JAMAICA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Jamaica Center Business Improvement District announced today that its Executive Director, Rhonda Binda, was honored as the Community Leader of the Year by the Queens County Young Democrats. Binda joins other honorees including Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President who is the Elected Official of the Year; Moira McDermott, a labor activist who is the Labor Leader of the Year; and Mike Corbett, President, NY State Young Democrats and with Millennials4Hillary, who is the Young Democrat of the Year.
Honorees were selected by the Queens County Young Democrats based on demonstrated leadership, character and community impact. This group of leaders is being recognized at the 10th Annual Queens County Young Democrats Summer Gala.
“We’re excited to recognize Rhonda Binda’s work in Jamaica, Queens,” said Stacey Eliuk, President of the Queens County Young Democrats. “It’s great to see female Democratic leaders making a positive, visible difference in the communities they serve. Rhonda is a great example for us because she has gone back to the community where she grew up to help develop it economically and culturally. We are proud to honor her tonight.”
Binda has served as Executive Director for the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District since 2014. She has advanced the business improvement district by leveraging the three Ts – Technology, Tourism and Transportation – to continue its evolution as a thriving business hub, and a sought-after shopping and tourist destination. Previously, Binda worked with local governments worldwide for the U.S. Department of State and for the Office of Public Liaison at the Clinton White House. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Public Policy from Duke University with a minor in African-American Studies, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. Binda is from and lives in Jamaica, Queens.
“Since Rhonda has been on our team we’ve had very positive momentum,” said Michael Hirschhorn, President of the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District. “We have accomplished so much in the past two years. From beinghighlighted in The Wall Street Journal as the number one real estate destination in New York City, to successfully launching the Jamaica Start Fund, which now has more than 30 applications submitted for venture capital funding, and winning the 2016 NYC SBS Neighborhood Challenge Grant to curate the Jameco Exchange art exhibit in partnership with No Longer Empty – we’ve really begun to move Jamaica, Queens forward as an economic and cultural hub. I’m thrilled Rhonda is being recognized by the Queens County Young Democrats and look forward to seeing what we accomplish next.”
About The Jamaica Center Business Improvement District:
Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District is the largest business improvement district in Queens. It promotes downtown Jamaica as the premier destination for living, shopping, working, and playing. For more information, please visit www.jamaicacenter.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @JamaicaAvenue. To connect with Rhonda Binda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondabinda.
