Darryl Settles to be honored with Harriet Tubman Community Achievement Award

Who:   Darryl Settles will be presented the Harriet Tubman Community Achievement Award

When: Saturday, March 29, 2014 11AM – 1PM

Where: United South End Settlements’(USES) Harriet Tubman House, 566 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

What: The Harriet Tubman Community Achievement Award presentation featuring performances by the Boston Children’s Chorus and USES Platinum Signers and free lunch

BOSTON, Mass. – For the past several years, March has been a month of celebration and acknowledgment at USES. To commemorate the life of Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist, suffragist, and humanitarian who died in March 1913, USES hosts Harriet Tubman Day. On Saturday March, 29 from 11AM – 1PM USES will celebrate Harriet Tubman Day with a live intergenerational concert including USES’ own Platinum Signers and a special guest ensemble from the Boston Children’s Chorus. Between the live music performance and free lunch, the Harriet Tubman Community Achievement Award will be presented to a community member whom carries on the legacy of Harriet Tubman. Past recipients of this award were Joyce and Mel King, Syvalia Hyman, and Paulette Ford.

When folks think of the name Darryl Settles, the first thing that pops into mind is something like, fried catfish strips with Cajun remoulade. Or perhaps your mouth waters for one of Darryl’s famous chicken martinis.  And the All You Can Eat Jazz Buffet Brunch on Sundays at Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen (DCBK) is a beloved experience of Southern cuisine connoisseurs everywhere.  Originally known as Bob the Chef’s, DCBK truly has become one of Boston’s most successful restaurants. But there are other words that come to mind when referencing Darryl Settles—like leadership, advocacy, and achievement.  That is why, based on nominations from community leaders, United South End Settlements (USES) is presenting their prestigious 2014 Harriet Tubman Community Achievement Award to Darryl Settles.

Kevin Hepner, USES’ President and CEO said,

“Darryl Settles has done more for this community than most people know.  His advocacy on behalf of minority-owned businesses and his 2010 co-founding of WiSe Urban Development LLC (“WiSe”) in partnership with the Winn Companies to build affordable housing in our neighborhood is another example of this young man’s ingenuity, leadership and his strong voice on behalf of so many that have struggled to sustain their choice to live and work in the South End of Boston.  The USES Family is honored to present this award to Darryl Settles.”

While more than 70,000 people attend the much anticipated Beantown Jazz Festival each year that is currently managed by Berklee College of Music, most do not realize that this nationally acclaimed Festival, which draws attendees from all over the country and is a significant driver of revenue for local businesses, was started by Darryl Settles in 2001.

USES invites you to join the celebration. Harriet Tubman Day is free and open to the public.  RSVP is required to Matthew Dickey at mdickey@uses.org or by calling (617) 375-8108.