By Antoine Craigwell, Sr. Correspondent 
    
Eric Jones, Photojournalist

New York, NY-An upscale Harlem clothier, N Boutique, hosted a fundraiser in support of The Ali Forney Center last Wednesday, May 21. At the store, located on 116th Street, in Harlem, close to 100 people gathered for the fundraiser which provided that 10 percent of all store sales, a percentage of the book sales of "Hiding in Hip Hop" by Terrance Dean, and proceeds from a raffle would go to supporting the work of the Center.


 

 
 
 
The Center was established in 2002 following the murder on the streets of Harlem of homeless youth, Ali Forney, as a place for homeless LGBT youth.
 
 
 

Steven Gordon and Carl Siciliano(r), director of the Ali Forney Center

 
"We are living in times when people are coming out younger and younger. About 25 percent of the youth in our country coming out are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered, and about 40 percent of all those young people are homeless," said Carl Siciliano, the Center's founder and executive director, speaking at the fundraiser about the mission and role of the Center.
 
 
 

Organizers of the fundraiser Laurence Pinkney and Terrence Dean

 
Len Shebar, one of four partners who own and manage the store said that they have recognized the importance of contributing to deserving causes by incorporating a charitable component to their business. When Shebar and his partners learned of the Ali Forney Center, of the work it does for LGBT youth, and those marginalized, it was an instant decision to do something for them, he said.


"For me, its all about bringing a broader awareness through education," Shebar said.

 
 
 

Singer and entertainer Allyson Williams

 
Dean, who signed copies of his just released book and donated an autographed copy to be raffled, said that his participation in the fundraiser is to help to bring awareness to LGBT issues especially as it relates to teens and those at risk.

"My book addresses the issue of sexuality, those who are struggling with it, and those who do not have support systems in place to help them deal with emotional issues," he said.

 

 
 

Author Terrence Dean donated 10% of book sales at the event

 
Guests at the event were also treated to a wide assortment of food. Paul Jones of JTE Spirits provided sample cognacs and liqueurs.
 
 
 

German singer and entertainer Ikeena (r) and his lover of 13 years Ralph Hilca

 
 
 
 

Photojournalist Ocean Morriset(r) -- Sandy and Demetria Jennings