George Onuorah, Willie Dixon, others get honors from New York’s ‘You Can Go To College Committee’
By Chido Nwangwu, Publisher of USAfricaonline.com, CLASSmagazine, www.PhotoWorks.TV and USAfricaNewsWire (Houston, Texas)
You Can Go To College Committee (YCGTC), a non for profit organization established in 1996, championed by Executive Director of YCGTC Dorita Clark, Educational Director Sister Shirley Dye and their team recently hosted its 13th Achievement Awards Benefit Luncheon honoring trail blazers in New York City. YCGTC seeks to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college for first generation students.
Over the years, one of the rewards of community service as seen by the YCGTC is the recognition and respect of community leaders and role models. One of such recognized persons is the Nigerian-American George Onuorah, a political science graduate and founder/CEO since 2007 of the New York-based Youths International Inc. was among those honored on Saturday, November 14, 2009 for imbibing the youth group he mentors with “a better self esteem and helping them to build self-reliance.”
Others honorees were Long Island’s Hempstead Assistant Police Chief Willie Dixon for “The Unity In The Community Award”, Sandra Karkins for “The Christian Achievement Award”, Inspector Jeffrey Maddrey for “Stop The Violence Award”, Leslie Spiegner for “Save The Children Award”. Elder Dr. Michael Baston was honored for “The Christian Leadership Award”, Donna Clapton recieved “The Community Leadership Award”, and Fireman John Coombs “The Humanitarian Award”. The “Outstanding Community Award” went to Verdia Noel of the Council for Airport Opportunities, “Save The Community Award” went to Inspector Timothy Pearson and “The Helping hand Award” to Emily Walton. Some of the honorees got congratulatory messages from retired Gen. Wesley Clark, Weiner, Meeks, NY Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith, Queens Borough President Helen Marshal and Queens Times Publisher James Lisa.
The event pictures are posted on the largest pictorial events site for Africans in America, www.PhotoWorks.TV, powered by USAfricaonline.com
Onuorah, in accepting the “Youth Service Award” before an audience of almost 600 guests at a banquet hall in New York, called on the youth to place a higher premium on education. He has pursued those goals by supporting the mission of YCGTC to support “students from 9th grade through 12th grade (and) to provide educational support for those young people whose goal is embracing college education.”
YCGTC sponsors annual Black Historical College bus tour, PSAT and SAT preparation courses, parent financial program internships, scholarships and financial assistance program. The organization has enrolled more than 3000 students in colleges and universities and more than 1000 graduates all across the U.S.
Some elected officials in attendance were Congressmen Gregory Meeks, Anthony Weiner and Gary Ackerman; State reps Leroy Comrie, William Scarborough, State Senator Eric Adams, and Archie Spigner.
Ackerman also gave Mr. Onuorah a Congressional letter of proclamation which cited him as “a great role model for aspiring young men and women. He is an ardent believer in the limitless potential of youth and his faith in his abilities has immeasurably helped our young people to become successful member of society.” His proclamation also declared the day “George Onuorah’s Day.”
Onuorah who describes himself as a political activist and and aspiring journalist told USAffricaonline.com and CLASSmagazine that “I’m a disciple of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) and a Pan-Africanist. His first book “The Political Diary of A Rising Son” is due out before summer 2010.
He recalls “having worked on several political campaigns, namely the Hillary Clinton 2000 Senatorial Campaign, Obama grassroots effort and I’m a member of several political clubs. He currently serves as a community liason person for Councilmember Helen Sears serves as Vice-Chair of the Neighborhood advisory board of Queens district 4. Mr. Onuorah, evidently, is drawing remarkable recognition for community service and as one of Africa’s rising sons in America. © USAfricaonline.com 2010. USAfrica and USAfricaonline.com (characterized by The New York Times as the largest and, arguably, the most influential African-owned, U.S-based multimedia networks) established May 1992, our first edition of USAfrica magazine was published August 1993; USAfrica The Newspaper on May 11, 1994; CLASSmagazine on May 2, 2003; www.PhotoWorks.TV in 2005
U.S official on ‘Why U.S added Nigeria, Nigerians to enhanced terrorism risk list’ » USAfricaonline.com special report
Obama confirms Mutallab trained by al Qaeda; Republicans attack Obama for “slow response” USAfricaNewswire, Jan 2, 2010. USAfrica multimedia networks, Houston. USAfricaonline.com
https://usafricaonline.com/obama-mutallab-terrorism-alqaeda/
Nigerian Terror suspect’s Houston visit raises questions…. USAfrica’s Publisher Chido Nwangwu speaks to Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6788559.html
Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Mutallab is a man whose relatively mild-mannered public persona has been snatched from him; snatched by the most unlikely person: his own son, Farouk Abdul Mutallab.
FULL commentary at USAfricaonline.com https://usafricaonline.com/mutallabs-chido-usafrica
