Syracuse PAL Inaugural Awards Ceremony Program

Digital Program for Syracuse Police Athletic & Activities League’s

Inaugural Ceremony Awards

June 1, 2024

Run of

Guests arrive

Opening remarks by MC Akua Goodrich

Keynote Speaker Jordan Pierre

Legacy Award Champions for Children Award

Kids, Cops & Communities Award

Medal of Distinction Award

#Playball Recognition

After the ceremony ends, we invite you to join us for photos and activities until 4:30.

Akua A. Goodrich | MC

“Legacy is birthed into light each time a complete stranger becomes the beneficiary of your commitment to service”.

Akua A. Goodrich penned this quote with a spirit that defines and exemplifies this truth in her life. Her dedication to effectively supporting and addressing the most pressing needs of youth, women and families is exemplified through her altruistic walk of life.

A wife and mother of three change makers, Akua currently serves as the first ever Director of Student Registration for the Syracuse City School District where she is responsible for supervising and ensuring implementation of the registration, transfer, school choice, placement, and withdrawal processes for more than 17,000 existing students, and an average of 2,500 new and returning students each school year. A staunch advocate for high-quality education for all children, Akua lives and breathes a life of transformative leadership and service.

Her contributions to the Syracuse community are endless. In 1995, her sincere passion for youth achievement and social change, coupled with her unique writing abilities, landed her a position as the first African American, and youngest person, hired as a Grants Procurement Specialist with the Syracuse City School District. While serving in that position for more than 15 years, she actively secured and managed hundreds of millions of dollars.

An active member of the Syracuse Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., currently serving her second term as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, Akua further represents the very essence of service to her community. Serving as a licensed minister at Abundant Life Christian Center, Syracuse, NY, Akua is forever honored to meet the needs of her community both naturally and spiritually. As the founder of LIFENOW InternationalTM, Akua’s heart beats for opportunities to mentor, support, encourage and empower leaders, women, and girls. Since 2020, she has actively served as the Volunteer, Chief Operations Officer for Girls Loving Ourselves Worldwide (GLOW), an organization founded by her 16- year-old daughter Samaia to promote positive images of black and brown girls worldwide.

A recipient of numerous awards, including Youth Service America’s Fund for Social Entrepreneurs and the Greater Syracuse 40 Under 40, Akua fully embraces the call of leadership and service on her life. Her vision for positive change, unity and establishing and solidifying the destiny of Syracuse through the conscious efforts of our community’s leaders, professionals and members is relentless.

She distinctly states “At the end of the day, it is not about what you have received, but what you have shared. It is not about who knows you, but who you have encouraged to understand, know, and love themselves, and their communities. God has entrusted me with the opportunity to serve my community and empower leaders, women, and girls with an uncompromising spirit of love, understanding and accountability as we seek and move collaboratively toward equity across every facet of the community, nation and world”.

Jordan Pierre |

Jordan Pierre is a Journalist, a critical analyst of media, a Public Speaker, and a youth Activist. He received his Bachelor’s in Broadcast and Digital Journalism with a master’s Degree In Television, radio, and film from Syracuse University.

Pierre is a leader amongst his generation, knowing that the times call for youth who understand their purpose and are moving in alignment with their calling, he uses his platform to educate and empower not only his peers but also those from marginalized communities to use their platforms to amplify the voice of the unheard.

He is the CEO & Founder of the Voice Foundation where he helps youth to discover their voice, teaches lessons

Being born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jordan’s life mission is to revive hope in the lives of communities that have historically been deprived of it and to reaffirm youth in claiming their role in shaping the future.

Legacy Keynote Speaker

on the change that has been achieved through youth mobilization, and provides insight on how to leverage their social media to build community.

He has spoken at various colleges, events, and symposiums from Oprah Winfrey Scholars to working his way up to being featured on the NBC Today Show with Hoda and Jenna and The Tamron Hall show.

Jordan Pierre firmly believes that life is a series of assignments and wants to show the world that the assignments God appoints are once you can achieve while being authentically yourself and not compromising your values. Since he was young Jordan has always stated that he aspires to be the President of the United States, which he still aspires to be.

