Teachable Moments

Students, Parents, Community Members and Business Leaders Join Grassroots Organization to Honor Extraordinary Role Models At 7th Annual Men & Women Who Make The Difference Celebration

By Tiffany J. Hudson

For more than 12 years, Community Youth Advance—born out of the merger between two notable Prince George’s County nonprofits Mentoring to Manhood, Inc. and Community Tutoring Inc.—has helped students boost their academic performance, develop strong character and give back to the community. This year, its seventh annual “Men & Women Who Make The Difference” gala and fundraiser honored five brilliant, talented and dedicated Prince George’s County community leaders.

It was a night to remember with more than 300 parents, students, business professionals and community leaders from around the region gathered Nov. 10 at Martin's Camelot in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

This year’s theme, “On the Shoulders of Giants,” was taken from the Isaac Newton quote “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” The night began with a networking session and appetizers while guitar music played in the background by a guitar soloist. Guests were then treated as VIPs and invited to take photos on the "gold carpet".

The evening had an intimate feel, despite being sold out.

“It was exceptional this year. Although we had a little over 300 people, it felt very intimate---like family,” said Kimberly Hodges of KHR Creative. “A shining moment was having the youth in the program introduce the honorees - they did a wonderful job and understood the importance of their participation in the program.”

Said Robert Malone, organization Co-founder and Board Chair: “I am so excited about this event, because it reinforces our mission and highlights how everyone has the potential and opportunities to change our communities and make them better.”

This year’s event was hosted by NBC4 Anchor and 2016 honoree Leon Harris. As the honorees were presented with awards, there were wonderful testimonies from the youth and their parents on how Community Youth Advance changed their lives for the better.

“The people we are honoring this year reinforce the benefits of committed community service and they certainly make an impression on our youth,” Malone said.

This year’s honorees included:

●     Dr. Charlene Dukes, President of Prince George’s County Community College.

●     Curtis Valentine, Board Member, Prince George’s County Public Schools.

●     Tonia Wellons, Founder & Director, Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund.

●     Dr. James A. Dula, Executive Director Niaimani Choices Inc.

●     Donna Cooper,  President Pepco Region. View Cooper acceptance video.

“The honoree videos were touching and truly gave the audience a look into the lives of those we chose to honor and why they were worthy of recognition,” Hodges said.

Old Line Bank, Chick-fil-A, SunTrust, Clark Construction, PNC, Long & Foster, Prince George’s Community College, Comcast, Clark Construction, Deloitte, M&T Bank, NAI Michael, and Pepco sponsored this year’s gala and fundraiser.

“Our ability to fill existing gaps—improve the academic performance of our young boys and girls, or build character and self-confidence for our mentees—relies on the support we receive from community partnerships,” said Malone. “With more than 12 years of impact, you can trust that every cent you contribute will be well-managed.”

The night ended with dancing to the Baltimore, MD band Nelly's Echoe.

Community Youth Advance is most notably recognized for its signature program Mentoring to Manhood and its Saturday School program at High Point High School. The grassroots organization engages more than 400 students in out of school time to help them find their pathways to success. Its goal is to improve the academic performance for young boys and girls in the County. According the organization’s website, in this year alone, it helped more than 140 students make academic gains in STEM education through the Saturday School partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools.

To learn more about this event, how to become a sponsor for next year’s event, or Community Youth Advance, visit communityyouthadvance.org.