Election Welcomes Woods-Black To A Board With Growing Representation From Harlem To Help Further Establish Village As Tourist Destination
March 30, 2015 – Harlem, USA – As Harlem continues to establish itself as a world class tourist destination, its local leadership is also being recognized for the role it is playing. Last week, Tren’ness Woods-Black, granddaughter of the late Sylvia Woods and third generation heir of one of Harlem’s most iconic businesses, Sylvia’s, was elected onto the NYC & Company’s Board of Directors. The appointment makes Mrs. Woods-Black the latest in a line of high profile progressive Harlem movers and shakers to join the board and marks a substantial move to build on Harlem’s strengths as a tourism highlight in New York City.
Woods-Black was joined by Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster as a newly minted board member, and both join fellow Harlem builders including Thelma Golden, Studio Museum; Jonelle Procope, the Apollo and Jorge Daniel Venaciano, El Museo Del Bario, among several others. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to strengthen my legacy-building efforts on behalf of Harlem through this very vital New York City organization,” Woods Black remarked.
“Representing a business that has welcomed visitors to Harlem and New York for over 50 years and counting, we understand the importance and value of our visitors and see this as a more crucial time than ever to strengthen the Harlem brand within the context of our great city and global visibility,” Woods added.
Woods Black has enjoyed a long relationship with NYC & Company, having supported a number of the organization’s initiatives including being featured in several of its national and international campaigns. As the VP of Marketing for Sylvia’s and President/Chief Strategist of Tren’ness Woods-Black, LLC, her marketing and events company, she has dedicated her efforts to building upon her grandmother’s legacy and contributing in a meaningful way to the overall preservation of the Village of Harlem and its culture. As such, she is a founding member of Harlem Park to Park, has represented the National Action Network and has been a champion of education for disadvantaged children through her philanthropic work with the Sylvia and Herbert Woods Foundation, where she has raised over $100,000 for the cause.
Woods-Black has also served as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, recognizing the devastating effect heart disease has on the Harlem community. In addition, three years ago, Woods-Black adopted MS/PS 7 School in East Harlem where she mentors students about making healthy food and life choices. She also supports the school’s culinary programming through “WITS” Wellness in the Schools, which is a member of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chefs Move to Schools planning program. A 20-year restaurant industry veteran, Woods-Black is a founding board member of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.
She has been featured in several major media outlets, including The Associated Press, Good Morning America, MSNBC, The Early Show, BBC, Good Day New York, The New York Times, The Daily News, and the Dr. Phil Show. Most recently she has appeared and/or been featured on: The View, The Food Network Special Savoring Harlem, Time Magazine, Master Chef Australia, and Project Runaway. In addition, Woods-Black and Sylvia’s will both be featured in Harlem Eat Up, the food festival planned for Harlem in May and presented by Marcus Samuelsson.
NYC & Company is the official nonprofit destination marketing organization on New York City.
For More Information Contact:
Valerie Wilson, ValincPR
917-405-5917