Caleb Aquino

Jelanie Augustin

Nykeace Bachus

Cartier Benton

Allana Bonner

Kenzo Briant

Travon Burke

Samantha Chang

Jayce Collier-Monty

Lauren Davis

Egypt Days

Alaiya Ditumbule

Ransom Evans IV

Jaedyn Fields-Griffin

DeWight Fisher

Armonie Fisher

Yusuf Gamil

Reagan Graiten

Ja’Leesiya Hall

Jamarion Hall

Jolon Hall

Jahsai Huggins

Royal Jones

Ava Kinsey-Mack

Jamela Lanier

Presented to youth who have had outstanding participation in PAL programs.

Synsarah Lavender

Kory Lovette

Giselle MacKool

Jace Mattingly

Evalia Mattingly

Dontray McAster-Kinsey

Jaeceon McClain

Livitcus Meadows

Zion Meadows

Jaylon Montaque

Qristopher Montgomery

Brady Moskal

Amora Murphy

Gianni Neves

Kaden Nickens

Ethan Oakes

Autumn Fitch Orr

Mason Pace

Payton Perry

Dominic Tyler Pizarro

T’kieren Ramos

JT Ramsing

Bradley Robinson

Giovanna Rodriquez

Marisol Rodriquez

Zoe Sepulveda

Michael Sistrunk

Michael St. Morgan

Isaiah Stewart

Patriya Stewart

Abigail Sun

Thomas Sun

Jayla Temple

Jaymere Temple

Jaymarya Temple

Kayla Thomas

Kahmel Tucker

Jayden Walburger

Glen White

Eli Withers

Malia Works

Champions for Children

Presented to community members that provide stewardship and unparalleled contributions to PAL.

Delivery of gifts from Sam’s

Barbershop and Luke Leidka

2021

Syracuse City School District

Luke Leidka

Sam's Barbershop

Onondaga County District Attorney's Office

Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter

2022

Summit Federal Credit Union

Syracuse Elk Lodge 31

City of Syracuse Office of the Mayor

Syracuse University Maxwell School

Nottingham High School Aquatics Department

Syracuse University Office of Community Engagement

Syracuse Mets

Onondaga County Probation Department

Kids,Communities Cops, &

Presented to law enforcement representatives that have provided explemary participation and leadership essential to PAL’s success.

2021

Onondaga County

Probation Department

PO Linda Betts

PO Paul Dickens

PO Sonialys Dussing

PO Nate Brown

Supv. Michelle Millender

DeWitt Police Department

Ofc. Edward Mason

Chief Chase Bilodeau

City of Syracuse Attorney

Amanda Harrington

Syracuse Police Department

Deputy Chief Mark Rusin

First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff

New York State Police

Captain William Ramsing

2022

Syracuse Police Department

Det. Dawn Daly

Ofc. Austin Bush

Ofc. Nikki Hendrix

Ofc. Nadia Diaz

Ofc. Kristen Hughes

Sgt. Thomas Blake

Deputy Chief Julie Shulsky

Chief Joseph Cecile

Syracuse University Department of Public Safety

Ofc. Joseph Dishaw

Haven Jiu Jitsu

Ben Tallini

Award SEED

Presented to community members that play a pivotal role establishing a foundation and future for PAL.

First Camp

Nottingham High School Athletics | Football Team

Tillie’s Touch Soccer Program

Community Folk Art Center

John Wallace

John Wallace Jr.

First Program

First Tee Syracuse On The One | Jasmine Coan

#Playball Recognition 2021 In partnership with

US Conference of Mayors

Danny Leidka

Adam Weitsman

Jim DeSantis

Alton Hicks

Joseph Torrillo

Alex Minnoe

Yenzer Perez

Alfonzo Whitehurst

Ruthnie Angrand

New York State Senator

John Mannion

Chris Luechung

Clinton Jackson

Lisa Sacco

Michael Greene

Nottingham High School Girls

Varsity Softball Program

Major League Baseball (MLB)

10 Less Incorporated Syracuse Mets

Activities

After the ceremony ends, we invite you to join us for photos and activities until 4:30. Enjoy the activities listed below!

Bounce House, Speed Pitch, Mini Hoops (Inflatables)

Esports (Consoles)

Giant Checkers, Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga

K9 Demo

Drone Demo

Full Size Basketball Hoop

Coloring By Numbers, ID Creation, Speed Typing

Joust (Inflatable)

Mini Golf (3-Holes)

Track Lanes for Head-to-Head Races and Football Passing Routes

DJ Spin Center (w/DJ Bella J)

360 Video Booth

Dunk Tank

Pro DJ (Event DJ)