And the award goes to...
Now we present the very deserving Community of Color 2009 Honors Award recipients:
Honored Firm Award: Tompkins Trust created a holding company in 1995 and merged with Letchworth Independent Bancshares in 1999. Letchworth brought the Bank of Castile and Mahopac into Tompkins as subsidiaries. Tompkins Trust traces its roots back to Ithaca's Tompkins Community Bank, chartered in 1836.
Many in America, during this time of crisis, are counting every penny and using every avenue to get from one financial moment to the next. Particularly those organizations and businesses operating in the extracurricular fields had started feeling this "crunch" long before most, yet this Bank consistently helps such clients make headway. Tompkins' small town, hands-on approach is one of the reasons our small businesses are recovering so quickly, and the primary reason so many of us bank with them. The personal touch without judgment is really that special ingredient the team at Tompkins does so well. At times when a person could so easily feel like a failure, Tompkins' employees all help to create the education, recovery, and possibilities that make clients breathe. For proving itself as a valuable asset to our community, and equally showing its generosity in giving back to the community, showing its support to other local businesses, and providing the financial backbone for many companies and individuals to achieve great things, we honor Tompkins Trust Company with the Honored Firm Award.
"This award is given in recognition of a company’s undying commitment to people and community development."
Rise Award: Through tremendous dedication and personal training, Quendel Ellison helped bring the Auburn High School Football Team to win the State Championships at the Carrier Dome. Quendel followed his passion for football to Trinity Pre School, where he continued to win awards and set season records for his amazing abilities as a running back. Now having transferred to University of Albany, the future looks bright for this accomplished young athlete. Quendel has certainly risen to the challenge of achieving fantastic life goals, against any shortcomings or scarcity of opportunity. For this inspiring trait, we honor Quendel Ellison with the Rise Award.
"This award is given in recognition of an individual who demonstrates, either in arts, sports, or academia, the
discipline, integrity, and community involvement that inspire the possibility of positive contributions that effect more than just themselves. All of this carried from a place of humility and self-realization that leading by example makes a difference. The recipient clearly understands the importance of sharing. They embody the
connection, and embrace their relationship, to family, community and personal development."
Visionary Award: Angela Daddabbo is one of five founding members of Auburn Public Theater, is the founding and current Artistic Producing Director and has produced over fifty productions/presentations since APT first opened its doors nearly three years ago. Three years ago, Angela conceived of and implemented APT’s Children’s Theater Summer Workshop as well as this year’s first annual Thanksgiving Celebration. She is also the film curator for Auburn Public Cinema, APT’s 70-seat state-of-the-art movie theater. Angela is a proud citizen of Auburn, New York, a grateful participant in all aspects of Auburn Public Theater and a champion of arts programming for young people.
Back in LA, where Angela met Mr. Carey Eidel years ago, they always talked of a shared dream to own a theater building where they could program plays, musical performances, comedians, family productions and acting classes. With their first spare million dollars, they fantasized, they would buy a little building on Theater Row in Hollywood and see to making their dream come true. But when they made the decision to leave LA in 2001 and move to Auburn, they also made the decision to leave that dream behind, too. Until that fateful feng shui consultation at Daddabbo’s Pizza, their dream of having a theater space of their own was all but dead and buried.
However, on December 7th, 2005, Auburn Public Theater opened its doors to the public for an Open House. Over five hundred people came and took a tour and, since then, over twenty thousand patrons have come through the doors of APT. It is their wish, the wish of all involved with Auburn Public Theater, that 50 or 100 years from now, programming will be going strong, the number of people through the doors will be in the millions, Downtown Auburn will be the thriving city center it once was and has always deserved to be and those people running the place will have as much fun working together as all of us have had dreaming it into existence. For this effort, we are proud to award Angela Daddabbo, Carey Eidel, and the Auburn Public Theater the Visionary Award.
"The Visionary Award is given in recognition of an individual or company for weaving the value of diversity into its corporate structure and the community. It honors those who see where society should be, identifies how to get there, and, with determined resolve, implements the journey."
Visionary Award: The Redhouse is a unique arts facility featuring year-round presentations in theatre, music, film, and fine art. The center presents local, national and international artists in an innovative and intimate environment and works to encourage a connection between Syracuse and the international arts community. Laura Austin has helped create and run the Red House, a brand new theater space in downtown Syracuse. The range and imagination behind the performance pieces that get placed in the space bring increased validity to the City of Syracuse for offering consistent experiences in performance and graphic art.
