Loycent Gordon, Owner of Historic Neir’s Tavern, to Receive Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Award QUEENS, NY (February 2026) — Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) has announced that Loycent Gordon , owner of the historic Neir’s Tavern , will be honored with the Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Award at its 30th Annual “Evening of Fine Food.” The event, a milestone celebration of culinary excellence and community impact, will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 , at Terrace on the Park. Named after the late Queens Borough President, the Claire Shulman Award recognizes individuals who embody leadership, advocacy, and a tireless commitment to the people of Queens. Gordon, a Jamaican immigrant and former FDNY firefighter, is being celebrated for his role in preserving Neir’s Tavern—New York City’s oldest continuously operating bar—and transforming it into a hub for community resilience. “A community is only as strong as how it cares for its most vulnerable members, and ...