Harlem
YMCA Marks 31 Years of Recognizing African-American Achievement
by
Dynishal P. Gross
The grand ballroom of the New York Hilton
Hotel swayed with the music of a jazz ensemble, while men and
women, giggly teens and dignified elders mingled and posed in
gowns and tuxedos. As corporate executives, students and honored
guests filled the dais, like a beautiful choir filling the stands,
the applause of the audience swelled to join the music. The Harlem
YMCA’s 31st Annual National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry
(BAI) was off to a glorious start as the audience rose to hear
a gospel-tinged vocal rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Since the founding of the event in 1971,
the Harlem YMCA has honored nearly 4,000 African American corporate
executives as Black Achievers in Industry. This year, 75 new Achievers
were added to that number. The ceremony also recognized the academic
and service endeavors of youth and educators.
The evening’s premier honor, named for BAI
founder Dr. Leo B. Marsh, was given to Larry Dais, Assistant Vice
President for Public Affairs and Director of Community Affairs
at Columbia University. Dais announced that the university would
earmark five new scholarships for New York City public high school
students who wish to attend Columbia University summer enrichment
programs. The scholarships will be administered by the Harlem
YMCA.
Twenty-two high school and college students
were awarded scholarships donated by a host of Fortune 500 corporations,
led by the event’s lead sponsor, Deloitte and Touche. Kareem Martin,
a senior at the Thurgood Marshall Academy High School, who has
participated in the programs of the Harlem Y since the age of
15, was recognized as the BAI Youth Achiever of the Year. In addition
to a scholarship, Kareem was offered a four-year internship with
the Coca-Cola Company. He is now academically, financially and
socially prepared to move on to college. “I’m ready for the challenge
of creating a digital renaissance, with corporate support to bridge
the digital divide,” he shared in his acceptance speech. “The
only limit to what I can do is what I can dream, and I have big
dreams.
The theme of the evening was ‘Diversity:
Investing In Our Future,’ and William G. Parrett, Managing Partner
of Deloitte and Touche, explained the value of diversity in the
corporate sector. “Diversity is the key to effective problem solving.
A range of ideas and experiences are brought to the table.” Clearly,
many corporations agree, as the Achievers represented close to
fifty corporations from a number of sectors.
Maurice DuBois, a familiar anchor from News
Channel Four was the skilled Master of Ceremonies for the gala
event. Speakers included the Reverend Calvin O. Butts, Pastor
of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and Earl Graves, founder of
Black Enterprise magazine. Susan Taylor, Senior Vice-President
of Essence Communications Partners delivered a keynote speech
in which she shared the inspiring story of her own professional
journey. She offered this wisdom to the youth and adult Achievers:
“What creates a permanent sense of well-being is integrity, dedicating
yourself to something that matters.” Many of the Achievers will
put this advice into practice immediately, as they join the BAI
Mentor Program. To date, more than 300 youth have benefited from
one-on-one relationships with these corporate and community leaders.
For additional information on the programs
of the Harlem YMCA, call 212-281-4100 or visit www.ymcanyc.org.
Education Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001. Tel:
(212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of
the publisher. © 2001.
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