Laura Austin is the founder and Artistic Director of Redhouse Arts Center located in Syracuse, NY. In 2003, she developed and implemented the Redhouse Capital Campaign, which raised $1.4 million and she managed the renovations of a three story historic building in Downtown Armory Square. Since that time under Austin’s artistic direction, this state of the art facility has hosted over 300 events in theatre, film, visual art and music. For this ingenuity and creation of a new cultural draw to the City of Syracuse, we honor Laura Austin and the Red House with the Visionary Award.
"The Visionary Award is given in recognition of an individual or company for weaving the value of diversity into its corporate structure and the community. It honors those who see where society should be, identifies how to get there, and, with determined resolve, implements the journey."
Award of Social Conscience: Tracing it's roots to 1908, the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce has played an active and positive role in the economic life of the county for almost a century. Originally conceived as an organization of businesses involved in trade, today's Chamber has come to see itself as a leader in promoting all the positive aspects of Cayuga County including natural beauty, rich history, cultural events, educational excellence, and its positive environment for economic growth. Since its inception, the Chamber's commitment has continually grown stronger, and looks to the future with affection and allegiance toward our citizens and businesses in Cayuga County.
MISSION:
To provide progressive leadership and serve as an advocate for the business community, focusing on nurturing prosperity and enhancing the quality of life for its members and the residents of Cayuga County.
VISION:
To make membership in the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce of unequalled value and importance to business in Cayuga County.
Terri Bridenbecker is one of the most effective leaders this community has ever known. Terri was a leader not because she talked the loudest, nor because she spoke her ideas the fastest. Rather, Terri was a leader because she was not afraid to walk behind someone and catch them when they least expected it. She had an uncanny way of being able to speak softly, but with words that were so clear and poignant they filled the room and your mind. Terri helped turn a Chamber of Commerce that was filled with great people yet also great struggle, and simply removed the struggle. She did this by truly seeing the people she was speaking to, and never looking past them as if they were not important enough. She treated everyone like they were the most important person in the room. She helped rebuild the Chamber's image and standing in this community, one person at a time. Speaking softly, and moving loudly. Terri's tag line was always - "Everyone is welcome." Terri Bridenbecker is a Community of Color Social Conscience award winner in absentia because she was not only a great leader, but because she was in fact the conscience of our community. The impact of her presence will without question endure.
For this ingenuity and creation of a new cultural draw to the City of Auburn, we honor Terri Bridenbecker and the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce with the Award of Social Conscience.
"This award is presented to an individual or company for their ability to facilitate positive change, by identifying those in need and those with resources; and then acts as the conduit insuring the needs are met."
Award of Social Conscience: Dr. Roosevelt "Rick" R. Wright, Jr. is a mainstay and an institution in broadcasting, public service, and education in Central New York.
Wright is a professor in the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where he teaches courses in radio and television announcing and performance, radio and television commercial and continuity writing, and radio station operations, management, programming, engineering, and finance. Before joining the Syracuse faculty in 1975, he was an adjunct professor of radio, television, and film at Howard University, assistant professor of educational media, radio, and television at North Carolina Central University, director of educational media at Delaware State University, and instructor of educational media and associate director of the audiovisual center at Elizabeth City State University. For his astounding work and diligence in spreading a positive word over the airways of Central New York each week, we are honored to present Dr. Rick Wright with the Award of Social Conscience.
"This award is presented to an individual or company for their ability to facilitate positive change, by identifying those in need and those with resources; and then acts as the conduit insuring the needs are met."
Spirit of Life Award: Raised in Auburn, Rhoda Overstreet is a graduate of Cayuga Community College; she earned her Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services through Empire State College, and was awarded a Master of Science in Management by Keuka College. She attended all of these college programs while working full time, and being a full time Mom.
Rhoda has worked at Cayuga Home for Children for the past eleven years, starting as a Group Care Worker. She received two promotions before assuming her current role as Assistant Director of Residential. Rhoda has worked tirelessly with youth from the community, her church, and the Cayuga Home for Children , helping them to realize their potential. Undoubtedly her greatest accomplishment has been being the mother to her two children, Jahmere and Dejuan. Her children have blessed her with the experience of true success.
"This award is given in recognition of an individual or individuals who take a larger than life personal commitment to support communities, groups, organizations and the small person's causes."
Spirit of Life Award: Mary Jacobs was born on October 5, 1955 in Auburn, NY. She is the daughter of Mettis Jacobs Jr. and Lilly Bell Jacobs. She is the youngest out of 6 children. She and her siblings Cora, Joyce, Patty, Wanda, and Mettis were raised in the city of Auburn where Mary in turn raised her own four children, Lisa, Antwane, Shawn and Shavonn. She is the proud grandmother of nine.
