Meet Rev Carmen Hernandez
Rev Carmen Hernandez, was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico On April 28, 1963. At the age 6 month old she move to New York City and has live in the Bronx ever since. On her mothers side, Rev. Carmen has nine brothers & sisters. Five brothers and four sisters and she is the eldest of her sisters. From her father side, she has another nine siblings. She is the CEO/Founder/Outreach/Pastor, Stratford Community Services, Inc.(Giving Kids/Youth a Chance). As an advocate/Activist in the Soundview section of the Bronx for the past 30 years, Rev. Carmen has helped empower at-risk inner city kids. Through her efforts and a list of activities that specifically target youth, Rev. Carmen has proved to be a vital part of the South East Bronx community. She has also coordinated Stratford Annual Back 2 School Jam Block Parties for three decades.
Rev. Carmen slowly met and organized small business owners, persuading each business and community to work together as one family. Rev. Carmen carefully realized that the future of our community much depended on building a stronger business outlook and saw the need to empower small business owners to create a positive environment in the neighborhood. Rev. Carmen also helped to build other organizations, such as helping build the Bronx Christmas Parade and is currently working toward 1st Macys Thanksgiving Parade in the Bronx. Ten years ago Rev. Carmen co-founded and was the Senior Vice President of the Bronx Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc. And then had a very important role as co founder, of the Latin Hip Hop Summit at Lehman College, with Mr. Russell Simmons.
Rev Carmen Hernandez is a Board Member and LGBTQ committee chair for NASLCC
Rev Carmen Hernandez is a Board Member and LGBTQ committee chair for NASLCC
Rev Carmen was recently named the Bronx Power 100. As an advocate for LGBTQS Community and minority owned businesses, Rev Carmen has fought hard to ensure for their equal rights. Under her leadership, discriminatory practices and unfair legislative enactments that negatively affect minority business owners throughout New York have been re
Rev Carmen was recently named the Bronx Power 100. As an advocate for LGBTQS Community and minority owned businesses, Rev Carmen has fought hard to ensure for their equal rights. Under her leadership, discriminatory practices and unfair legislative enactments that negatively affect minority business owners throughout New York have been reduced significantly. For example, she successfully sued the Bloomberg administration, who had previously only provided 1% of contracts to minority owned businesses. Under Garcia's leadership, that number has grown to 30%. A staunch advocate of individuals’ rights, she also successfully led another lawsuit against former Mayor Bloomberg’s “Soda Ban” legislation, which sought to regulate the sizes of beverages served in restaurants.
Rev Carmen Hernandez is a Board Member and LGBTQ committee chair for NASLCC
Rev Carmen Hernandez is a Board Member and LGBTQ committee chair for NASLCC
Rev Carmen Hernandez is a Board Member and LGBTQ committee chair for NASLCC
Rev Carmen Hernandez is a Board Member and LGBTQ committee chair for NASLCC
NYSCHCC's Mentorship Programs:
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
As a community leader, Hernandez also mentors inner city youth and underserved communities through programs such as the Wildcat Academy. And Founder of Stratford Community Services, giving kids a youth a change and 1471-73 Watson Ave Resident Council Kids and Youth. Through these youth development programs, opportunities have been provid
As a community leader, Hernandez also mentors inner city youth and underserved communities through programs such as the Wildcat Academy. And Founder of Stratford Community Services, giving kids a youth a change and 1471-73 Watson Ave Resident Council Kids and Youth. Through these youth development programs, opportunities have been provided for inner city youth to learn and practice leadership skills.
she has provided internships to students at Millennium and introduced them to cutting-edge business practices. Students have been successful and have earned placement at Fortune 500 product companies.
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
Rev. Carmen was Honor Mentioned and awarded the Groundbreaker Latina Leader award in the United States in 2006 by Catalina Magazine.
- On April 22nd, 2009 Rev Carmen, won the NY State Regional & International Small Business Administration, “SBA” Award.
- Rev Carmen also was awarded the Rising Stars Awarding Winners for 2009 by the Department of
Rev. Carmen was Honor Mentioned and awarded the Groundbreaker Latina Leader award in the United States in 2006 by Catalina Magazine.
- On April 22nd, 2009 Rev Carmen, won the NY State Regional & International Small Business Administration, “SBA” Award.
- Rev Carmen also was awarded the Rising Stars Awarding Winners for 2009 by the Department of Labor – Latino Job Service Employer Committee GALA.
- On Oct 27, 2009, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, honor Rev Carmen at national clergy appreciation month reception.
- On Oct 29, 2009, Comité Noviembre, has awarded Rev Hernandez with the 2009 “Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad” Award.
- On December 5, 2009, Rev Carmen was awarded on as the Our Youth’s Hispanic LGBT Activist of the Year.
- December 10th, 2009, The Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce awarded her with “Influential Women behind Hispanic Chambers”
- El Diario has nominated Rev Carmen as a recipient of the 2010 “Mujeres Destacadas Award” a recognition given annually by El Diario La Prensa.
- On June 28, 2010 Rev Carmen was nominated for the AT&T Bold Honor Award which recognizes an everyday individual in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community that has made a difference during the past year
- November 5, 2011, The Board of Directors of the Puerto Rican Initiative to Develop Empowerment; (PRIDE) have selected Carmen Hernandez-DeArmas as one of PRIDES recipients, she was honored at the PRIDE Awards for the Lesbian of Year category.
- June 2014 Rev Carmen Hernandez was honored by PR for People, chief editor Ms. Patricia Vaccarino – http://www.joomag.com/magazine/mag/0262958001400721710?feature=archive
- On March 30, 2013 Rev Carmen was honor with the justice and community award from MCCNY | The Metropolitan Comunity Church of New York
- May, 2014 she is nominated for the Lifetime Volunteer Service Award.
- Oct 2014 she was honor for the Humanitarian award by LUNY
- Bronx Times 25 Influential Women 2015 – https://youtu.be/Z0SB2d0Hfr4
- On July 2015, Rev Carmen Hernandez was awarded for Bronx Volunteer of the year 2015 in the category of lifetime volunteer service award.
- On May 15, 2016 Rev Carmen Hernandez, was awarded for the 2016 volunteer achievement award from the Bronx Boro President, Ruben Diaz, Jr.
- August 1, 2017 Rev Carmen Hernandez was awarded by Public Advocate Hon. Letitia James, in recognition her exemplary dedication to the community.
- December 8, 2017 Bronx Community board 9 – City of NY Award Rev Carmen Hernandez for Watson Ave Tenant Association of NYCHA development for her recognition for her exceptional community service appreciation award.
- June 2018 AARP New York celebrates Pride Month and highlights Reverend Carmen Hernandez from the Bronx who formed the first NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce
- June 2019 Lyft featuring Rev Carmen Hernandez, & the NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce the people, neighborhoods, and organizations that make this city what it is.
- Rev Carmen Hernandez is the 2019 Bronx Power 100; City & State recognizes the most noteworthy figures in the Bronx.
- Rev Carmen Hernandez is the Power Woman of the Bronx! 2021 by Bronx Times Newspaper and Bronx Times Reporter and Schneps Media
- August 28, 2021 Rev Carmen Hernandez, was honor with the highest State Senate Award by Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda