Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson and
Adult Achiever of the Year recipient Mache Readus-Wright (photo)
Black Achievers honor leaders of the future - Scholarships, awards given at celebrationWriter: Darhiana M. Mateo
2/25/2007
Louisville Courier-Journal
For Rita Bowman, last night's 28th annual YMCA Black Achievers Awards Celebration was about pride and promise.
Bowman, a specialist in early-childhood education, said that seeing the award recipients' successes left her excited about the potential of local black youths -- the next generation of leaders.
"I just keep thinking where they'll be in six or 10 years. How many doctors and lawyers and teachers we'll have. The impact they will have on thousands of other kids," she said.
About 1,000 elegantly clad guests gathered in the Cascade Ballroom of the Kentucky International Convention Center downtown to celebrate the accomplishments of the Black Achievers. The smooth sounds of jazz mingled with enthusiastic applause as the program began.
The event was aimed at honoring local minority high school students with more than $1 million in scholarships and also recognizing local adult achievers.
The Chestnut Street YMCA's program, established in Louisville in 1980, is part of a national YMCA initiative that connects adult mentors with African-American youths in eighth through 12th grades. Participants explore different career options, take part in work-study programs and earn college scholarships.
Since the program began, about 1,520 high school seniors have been awarded more than $15 million in scholarships.
Cheryl-Lynne Patrick and Mache Readus-Wright were named Adult Achievers of the Year and Kevin Anderson Jr., a senior at Male High School, was named Youth Achiever of the Year.
Along with her job as assistant vice president and director of environmental performance and governmental compliance for Brown-Forman Corp., Patrick, a Connecticut native, volunteers with several community-based organizations, including the Black Achievers program and Bates Memorial Baptist Church.
In a speech, Patrick expressed her gratitude to her friends and family for supporting and nurturing her potential throughout her career.
It is a debt Patrick is gladly paying back as a mentor and volunteer with the Black Achievers program, she said.
"As you begin your next chapter in life," she told the young people gathered at the celebration, "continue to honor yourself by being true to your inherent greatness. Don't be discouraged by those who can't yet see your greatness. ... Push forward."
Readus-Wright, a senior project engineer in the public works department for Louisville metro government, echoed Patrick's faith in the future of the program's youths.
She said in a speech that volunteering with the program has "been one of the highlights of my life."
Lynn Johnson, director of Black Achievers, said the adult achievers -- recognized for their accomplishments within their individual companies -- are vital to the program, "sharing their talents with young people, guiding and directing them in their individual career paths and helping them become productive people."
Ashley Beeler, a junior at duPont Manual High School and one of the youth Black Achievers, said being recognized encourages and inspires black youths to achieve their highest potential.
"It feels really good. Black teens don't get recognized enough for all they do," Ashley said.
"To get recognized for something positive is really nice, makes you feel like you can really accomplish something in life."
Other Mache Readus-Wright links:
American Public Works Association
Outstanding Young Americans