Mary has lived and worked in the Auburn community her whole life. She worked on the health field holding jobs at Mercy Rehab, Auburn Memorial Hospital and doing private duty. More recently she worked at Booker T. Washington Community Center as a cook and program assistant. Mary enjoys keeping active and involved. Her interests are many and varied. She has volunteered her time and services to such organizations as the health department, BTW Community Center, the Healthy Men and Women Partnership, the Joshua Generation and many others.
"This award is given in recognition of an individual or individuals who take a larger than life personal commitment to support communities, groups, organizations and the small person's causes."
Spirit of Life Award: Josh was raised and went to school on Long Island, NY. After earning his associates degree in Criminal Justice, Josh entered the Police Academy in NYC. In 1994, Josh accepted a transfer position into the Auburn Police Department; becoming the only African American officer within the department. During the past 14 ½ years with the APD, Josh has been involved with community policing, and almost 8 years with the narcotics division. Josh currently oversees the IT department where he has implemented numerous technological elements to advance the department as a whole.
Josh and his wife, Lisa settled into the Auburn community where they are raising their four children, Justin, Jordan, Owen and Leah. Josh’s interests are varied. He has a passion for motocross, enjoys building and flying r/c helicopters, and playing guitar. Spending time with his wife and children, however, is his number one priority.
"This award is given in recognition of an individual or individuals who take a larger than life personal commitment to support communities, groups, organizations and the small person's causes."
Award of Distinction: Born in Texarkana, Texas on February 2, 1918, Rev. Vernice Warfield was the 5th child of the 11 children of Arthur and Emma Smith. Rev. Warfield inherited the industrious determination of both her parents. Though growing up during the great depression the family always had plenty of food – their cow supplied milk, the chickens eggs and the pigs meat. They sold some of what they grew in the garden and meat from their livestock but giving was paramount. Her mother always shared whatever they had with anyone who was in need. This altruistic example was instilled in all the children. Each Sunday morning the entire family would travel in their horse drawn wagon or by trolley car to be in church at 9:00am. Religious practice and spiritual guidance was a daily experience for the Smith family.
Since women were not allowed to become ministers in the Baptist church Rev. Warfield was eventually ordained as a minister in the AMEZ church. She became pastor of the historic landmark African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Auburn, NY in 1959. This was the church where the former slave and abolitionist Harriett Tubman worshiped in the early 1900’s. The similarities in the lives of these two women is uncanny – both born in a family of 11 children and both courageous and determined activists dedicating their lives to helping others. Rev. Warfield has counseled countless individuals, couples and congregations. From 1947-48 she created some of the first Parent/Teacher Associations in Rochester. She volunteered for many years in public schools teaching remedial reading and math. She not only taught children but would become aquatinted with their parents and helped them as well. She was chair of the Monroe County Adoptive and Foster Care division focusing on getting children of color adopted. She was the secretary of the F.I.G.H.T (Freedom-Integration-God-Honor-Today) organization that was formed in response to the civil rights riots in 1964 to engage the Rochester community into a debate on economic equality, community cohesiveness, and social responsibility. FIGHT demanded that Kodak initiate a large-scale training and employment program for Rochester's inner-city poor, among other civil rights initiatives throughout Rochester and Western New York.
Rev. Vernice Warfield has lived a full and blessed life of goodwill. She raised 3 of her own children, two sons and a daughter, as well as raising numerous other children and at times whole families who lived in her home. She has 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. We are proud to award Rev. Vernice Warfield with the Award of Distinction.
"This award is given in recognition of an individual who has, over years, changed the community and who has had a profound affect on the people around them by living life as a positive example."
John A. McLeod Vanguard Award: Honorable Timothy Lattimore is a life long resident of the City of Auburn. His love, dedication and commitment to our city government began when he served on our city and counties Planning Board for ten years. Tim was instrumental in prospering Auburn with projects pertaining to Wegmans, Holiday Inn, the Bun Factory, the Steel Mill and Owens of Illinois (Miller Bottling), which greatly helped to keep our cities budget in the black.
His interests pursed with becoming a city councilor from 1987-1991 and worked with our city government and county to maintain and entice Snyder General (McQuay), to stay in the Auburn area. This greatly helped to employ our manufacturer workers.
With 20 years in the public sector, Tim Lattimore served Auburn as a City-County Planning Commission member and City Council member.
