 |
|
| Home | Photo Album |
Youth-4-SVA Coordinator (June 2003 - December 2009)
S.V.A. Office Manager (as of 2010)
NYC's
Mayor Michael Bloomberg with SVA's Assistant AnDre Christie
at Gracie
Mansion
[Official Photography by the Office of
the Mayor of the City of New York]
As the one and the only Youth-4- SVA Coordinator, AnDre M. Christie ("AMC"), in collaboration with the presence of S.V.A. officers, regularly represents the STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") at various events, meetings, symposiums, tributes, seminars, dinners, forums, parades, streetfairs, luncheons, interviews, conferences, bruncheons, celebrations, fund-raisers, memorials, parties, etc. Among the many public officials who AnDre Christie has significantly met (some several times each) are all four living New York City Mayors -- Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg (relatively few people can make that quartet claim) -- in addition to U.S. Senators (NY) Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer; former N.Y.S. Governor Mario Cuomo and grand First Lady Matilda; New York State Governor Eliot L. Spitzer and lovely wife Silda Wall (campaign ofc. '05, victory party '06 and barbeque July '07) and N.Y.S. Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo (birthday dinner Dec. '05, campaign event 26 Oct. '06, election night party 7 Nov. '06 and induction 7 Jan. '07); U.S. Congressmembers Carolyn B. Maloney, Anthony Weiner, Charles Rangel, Joseph Crowley and Yvette D. Clarke; N.Y.C. Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum; New York State Senators David A. Paterson, Eric Schneiderman, Liz Krueger, Carl Andrews and Tom Duane; Manhattan Borough Presidents Clara V. Fields and Scott Stringer, former Bronx Borough Presidents Fernando Ferrer and Adolfo Carrion, Jr. (AMC's 7 Jan. '07) and current Bronx Beep Ruben Diaz, Jr.; N.Y.S. Assemblymembers Keith Wright (tribute to dad '05), Jonathan Bing (meeting 10 Jan. '07), Adam Clayton Powell IV (Xmas party 20 Dec. '06), Danny O'Donnell, Hakeem Jeffries and Brian Kavanagh (CBM's inauguration 12 Jan. '07); Judges Leslie Crocker-Snyder, Doris Ling-Cohan, Paul Feinman, Eve-Rachel Markewich and David B. Cohen; New York City Councilmembers James "Jed" Davis, Margarita Lopez, David Weprin, Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio (Primary Election Run-off Party 29 Sep. '09), Eva Moskowitz, Robert Jackson, Melissa Viverito (campaign), Bill Perkins, Inez Dickens, Eric X. Gioia, Rosie Mendez (meetings 30 Nov. '06, her ofc.Dec. '07), 23 Feb. '08 at SVA and SVA event 27 June '09), Alan Gerson (17 Aug. '09 debate), Jessica Lappin (meetings), Dan Garodnick (meetings), John C. Liu (most recent SVA "Stonewall" anniversary party at Stonewall Club 29 June '09), et al.; and District Leaders Trudy Mason, Sean Sweeney, Kathleen Berger, David Reck, Meryl Brodsky, Brat Hoylman, Jean Grillo (debate forum 18 Aug. '09), et al.
AnDre, Williamson and Liz Abzug in Greenwich Village in Summer of 2004
[Outdoor photo by The Pavillon Restaurant owner Jason O'Brien]
Let's not overlook the entertainment celebrities that AnDre Christie has met through the S.V.A. such as Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters, Susan Lucci, Joyce "Trixie" Randolph, Bernadette Peters, John Lloyd Young, Starr "The View" Jones, et al. and singers such as Diana Ross (in Minneapolis), Tony Bennett (6 Dec. '05 event), Connie Francis (30 July '09 concert), Martha Reeves & The Vandellas (Manhattan 2008), Frankie Valli (20 July '06), Heather Headley, the Jersey Boys, Deborah Cox, et al.
