold L. Grey, Vicky Mariconde, Jon E. Purmont and city police Commissioner Deborah Wright.
Jordan, a city native who graduated from West Haven High in 2004 and attended Southern Connecticut State University, received a mayoral citation from Borer for his mentorship and service to the city’s young people.
Jordan is an outreach specialist at West Haven High, where he checks grades, attendance, and “the hearts and minds of students.”
He is also the founder and CEO of The Best of the West LLC, which organizes basketball and football events that focus on youth character building and life skills.
“I’ve witnessed Levi volunteering his time to make sure that young people have a place in our community,” Borer told the largest-ever crowd to attend the event.
Reading the citation, the mayor said, “Thanks to your foundation, you have empowered countless student-athletes to be the best version of themselves by giving them guidance and support through character building and positive reinforcement.”
Borer lauded her friend Brown for fighting for inequity and women’s rights. The mayor also commended the student honorees and wished them — and the rest of the students in attendance — success in their future.
Jordan was a member of the Blue Devils’ 2002 CIAC Class LL football championship team, playing running back on offense and safety on defense. He also played basketball and captained the school’s track and field team.
Jordan now coaches boys basketball at Bailey Middle School and freshman football for the Blue Devils. He has also coached in the West Haven Seahawks football and Youth Basketball organizations.
Just over 10 years ago, Jordan, a barber by trade, teamed up with Transformerz Barbershop to hold back-to-school “bonanzas” that provided backpacks, school supplies and haircuts to hundreds of children.
When it was time for him to speak after giving a shoutout to West Haven’s young people, Jordan was gracious in thanking those who have had a positive influence on his life, including his wife of seven years, Shayna, who accompanied him onstage, and his six children, who sat just offstage, as well as his coaches and mentors.
“They dare to be great; they are the biggest inspiration to this day,” Jordan said of the city’s youth. “I lead them where they need to be in their lives.”
He ended his remarks by urging the all-ages crowd, “Let’s build this bright future together!”
Jordan also received an embroidered “West Haven Black Heritage Ernestine Jackson Citizen of Distinction Award 2025” jacket from last year’s inaugural recipient, former 5th District Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton, a committee member.
The 90-minute program, held in the Harriet C. North Community Room, included an awards presentation by Borer and Mullins.
The invocation was given by Elder Renford Whynes of the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mullins, and a powerful rendition of the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” was sung by Zoe Powell of the West Haven High Concert Choir.
The ceremony featured performances by the choir, directed by Jason Thomas, including a vibrant rendition of “Hear My Prayer.”
The student honorees were grateful in receiving a Black Heritage Committee certificate of achievement and a $250 academic scholarship from Mullins on behalf of the committee. They were also thankful in receiving a citation from state Treasurer Erick Russell and a General Assembly citation from state Rep. Treneé McGee, D-West Haven, on behalf of the city’s delegation.
In addition to excelling in academics, Awuah is a member of the varsity soccer, indoor track and outdoor track teams; Donniri is a youth track and field coach at The Edge Fitness Club; and Ofori-Amo is a member of the debate club and the National Business Honor Society.
The ceremony included remarks by Russell, the keynote speaker. It also included words of praise by Borer, Mullins and 5th District Councilman Mackie McMillian, the master of ceremonies and a committee member.
After a spirited introduction by McGee calling Russell an advocate for freedom, equality and justice, Connecticut’s treasurer, a 2006 graduate of West Haven High who went to school with Jordan, congratulated all the awardees and “local heroes that have had an impact on our communities,” including barrier-breakers Jackson and Jordan.
“Ernestine Jackson reminds us of where we’ve been, and Levi reminds us where we are today — and our progress,” Russell told the standing room-only assembly of committee members, family, friends, residents and dignitaries, including former Mayor Nancy R. Rossi.
The Black Heritage Committee has worked since 1996 to promote racial harmony across West Haven, transforming City Hall into an exhibition of African American art and literature during Black History Month to educate residents about Black culture.