By Dr. Kashi Bazemore & Kandaka Immanuel
Sylvia Wiggins, Executive Director of Helping Hand Mission dedicated the hospitality and dining room at The New Bern House in Raleigh, North Carolina in honor of the late Dr. Eddie Bernard Corbett. Now known as 'The Corbett Room,' this space pays tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Pastor Eddie Bernard Corbett Sr.,of West Hempstead, NY. Pastor Corbett was a servant leader whose generosity and love uplifted the Raleigh, NC Durham, West Hempstead and Brooklyn, NY communities.
Located at 501 New Bern Avenue, in Raleigh, NC, The New Bern House is the cornerstone of Helping Hand Mission’s Transitional Housing Program, designed to provide a temporary home, tools, resources, and opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. The goal is a transformative mission to empower individuals to transition into independent living.
Pastor Eddie Bernard Corbett was very dedicated and supportive of The New Bern House. His generous financial support on behalf of his family and New Life Christian Center of Hempstead, NY made it possible to provide vital services and support to families and individuals in need.
The renaming of the dining room in Pastor Corbett’s honor was far more than a symbolic gesture. It was a recognition of a man whose life exemplified faith in action. The Executive Director, Ms. Sylvia Wiggins shared, “When they first opened the doors at New Bern, he loved to see people come and eat and be served. All types of people came from all over the place, and they were happy to have a place at the table. The kids were so happy. There was a special seat for dignitaries, but he didn’t want to sit there because he chose to sit with the people. That’s the kind of man he was.”
Being a leader of service was the root of his upbringing that he remained deeply committed to throughout his life. Pastor Corbett was born in Wilmington, NC and then raised by his grandparents Joseph and Pearl (Beatty) Stokes (also of Wilmington, NC) in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY. He was educated in the public schools of District 13. After graduating Boys High School, he used his championship track and field skills to provide him with scholarships for college. After graduating Southern University in Arkansas, he returned back to the public schools of District 13 as a science and health educator at Francis Scott Key JHS 117. He served as an educator and administrator for the New York City Board of
Education for over three decades. During his tenure he created after school programs of service like the Medic Cadets, which provided middle school students the opportunity to learn about and explore all areas of the medical sciences. Many of those thousands of students became doctors, nurses, scientists, paramedics, dentists, etc.
Having been raised in and of service to the community through Mount Sinai and then Zion Baptist Church in conjunction with his love of music, marching bands, and having been a professional drummer since the age of 14, he joined forces with other youth leaders and established an afterschool and church youth program that formed the Zion Ambassadors Drum & Bugle Corp. This program gave Brooklyn youth a safe place to socialize, receive academic tutoring, and learn musical instruments along with structure and discipline. Many of those youth used those skills to become ceremony officers for the New York Police Department, play in military marching bands for the United States, and various other forms of professional musicians.
As an Assistant Pastor and founding member of New Life Ministries in Hempstead, NY, (where his wife, Dr. Katherine Corbett serves as the Senior Pastor) he continued his life work of service. You rarely found him in the pulpit or in ministerial garments. He was often in everyday or work clothes cleaning, fixing, helping, and of course, serving. He didn’t need a collar for people to acknowledge him as a minister, they saw it in how he served the people. Especially through his smile, hand shake, hug, listening ear, and words of encouragement. If he saw a need, he just went to work to resolve it. His dedication to feeding families through the Frank Reilly Sr. Food Pantry at New Life, no matter the weather or pandemic, is a prime example.
In 2004, Pastor Corbett was introduced to the Helping Hand Mission by his daughter, Kandaka Immanuel. “My great-grandmother, Pearl Beatty Stokes, would always tell me that if I needed help to find a Helping Hand Mission. When I relocated to Raleigh to establish a new life, fresh out of the Army, I needed a lot of things to establish my new home. I remembered what my Granny Pearl said and took a chance to see if such a place existed in the yellow pages. I was actually surprised to find that there was indeed a Helping Hand Mission. I was able to get everything I needed for my home and I met and fell in love with Ms. Sylvia and The Mission. My father having the same love for people and service through outreach and the arts as Ms. Sylvia and the Helping Hand Mission team, it was imperative that they meet. And it was love at first sight, if you will, for my Dad too. Whenever he would come to visit from NY he made it a priority to get to and help support and serve at Helping Hand. I’m grateful he was able to be a part of receiving the honor of the The Corbett Room dedication at New Bern House in the summer of 2024.” recalls Ms. Immanuel.
Now today, The Corbett Room stands as more than just a dining hall. It is a place of connection, nourishment, and reflection. Pastor Corbett’s picture now hangs prominently on the wall—a visual reminder of his life of service and the village-minded love he extended to all who crossed his path.
“He was passionate about helping people who were down and out,” Sylvia Wiggins shared. “He was a servant leader who believed in helping those who were in need. His eyes would light up whenever he visited The New Bern House and saw all the people coming in to eat and receive a helping hand.
The dedication of The Corbett Room is a powerful tribute to a man whose life embodied purpose, love, and unwavering faith. His story continues to inspire those who walk through the doors of The New Bern House—families on their journey to independence, children in need of guidance, and volunteers moved to serve.
Pastor Eddie B. Corbett, Sr. transitioned on the morning of February 26, 2025 in West Hempstead, NY. His favorite song, This LittleLight of Mine, was also the soundtrack of his life of service. Through this sacred space, The Corbett Room and the continued work of Helping Hand Mission and The New Bern House, Pastor Eddie Bernard Corbett Sr. still offers a seat at the table and light that will continue to shine.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23 May The Corbett Room continue to echo the kindness, strength, and vision of the man whose name it bears.
If you would like to make a donation to The Corbett Room or Helping Hand Mission, Please make checks payable to and send to: Helping Hand Mission located at 623 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27601.
