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Homegrown Heroes' Reception In Westbury Celebrates L.I. Leaders, Legacy and The Power of Presentation
Shirley Darkeh's acclaimed photographic exhibition continues its mission of preserving local African American history & inspiring the world
Under Top Pic Credit Below...
Senator Siela A. Bynoe, Present Proclamation to Mr. Ekong, Valencia Saint Louis - Homegrown Heroes was created to ensure that the accomplishments of African Americans who grew up, studied, worked & built their lives on L.I. are preserved (Nsikak Ekong Photographer)
By Phillip Andrews
WESTBURY, N.Y. — September 13, 2026 — Community leaders, residents, business professionals, educators and supporters gathered on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Westbury Public Library for a special Homegrown Heroes Reception, celebrating the accomplishments, leadership and lasting contributions of African Americans with deep roots in Long Island communities.
The reception, held at 2:30 p.m., continued the momentum of the groundbreaking Homegrown Heroes of Long Island photographic exhibition, which was created and curated by longtime community leader, historian, artist and advocate Shirley Darkeh.
Homegrown Heroes was created to ensure that the accomplishments of African Americans who grew up, studied, worked and built their lives on Long Island are documented, celebrated and visible to future generations. Through photography, storytelling and historical reflection, the exhibition demonstrates that extraordinary achievement can emerge directly from the communities in which young people live, learn and grow.
The exhibition highlights 38 Black alumni of Long Island-area high schools who went on to make meaningful contributions in fields including business, education, law, medicine, public service, social work and the arts. The project is especially focused on providing young people with visible examples of successful African American professionals and community leaders whose journeys began close to home.
The Westbury reception brought the exhibit into another important community setting the public library reinforcing the role that libraries play in preserving history, encouraging education and connecting generations.
BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE ADELPHI UNIVERSITY CELEBRATION
The Westbury Public Library reception follows the major Homegrown Heroes of Long Island celebration held on March 14, 2026, at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center in Garden City.
That event brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, families and residents for an afternoon and evening of recognition, networking, cultural celebration and reflection.
The March program showcased the 38 Homegrown Heroes and featured performances by the Westbury Middle School Choir and Uniondale's Rhythm of the Knight Show Choir. Nassau County Legislator Viviana L. Russell later recognized the significance of the celebration and Shirley Darkeh's leadership in creating a platform where young people can see examples of Black achievement originating in their own communities.
The original Adelphi photographic exhibition was sponsored by the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (https://liaacc.org/) and the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. The broader Homegrown Heroes initiative has also worked in partnership with the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc., bringing together organizations committed to entrepreneurship, mentoring, education, economic empowerment and community development.
