The First Baptist Church of Great Neck, pastored by Rev. Barbara Gray, honored Jerome Blocker on Feb. 25, as part of the church's annual Black History program. Mr. Blocker was presented with a plaque for his work and dedication to the Manhasset-Great Neck community.

At the age of 42, Jerome has been married for 14 years to Arlene. They have two children, Jasmine, 8, and Jade, 4. Jerome grew up in the projects on Pond Hill Road and today is a homeowner residing in Great Neck.

Jerome was baptized at an early age by the late Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Griffin, founder of the First Baptist Church of Great Neck.

Jerome graduated from Manhasset High School in 1976. He attended Cheney State University from 1976 to 1977 and graduated from Nassau Community College in 1985. He was elected Manhasset Economic Commission Chairman in 1996.

Jerome assisted in reclaiming the community center building at 65 High Street from the E.O.C. of Nassau County to the original owners, the Manhasset-Great Neck E.O.C. It took several years of hard work and a great deal of assistance from the Town of North Hempstead and the law firm of Ackerman, Cullen, Levine and Brickman.

Jerome is currently battling for the Manhasset-Great Neck Head Start program and working to restore the center to its former status as the focal point of activity for the entire community.

Jerome is owner of Blocker & Associates, established in 1992, whose primary business is income tax preparation, bookkeeping and financial planning.

In September 2000 Jerome passed the IRS Special Enrollment Examination and is currently waiting for his qualifications for enrollment to be examined by the IRS to determine whether or not he has achieved enrolled agent status.