C4 NOVEMBER 25-DECEMBER 1, 2009 PULSE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Blount honored at Stargell banquet
Fundraiser helps keep youths off the streets
by Asia M. Howell
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Former Steeler great Mel
Blount was the special
honoree and J. T. Thomas
the special guest of Cham-
pion Enterprises and Five
Starr Corp. at the 34th an-
nual Willie Stargell ban-
quet to raise funds for pro-
grams to help keep youths
off the streets and in recog-
nition for community
achievers.
On Nov. 14, elegantly
dressed women and men
gathered at the LeMont
Restaurant in Mt. Wash-
ington to celebrate the
Stargell banquet. Blount
and Thomas were the
Steelers starting corner-
backs during the ’70s help-
ing them win four Super
Bowl championships.
Additionally, the New
J.T. THOMAS, special guest. B.B. FLENORY, special honoree.
Pittsburgh Courier’s own,
Joan Alli, was recognized things.” grams and other programs
and awarded for 38 years
MEL BLOUNT, special honoree.
Blount also such as “Toys for Tots.” He
of service with the Courier. said “We recognized the essay final-
“I am grateful for God least.” finalist for the “Why I Say need more ists as “the best of the best
blessing me with health, Also humbled by the invi- No to Drugs, Alcohol, and people and middle schoolers that we
happiness and a memo- tation to be honored, Violence” essay contest, or- organizations refuse to see on the 11 p.m.
rable 38 years with the Blount expressed his admi- ganized by middle school like (Bill news.”
Courier,” said Alli, who ration for Bill Neal’s efforts educator, Lorena Mitchell, Neal and Even though Blount was
also shared that it was the and commitment to the were recognized for their Champion the special honoree, 10
Courier’s staff that helped young people in the com- hard work and commit- Enterprises) other men and 10 women
to make those 38 years the munity. “I truly admire ment to thriving in their to try to were also honored. The
most eventful. “It does not what Bill is doing—Cham- academic endeavors. reach out men were: Sam Clancy,
even seem like it’s been pion (Enterprises) is trying Michelle Travis, an and help B.B. Flenory, Bob Rager,
that long since I walked to show Pittsburgh youth eighth-grader from Arthur change Don Patterson, Glen Ma-
through those doors for the an alternative to the J Rooney Middle School lives.” hone, James Cook,
first time.” streets.” and winner of the essay Neal, was Howard Slaughter Jr.
J.T. Thomas expressed Neal, organizer of the contest, disclosed her rea- here, there Ph.D, Fredrick Crawford,
his gratitude for being rec- event and president and soning for staying away and every- Kevin Cameron and Jim
ognized as an honorary CEO of Champion Enter- from drugs, alcohol and vi- where during O’Brien.
guest. “I am truly flat- prises, a 34-year old com- olence. “My good friend the event, The women were: Lillian
tered—humbled to say the munity service agency, was was killed by gun vio- trying to en- Wright, Tene Croom, Joan
sure to provide the attend- lence…and my brother lost sure that Alli, Debbie Hickman, Gail
ing guests with an example his father when he was
of just that—an alternative only two years old.”
BILL NEAL JR.—Organizer
things moved Klingensmith, Pam Cohen,
smoothly. Dawn Webb Turner, Anita
to the streets was a com- Travis explained that her Guests con- Drummond, Kathy Ferrari,
mitment to education and little brother lacks the been vaccinated to not let tinually recognized and and Monica Malik.
success in school. presence of a father in his these youth being shot and saluted him for his efforts The sponsors of the event
Ten outstanding middle life because his father killed bother us.” and commitment to the were Penn Avenue McDon-
school students selected as chose to sell drugs and is Admitting that his suc- youths in the community. ald, Prudential, Frank B.
now incarcerated because cess had much to do with Humbly, he reminded the Fuhrer, Highmark Blue
of that choice. She further growing up in a two-parent audience that this banquet Cross, the Pirates and the
explained that her close household, Blount said, was not about him but Courier.
friend didn’t have a choice. “There has been a break- about the kids. All benefits (For more information about the
“She was shot by stray bul- down in our families and and money generated from Willie Stargell annual banquet,
lets fired into her house our moral values and we raffles and the silent auc- Champion Enterprises, or ways to
while she was on the need to regroup as a people tion were going toward get involved with the Champion’s
couch.” if we want to change saving summer youth pro- efforts, call 412-607-3637.)
At the conclusion of
Travis’ essay, everyone
stood and applauded, some
MICHELLE TRAVIS, winner of
even came to tears to com-
the “Say no to drugs, alcohol
mend Travis on her brav-
and violence” essay.
ery and commitment in
staying away from drugs
alcohol and violence.
Thomas, before introduc-
ing Blount, shared some
profound words that were
TENE CROOM, honoree.
disclosed to him many
years ago by Blount. He
advised the youths in at-
tendance to always heed
and share, “Your circum-
stances never define who
you are or what you can
become.”
Captivated by Travis’
story and disheartened by
the plight of Pittsburgh
young people, Blount ad-
dressed the audience with
a call to action. “Life is
quick and we have some
serious problems in our
LILLIAN WRIGHT, honoree.
communities and with our
youth.”
He told the audience that
PHOTOS BY GAIL MANKER
they’ve become immune to
what’s going on in their
SERVICE AWARD—Joan Alli with family was honored for her 38 years of service to the New Pitts-
communities and with
burgh Courier. With her are, seated, from left: Sy Alli, son; Gwendolyn Leonard, niece; and Rhonda
DAWN WEBB TURNER, honoree. Alli, daughter.
their youth. “It’s like we’ve
Black Diamond Ball honors African helpers
The Second Annual Black who have been instrumen- Pittsburgh. A Nelson Man- and splendor of diverse gust Wilson Center. The
Diamond Ball of 2009 hon- tal in making the integra- dela Leadership and Diver- countries in Africa and Black Diamond Ball is one
ored key individuals from tion an effortless evolution sity Award to the honorees. guests enjoyed a memo- of Afrika Yetu’s signature
various institutions in the for African refugees, stu- This year’s theme “Tanzan- rable evening of African in- events. It is a themed
greater Pittsburgh area dents and immigrants in ite Blues” celebrated the spired décor, music, fine black-tie dinner, dance and
individuality, complexity wine and dining at the Au- auction.
PAM COHEN, honoree.
ROBERT O. AGBEDE, president and CEO, Chester Engineers Inc.,
receipent of the Nelson Mandela Leadership and Diversity award SHIRLEY OLAYINKA, Ph.D., Aganga-Williams ex-
from Afrika Yetu, during the Black Diamond Ball, held at the August ecutive director, was the Ajapo Refugee Resettle-
PHOTOS BY GAIL MANKER
ANITA DRUMMOND, honoree. Wilson Center, award winner. ment Organization award winner. ELIE KIHONIA, president and CEO of Afrika Yetu.
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