Dada Rafiki Honorees Homepage

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	Return Home 2006 Dada Rafiki honorees describe what brings fulfillment in what they do...
	Mary Lu Aft Community Volunteer “I am fulfilled when the volunteers with whom I work not only take pride but take ownership for our work.”
	Karen Bankston, Ph.D. CEO, Drake Center, Inc. “I am most fulfilled when I see relationships that have formed because of my bringing the individuals together to meet a common goal or vision. That to me is success!”
	Rosa E. Blackwell Superintendent, Cincinnati Public Schools “For more than 30 years, I have devoted my career to the education of children in our city. Education is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves, our children and our community. My greatest fulfillment is to experience the power of learning overcoming the so-called societal barriers of class, ethnic background or disability. All children truly can learn, and, when they do, hope and a world of possibilities light up their lives.”
	Barbara J. Bonifas Chief Executive Officer, Great Rivers Girl Scout Council “Ability to make systemic changes. Opportunity to create an environment for girls in which they develop skills and get real life practice in teamwork, decision-making, service, and leadership.”
	Officer Princess Davis Cincinnati Police Department “As a Police Officer, I find fulfillment in meeting the meeting the need of others and I find joy in serving my Senior Citizens.”
	P. Ann Everson-Price Minister, Radio Personality, Business Owner, Actress & Entertainer “As director of the Super Choir I mentor over 50 young people each week—Each week. I speak “life” to thousands over the air waves. As an entertainer, I share my passion for music and for a few hours—bring unity—and show love through music…Never give up on Love”
	Marcheta Lee Gillam, Esq. Senior Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati “The most rewarding dimension of my job is to work alongside my clients, usually women of color, to build more democracy in our low-income communities. Women are the natural leaders and builders of democracy and it is a privilege to play a part in this campaign.”
	Bennyce E. Hamilton Fire Fighter/Paramedic & Professor, Cincinnati Fire Department and Cincinnati State Technical & Community College “I get fulfilled when I have the opportunity to help someone in need and when a student ‘gets it’! There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back to those who gave to you.”
	Betti J. Hinton President, Families Forward “Bringing together and uniting students, parents, schools, and communities to improve academic achievement and personal growth. Finding grants to provide music and arts for youth.”
	Daisy Mae Johnson Founder & Executive Director, Rescue Community Center “Knowing that I’m fulfilling the perfect will of God and helping people that are unable to help themselves fulfill destiny and purpose.”
	Angelita M. Jones CEO, A Lucky Step Fine Furnishings and Eastern Personnel Services, Inc. “The most fulfilling part of what I do is knowing that I’m able to help others whether it is helping someone with finding employment, getting more job satisfaction, or beautifying their home by assisting with color selections, furniture, etc.”
	Sandra M. Jones Co-Founder & Executive Director, SO-ACT, Serving Older Adults Through Changing Times “Advocating for senior citizens and their families so they can navigate through the system. Creating aging well techniques and encouraging families to be proactive.”
	Darlene Green Kamine, J.D. Attorney “My life’s work has been devoted to improving the quality of life and opportunity for children. After 18 years as a magistrate hearing cases of abuse, neglect and dependency, I have been working to redevelop our public schools as community learning centers to ensure that all children have the opportunity for the kind of education each of us would want for our own child.”
	Leslie Siegel Kreines Chairperson, Voices of the Future: A Conference for Youth and Freedom “For 15 years I have been bringing high school students together at a conference from diverse walks of life to deal with racism and confront societal issues important to adolescents.”
	Rochelle Cooper Morton Director, YMCA's Cincy Afterschool Network “Fulfillment in life for me comes from knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of those individuals who have crossed my path.”
	Kimya Moyo Educator & Founder, Sankofa Educational Enrichment Program “I am an educator who seeks to refine and reproduce the best within one. I am at my height when students (young & old) do as much as they can in their own unique way to develop a more beautiful and beneficial environment/living space/world.”
	Eileen Cooper Reed Vice-President, Cincinnati Public School Board of Education “Children, children, children are what I do. My absolute passion is for their well being. My vision is to see them thriving in this community, state, nation, and planet.”
	Gwen L. Robinson President/CEO, Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency “I work in the most exciting field of Human Service Administration. This job affords me the opportunity to provide opportunities that aide in the strengthening of families.”
	Victoria L. Straughn Community Advocate and Independent HIV/AIDS Educator “My field of work has always been serving those who are less fortunate than me. Having the ability or gift to help people become empowered through a variety of acts is a humbling experience, i.e. mentoring, educating, protesting, agitating and advocating. To say something kind to someone but always when necessary speak truth to power.”
	Judith Van Ginkel, Ph.D. President, Every Child Succeeds “Knowing that our work truly makes a difference in the lives of thousands of girls, women and infants. We have proven that our program works.”
	Charlene Ventura President & CEO, YWCA of Greater Cincinnati “I have been fortunate to have my avocation be my vocation—the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women and the elimination of racism is my personal creed.”
	Yolanda Webb President/CEO, E'LON LLC “Beauty is a lifestyle that comes through joy, peace and community giving. I believe in the power of hope and responsibility in our everyday lives when we reach out and give back.”