AnDre knows -- and vice versa -- diverse New York City community leaders, et al. such as (alphabetically): Queen Allyson, Liz Abzug, Richard Aborn, Vito Abzuzzoluccione, Lisa Ackerman (art), Eddie Baca, Jackie Barrett, Todd Berman, David Bermudez, Jamoca Bifield, Anthony Brasco, Betty Bristol, Karen Burstein!, Ruthybird Campbell, Margaret S. Chin (17 Aug. 2009), Maria Clara (PRIDE documentary), Shari Clemons, Bert Coffman, Michael Colosi, Yasmin Cornelius, Geoffrey Davis, Storme DeLarverie, Ken Diamondstone (14 Aug. 2009 dinner), Agnes DiSchiavi, Brian Ellner, Tony Feldmesser, Esq., Dr. Jessie Fields, Mini Forman, Dr. Lenora Fulani, Nia Giambi (PRIDE documentary), Pete Gleason (DID), Steven Gradman (PRIDE Dems), Kimberly Gray (PRIDE doc), Emile Griffith, Jr., Cristina Hayworth (PR), Williamson L. Henderson V, Gil Horowitz, Rogers Hunt, Bob Isadore, Joyce Johnson, Dr. Dyane Karron, Rev. Magora Kennedy, Jin P.J. Kim, Dan Klores, Bob Kohler, Joe Kopitz (SVA 29 Aug. '09), Yetta Kurland (recent at "S.V.A. Stonewall Party at The Stonewall Club" 29 June '09), Greg Lambert, Aubrey Lees, Ella Leggette, Elton Lowry (Youth-4-SVA), Felipe Luciano, Petie Lynn, Babsala Lynne (party 12 Aug. 2009 @ Gracie Mansion), Sean Maloney (dinner May 2005), Carl Manzano (dinner 11 Oct. '06), Randy Mark (dinner 29 Oct. '06), Leigh McManus, Patrick Murphy, Phyllis Murray (RN), Shira Newmark (art), Jeremiah Newton, Electra O'Mara, Susan Olmetti (art), Joe Percoco, Amir Qaharr, Rev. Gerardo Ramirez, George Reid, Luis & Luisa Rodrigo, Manni Rodriguez, Jack Rojas, Matti Rothman, Bill Salzman, Mary S. Twist, Terri Van Dyke, Tom Viola, Wilbur Weder, Hal Weiner, Dave West, Maliki Williams, Robert Woodworth, Gina Jones Wright (Youth-4-SVA), Dianne Yodice, Mark Zatlow and so very many others.
A.M.C. Aside: As per AnDre's real request, we are not 'allowed' to reveal the actual names of the small-minded, small-pocketed and small percentage of public officials he's met, observed and justly does not like such as... it's not easy bein' "Gang-Green", "The Glickster", "Pot-ty Head", "SchMarty" and "Giffy" -- nor the handful of nasty, 'bad seed', local kreepz such as The Poison Rat (so krayzee and so despised), Inzane Burnzy (so bizarrely outta it yet overpaid biggi bucks), Philis X. Read (loopy lyin' lozer and now 'late') and Alana "Airhead" Kommack ('liar, lyar'). The S.V.A. will oblige "Our Guy" AnDre by not revealing any actual names from this "Low-Down 86 List". Deal? U bet!
AnDre off-duty and street-posing on West 42nd Street at Times Square!
[Photo by Jamoca from Jamaica]
At most public events, S.V.A. Assistant AnDre Christie is recognizable and appreciated for his effective distribution of S.V.A. literature and its colorful flyers. AnDre also coordinates the Youth-for-SVA for special occasions and volunteer efforts. He gladly volunteers for the political campaigns of special S.V.A. supporters such as Carolyn, Michael, Virginia, Eliot, Margarita, Andrew and Melissa. At the S.V.A. office, AnDre handles processing mail, answering phones, making calls, faxing information, e-mail replies, welcoming guests, contacting politicians, mailing SVA-pax, communicating with other organizations and groups, promoting S.V.A. advertisers, document deliveries, financial pick-ups, distributing meeting notices, bank deposits and providing 411 about the S.V.A. In June 2005, AnDre was shown (wearing a bright red designer shirt) on network television news shows driving the famous 1969 "Stonewall Car" in the 36th New York City Pride Parade. Moreover, AnDre's chief responsibilities are to assist the S.V.A. Board of Directors, the multi-tasked and consistently-busy S.V.A. Director Williamson Henderson and the widespread and diverse S.V.A. Executive Committee.
AnDre Christie driving the really big Cadillac "Stonewall Car"
carrying Storme De., Bert Co., Cristina Ha. and Rose Gi.
