BINGHAMTON, NY (607NewsNow) – Senator Lea Webb is honoring Southern Tier leaders in recognition of Black History Month.

On February 19, Webb presented State Senate Commendation Awards to Gladys Brangman, Baruch Whitehead, and Bernice Cooper.

Brangman founded Business Leaders of Color (BLOC) in Ithaca and serves as CEO.

“I have been an educator in the Southern Tier for over 10 years, and it’s been said that if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” stated Brangman. “Educating and supporting new business owners is a passion, and definitely not work. I am humbled by this award and thankful for the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity.”

Dr. Whitehead is a Professor of Music at Ithaca College and the founding Director of the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers.

“My work is rooted in building community, preserving cultural traditions, and creating spaces where students can discover their voices and their purpose,” stated Whitehead. “The most rewarding part of my career is witnessing students grow not only as musicians, but as confident, compassionate leaders. I take great pride in contributing to a field that values artistry, education, and service.”

Cooper works at SUNY Cortland as a Business Administrative Assistant.

“Although I was born in Brooklyn, I moved to Cortland in 2022, and in just a few years, this community has given me so much,” stated Cooper. “I tend to go places and not leave them the way I found them, and that belief guides both my professional work within the SUNY system and my academic journey at Tompkins Cortland Community College, as well as my service with organizations such as the NAACP Ithaca/Cortland Branch and the Cortland County Community of Color. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Southern Tier.”

In addition, two others from the Binghamton area, Donald Cole and Amy Rice, are receiving awards. You can read more about them from Senator Webb’s office here.