Renee V. H. Simons facts for kids

Renee V.H. Simons, born in 1949, is a talented leader who used to work for big companies. She is also the president of SANS Sag Harbor. This is a special group that helped get important Black beachfront communities recognized as historic places. These communities are called Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Subdivisions. They are now listed on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.

Renee Simons' Education

Renee Simons went to college and earned several degrees. She has a Master's degree in Education Planning from Fordham University. She also earned an MBA, which is a Master of Business Administration, from Columbia Business School. Her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, is from Hunter College.

Renee Simons' Career Journey

Renee Simons started her career in 1978. She worked for large companies like General Foods Corp. and James River Co. She was a brand manager for popular products like 7-Up. Later, she became a group director and then a sales promotion director for Phillip Morris USA.

Simons also held a senior vice president position at JPMorgan Chase. Her work at these big companies included advertising, marketing, and managing technology. She also worked in banking. After retiring from her professional career, she started volunteering. She joined the board of directors at the Sag Harbor Partnership. She also became the President of SANS Sag Harbor. This non-profit group helps run the Eastville Historical Society.

Protecting History with SANS

SANS stands for the Sag Harbor communities of Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Subdivisions. On July 10, 2019, these communities were officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as very important historical sites.

Renee Simons, as the president of SANS Sag Harbor, worked hard for this recognition. She explained that these communities were created to be safe and caring neighborhoods. They offered a place for African-American families to enjoy vacations. This was especially important because, in the past, African-Americans were often not allowed in many public recreation areas.

Newsday reported that Simons successfully led the effort. The communities were first listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places in March 2019. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand supported adding them to the National Register. She said that SANS is one of the last African American beachfront communities in the country. Its history must be protected. Simons felt great pride in this recognition. She said it helps "codify the history," meaning it officially records its importance.

Sandra E. Garcia, writing for The New York Times Style Magazine, shared more about SANS. Simons, who lives in Sag Harbor Hills, helped raise money for the landmark applications. There are 195 buildings in these subdivisions. They are all part of the SANS historic district.

Simons promoted the landmark application through many meetings and fundraising events. She also reached out to the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). They sent 25 volunteers to help with the process. Her team also got a grant and did a lot of research. Simons said, "If we don’t say anything we’ll lose the essence of this neighborhood." She wanted to make sure that "Children won’t remember what it took to be here."

Renee Simons' Awards and Recognition

Renee Simons has received many honors for her work:

• In 1991, Black Enterprise magazine named her one of "21 Women Of Power And Influence In Corporate America."
• In 1996, Monroe College honored her for her business achievements and community service. She received the 'Excellence in Enterprise Award.'
• Simons also received the YMCA's Outstanding Women of America award.
• On December 4, 2019, the Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest & Ninevah Steering Committee received an award. It was the Excellence in Historic Preservation Organizational Achievement award. This was for their nearly four-year volunteer effort.
• In 2020, she received the Project Excellence Award from Preservation Long Island. This award recognized the great community work for historic preservation. It highlighted the important history of the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras on Long Island.

See also

• Hilda Lindley
• Northwest Alliance