with the S.V.A. leading the N.Y.C. Pride Parade
[Digital photography by Hal M. Weiner]
AnDre's favorite SVA-involved events are the New York City Pride Parade on Fifth Avenue with endless cheering spectators and the eye-candy 1969 "Stonewall Car" in the limelight; the New York City Stonewall Business Expo at the New York Convention Center with the 1969 "Stonewall Car" on exhibit; and the S.V.A. Stonewall Streetfair in Greenwich Village with the 1969 "Stonewall Car" on display. You'll notice the obvious common denominator. Apart from exciting events involving thee car, AnDre enjoys the private meetings with public officials as they are all so different from each other. His favorite "event" in 2005 besides the above three "Stonewall Car"-related and Gracie Mansion was not a public event but private at a corner booth of a tasty restaurant. The special occasion was a luncheon with Councilwoman Margarica Lopez and Williamson with community leader Liz Abzug, wherein AnDre was privy to learning a lot going back to the years of former Congresswoman Bella Abzug! The S.V.A.'s assistant AMC enthusiastically enjoys the monthly S.V.A. meetings, which are also quite different from each other. Opined AnDre, "The S.V.A. monthly meetings on the last Saturday are something that I always look forward to as they are always interesting, exciting, informative, enjoyable and fun thanks mainly to Williamson". On the S.V.A.'s office telephone recording, one usually hears: "Greetings, you have reached the community office of the STONEWALL Veterans' Association. Although no one is available to handle your call at the moment, you may leave a dee-tailed message. Please be sure to leave your call back phone number. The next meeting of the S.V.A. is on.......... at the Community Center in Man-hat-tan. Bless!" -- all from the inimitable voice of AnDre Christie.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"W/A/M": Williamson/AnDre/Melissa
[Photo by Marina Ortiz of Virtual Boricua]
AnDre Christie is proudly and happily shown with Williamson Henderson and the big District 8 winner herself at N.Y.C. Councilmember-elect Melissa Viverito's post-Election "Victory Party". It was held on Saturday night, October 1st, 2005, at La Palma Nightclub in the Upper Upper East Side. The joyous, diverse, fun-filled and colorful close-up photo was chosen as the first choice of the Viverito Victory Party by campaign webmaster Marina Ortiz. The complete collection is at: www.MelissaForCityCouncil.com/photos.htm.
Once at that website, go to the event header picture of "WAM" and click the photo to
reveal the interesting collection of over 100 pix,
including AnDre eatin' and a pic of Williamson and AnDre sitting
in booth
#1 (shown above) being
interviewed by free-lance reporter Laura Rivera about
how
Melissa met them, how it all gelled, what campaign
strategies the boys used and the
ultimately successful, closely-won Melissa Vee victory results.
Interestingly, the very first person from the S.V.A. whom
Melissa met
-- in hot July in the early evening while she was campaigning
solo at a street-level #6 subway uptown exit in front of a Dunkin' Donuts on Lexington
Avenue in East Harlem -- was AnDre!
On March 30, 2006, at an SVA-attended government reform
policy event by former U.S. Housing Secretary Andrew M. Cuomo at
Baruch College, AnDre was interviewed by a writer with The New York Post. The NYP
would later go on to endorse Andrew! Was it the AnDre
connection? AnDre was also shown on television that
evening on New York-1
News' "Inside City Politics" show in two different shots -- and
twice!! Ironically, the one televised scene showed AnDre in
action dutifully handing
out the yellow S.V.A. meeting notices.
In the late Summer of 2006, because of his substantial knowledge of
and involvement with the educational STONEWALL Veterans' Association,
AnDre was interviewed
for an upcoming documentary named "PRIDE". The producers wanted
and obtained the interesting views of a prime Youth-for-SVA.
AnDre did swell with views. He will also serve in the
film as eye candy!
We will keep you
posted on the details and the premiere. One of the many business
dinners that AnDre attends representing the S.V.A. was, for example,
with the Midtown Democratic Club President on October
16th, 2006
at the Village Restaurant in Greenwich Village. On October 26th,
it was a support and tribute event for N.Y.S. Attorney General
candidate
Andrew Cuomo at the Villa Pazzo, also located in The Village.
Boxing champ Emile Griffith was among the S.V.A.'s guests and
AnDre's pals. By the way, Andrew won and AnDre was there on
victory night
in a ballroom at The Sheraton Hotel. In late November, AnDre
was a participant at an S.V.A. agenda
meeting with Councilmember
Rosie Mendez at her district office. In December, it was several
invitations to holiday parties by public officials including
Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, Assemblymember Adam Powell IV and
Councilmembers Dan Garodnick and Jessica Lappin.
AnDre mostly
concluded the holiday month with his "Birthday Boi" routine on the 28th
of "Deck the Halls"!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AnDre C. at A/G Andrew C's A-1 Celebration
[Photo by Ruthybird]
AnDre kicked off the New Year 2007 with the S.V.A. -- besides as a
staffer
-- by attending the full-house and exciting "swearing-in" ceremony and
party celebration of Andrew
Cuomo as N.Y.S. Attorney General. AnDre's close-up picture above
is from that AMC event. The proud occasion was held on the
7th of
January in the
ancient, huge and spectacular Temple of Dendur at the famed
Metropolitan Museum of
Art. Less than a week later, AnDre and many SVA-ers were at the
revered Museum of
the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. That coronation was
with his
favorite female public
official, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, celebrating her
re-inauguration ceremony and party hearty. AnDre and
the Congresswoman also enjoyed reminiscing
about a tropical place that is very special to both of
them: Montego Bay! With Springtime, AnDre walked
with Williamson personally distributing the
2007 S.V.A. advertising literature to restaurants,
stores,
churches and clubs in The Village -- including a drop-by at
the famous Stonewall Inn. Once again, the big and valuable
"Stonewall Car" was proudly and perfectly driven by AnDre in the huge
New York City
Pride Parade. AnDre happily served on the "June 27th
Anniversary Committee" and helpfully serves on the S.V.A. "10/10
History
Committee" -- two S.V.A.
fun-/fund-raising events Among the summer events involving the
S.V.A. was a barbeque party and pix with N.Y.S. Governor Eliot and
First Lady Silda Spitzer at the fabled 79th Street Boat Basin on the
Upper West Side. The state's First Couple have welcomingly
met AnDre many times. At one of Congressmember Carolyn
Maloney's "Rumors Of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated"
book-release forums in the Spring of 2008, she nicely wrote in the inside cover: "Dear AnDre, my special S.V.A. friend from Jamaica! Be well, Carolyn Maloney".
AnDre Christie happily driving the classic Cadillac convertible
Question: Who is in the blue and white checkered shirt?
[Close-up photo by Shari Clemons, sitting in the car's front seat]
* * * * * * * * *
* * * *
=highlights 2008 events=
AnDre Christie again co-represented the STONEWALL Veterans'
Association
and joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg for a public
service celebration at Gracie Mansion. The invitation-only,
guest-list
event on Tuesday, August 12th, honored the American
Disabilities Act with an awards ceremony. The S.V.A.'s
member outreach program helps the physically disabled. At
this annual event, AnDre particularly enjoys the outdoor
fresh food festival and multiple barbeques! There is 'live'
jazz
entertainment. The impressive
location is East End Avenue and East 88 Street in the Upper East
Side of the "Capital of the World".
Mayor Bloomberg's strong-arm greeting for AnDre once again
[Photography by the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York]
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
AnDre co-hosts Reception for Apollo Theater legend Storme DeLarverie
[Photo by Rogers Hunt]
Storme DeLarverie is a legendary entertainer, actor and singer from a half-century ago. He was the star of the famous Jewel Box Revue. The entertaining and unique musical show travelled throughout America in all of the major cities and some small ones, too. They toured the South of America as a mixed racial troupe when it was dangerous and uncomfortable to do so. Although they span four generations, Storme considers himself AnDre's great godfather. AnDre admires Storme's great show biz History, durability and courage. Both with the same zodiac sign, in December, Storme turns 89 and AnDre turns 29!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
A day in the life of the S.V.A. staff assistant found AnDre
Christie in one triple-header: (1) visiting the New York
City congressional office of
Carolyn B. Maloney; (2) treated to an outdoor dinner at a fun restaurant
at the street level of the congressmember's office building and (3)
attending Congresswoman Maloney's book reception and book-signing at an
Upper East Side bookstore. So that he would have a Congressmember Carolyn book for reference
at home and at the office, S.V.A. Director Williamson bought AnDre
another CBM book "Rumors Of Our Progress"!
The wonderful Congresswoman took smiling photos with them and
signed this book: "Dear AnDre -- My very special Jamaican and Stonewall V.A. friend! Love, Carolyn B. Maloney".
AnDre C, Congresswoman Maloney and S.V.A. boss B. Williamson
[On-location photo by Bruce Peare]
On another day in the life of the
S.V.A.'s Staff Assistant, AnDre gets to attend official
business meetings such as with the branch manager and
assistant manager of the S.V.A.'s bank! In preparation for
the S.V.A.'s promotion and events for the monumental new "SW-40" year,
AnDre has already particpated in several business planning
get-togethers. One occasion was on Friday the 21st of November at
a luncheon meeting with Care Alternative * North America at an
authentic Belgian Restaurant in Greenwich Village.
With 2009, AnDre is appreciating his sixth year with
the S.V.A., continuing to learn and helping the organization prepare
and promote the 40th historic anniversary of legendary Stonewall!
The latter, for example, includes his meeting with the
producers of the celebratory parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City.
AnDre has the reserved honor of driving the famous "Stonewall
Car". With the campaign season of 2009, the classic Cadillac
convertible, with AnDre driving the two-and-a-half ton vehicle, made
its first campaign visit. It was in Manhattan on the West Side
Drive for N.Y. City Council (3rd District) candidate Yetta
Kurland. On behalf of Youth-4-SVA, AnDre visited many
campaign offices and met with many candidates including Bill
de Blasio for NYC Public Advocate, John Liu for NYC Comptroller,
Judge Leslie Snyder for Manhattan District Attorney and Ken
Diamondstone and Josh Skaler for NYC Council in Brooklyn. After the
virtual end of the political season, in a total change of events, AnDre
led the S.V.A. contingency at the annual Greenwich Village Halloween
Parade in Manhattan!
SVA's AnDre Christie with NYC's Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion
[Photo courtesy of the Office of the New York City Mayor]
17 July
2010
Lexington Heights, N.Y.C.
|
|
|
| Home | Photo Album |