He also followed in his father's footsteps by becoming Mayor of the City of Auburn. While serving as mayor, his focus was to promote Auburn’s future with energy, and by scrutinizing and changing the previous management's spending, from a million dollar deficit to a $6 million surplus. Tim has always strived to better our community and make it a place where our children can grow up and prosper. As Mayor of Auburn, he made energy efficiency his top priority, creating the Auburn Municipal Power Agency and putting together a $5.35 million energy conservation project targeted at twelve city buildings. He also authorized a public-private partnership to construct a bio-digester that utilizes landfill methane gas combined with sludge from Auburn's wastewater treatment plant, reducing the town's dependence on natural gas and taking its wastewater treatment plant off the grid. His leadership has set the precedent for energy efficiency in Auburn. For helping to make the City of Auburn a better place to live for all, including future generations, we proudly present the John A. McLeod Vanguard Award to Timothy Lattimore.
"This award is presented to an individual who has impact on their community in either the arts or business, living and continuing the legacy of accomplishment this award represents."
Anton Germano Dance Award: Husband and wife team Darren and Heather Stevenson founded PUSH Physical Theatre in 2000 out of a desire to push the boundaries of conventional theatre.
Gravity defying PUSH Physical Theatre has been called a cross between fine art sculpture and the hit movie “The Matrix.” This theatre of the body features professional performers who appear to manipulate both time and space in a live environment. PUSH’s unique form has transformed it into a national company that has performed all over England, across the United States and Mexico and appeared on PBS and NPR.
In its short history the five member company has worked with Borders Books and Barnes and Noble and developed an Arts in Education program for schools across the region. PUSH has created commissioned work based on a Picasso and Louise Nevelson exhibit for Cleveland Museum of Art. For this performance, they used costumes from the Art Crew Collection. In 2003, the company performed for a Youth Jam audience of 5,000 at the Cleveland Convention Center. Darren Stevenson set his original work, "Samson," on Inlet Dance Theatre. PUSH has a continuing collaborative relationship with Corning Museum of Glass. They have signed on for a 10-year alliance with artist Glenn McClure and author Dava Sobel for a collaboration called "The Galileo Project." It is based on Sobel's New York Times best-selling novel Galileo's Daughter. As well as numerous television appearances including PBS, PUSH continues to perform in venues ranging from theatres, art museums, churches, schools and colleges across the United States, England and Mexico. We are proud to honor PUSH Physical Theatre with the Anton Germano Dance Award.
"This award is presented to an individual who shows a determined discipline to succeed in dance, while, exemplifying the intelligence, integrity and humor for life displayed by the individual for whom this award is named."
Richard Ellner Award of Hope: Michael Henty is the president and founder of the Champions for Life center. Mike has over 30 years of teaching and sports administration experience and has produced state, regional and national champions during his coaching career. He is a former member of the U.S. Junior Olympic coaching staff for the U.S. Gymnastic Federation as well as a USPTA Certified Tennis Teaching Professional. Mike has also authored a series of articles for young people on how to develop spiritual strength through sports.
CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE SPORTS CENTER is a 44,000 sq. ft. multi-sports complex
located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Auburn, New York. The center is operated by Champions For Life, Inc. a non-profit organization that
was founded in 1983 with the mission to develop virtues and character through
sports. The philosophy of all the programs is to develop the God-given talent of
each individual to become all they can be as an athlete as well as a person. We are proud to give Michael Henty the Richard Ellner Award of Hope.
"This award is presented to an individual who has shown exceptional commitment to their artistic pursuits, but equally a commitment to their community as evidenced by the hours of their community service work. The recipient of this award is a shining example of all the characteristics that made Richard Ellner such a pillar of dance in New York City, and ultimately in the world."
Richard Ellner Award of Hope: William H. Rowland II is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company, which was incorporated in 1982 as a non-profit, tax exempt theatrical and performing arts enterprise. Recognized as one of Syracuse’s leading cultural performing arts organizations, the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company offers theatrical entertainment, educational programs and theatre workshops. Throughout its 20 year legacy, The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company has garnered a national and international reputation as well as numerous awards for its achievements, cultural contributions, quality entertainment and community involvement.
In 1982, Rowland partnered with Roy E. Delamos and launched the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company, as a tribute to his hero, and a mission to serve as a landmark African American cultural enterprise in the Central New York area. Currently, the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company works in partnership with the African American Studies Department of Syracuse University and the Community Folk Art Gallery. It is our pleasure to give William Rowland the Richard Ellner Award of Hope.
"This award is presented to an individual who has shown exceptional commitment to their artistic pursuits, but equally a commitment to their community as evidenced by the hours of their community service work. The recipient of this award is a shining example of all the characteristics that made Richard Ellner such a pillar of dance in New York City, and ultimately in the world."
