Syracuse PAL Inaugural Awards Ceremony Program

Digital Program for Syracuse Police Athletic & Activities League’s

Inaugural

Awards

Ceremony June 1, 2024

Run of

Show

12:30 Guests arrive 12:40 Opening remarks by MC Akua Goodrich 12:45 Keynote Speaker Jordan Pierre 1:05 Legacy Award 1:15 Champions for Children Award 1:30 Kids, Cops & Communities Award 1:45 Medal of Distinction Award 1:55 2021 #Playball Recognition 2:05 SEED Award 2:15 Closing 2:30 Activities

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

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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.

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”.

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.

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Keynote Jordan Pierre | Speaker 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.

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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.

Legacy Caleb Aquino Jelanie Augustin Nykeace Bachus Cartier Benton

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

Award

Allana Bonner

Synsarah Lavender

JT Ramsing

Kenzo Briant

Kory Lovette

Bradley Robinson

Travon Burke

Giselle MacKool

Giovanna Rodriquez

Samantha Chang

Jace Mattingly

Marisol Rodriquez

Jayce Collier-Monty

Evalia Mattingly

Zoe Sepulveda

Lauren Davis

Dontray McAster-Kinsey

Michael Sistrunk

Egypt Days

Jaeceon McClain

Michael St. Morgan

Alaiya Ditumbule

Livitcus Meadows

Isaiah Stewart

Ransom Evans IV

Zion Meadows

Patriya Stewart

Jaedyn Fields-Griffin

Jaylon Montaque

Abigail Sun

DeWight Fisher

Qristopher Montgomery

Thomas Sun

Armonie Fisher

Brady Moskal

Jayla Temple

Yusuf Gamil

Amora Murphy

Jaymere Temple

Reagan Graiten

Gianni Neves

Jaymarya Temple

Ja’Leesiya Hall

Kaden Nickens

Kayla Thomas

Jamarion Hall

Ethan Oakes

Kahmel Tucker

Jolon Hall

Autumn Fitch Orr

Jayden Walburger

Jahsai Huggins

Mason Pace

Glen White

Royal Jones

Payton Perry

Eli Withers

Ava Kinsey-Mack

Dominic Tyler Pizarro

Malia Works

Jamela Lanier

T’kieren Ramos

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

2021

Syracuse City School District Luke Leidka Sam's Barbershop Onondaga County District Attorney's Office

2022

Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter

Delivery of gifts from Sam’s Barbershop and Luke Leidka

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

Kids, Cops, & Communities Presented to law enforcement representatives that have provided explemary participation and leadership essential to PAL’s success.

2021

2022

Onondaga County

Syracuse Police Department

Probation Department

Det. Dawn Daly

PO Linda Betts

Ofc. Austin Bush

PO Paul Dickens

Ofc. Nikki Hendrix

PO Sonialys Dussing

Ofc. Nadia Diaz

PO Nate Brown

Ofc. Kristen Hughes

Supv. Michelle Millender

Sgt. Thomas Blake

DeWitt Police Department

Deputy Chief Julie Shulsky

Ofc. Edward Mason

Chief Joseph Cecile

Chief Chase Bilodeau

Syracuse University Department

City of Syracuse Attorney

of Public Safety

Amanda Harrington

Ofc. Joseph Dishaw

Syracuse Police Department

Haven Jiu Jitsu

Deputy Chief Mark Rusin

Ben Tallini

First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff New York State Police Captain William Ramsing

Department 2022 Fun with METS 5 | Syracuse PAL Inaugural Awards Ceremony

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SEED

2021

#Playball Award Recognition 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.

In partnership with US Conference of Mayors Danny Leidka

Nottingham High School Girls

Adam Weitsman

Varsity Softball Program

Jim DeSantis

Major League Baseball (MLB)

Alton Hicks

10 Less Incorporated

Joseph Torrillo

Syracuse Mets

Alex Minnoe Yenzer Perez Alfonzo Whitehurst Ruthnie Angrand New York State Senator

First Program First Tee Syracuse On The One | Jasmine Coan

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John Mannion Chris Luechung Clinton Jackson Lisa Sacco Michael Greene

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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)

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