by guest contributor Janet Staihar
Photo credit: Michael Bennett Kress Photography
Gen. Colin Powell (retired) and Mrs. Alma Powell went onto a splendidly lit stage last week to present 2016 Promise of America Awards to some of the country’s most remarkable people: basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Target CEO Brian Cornell, PBS’s CEO Patricia de Stacy Harrison and Dr. Angela Diaz, director of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.
Magic noted that his presenters are themselves outstanding doers. In his remarks at Howard Theatre last week, Magic, whose exploits with Michigan State and the Los Angeles Lakers awed fans, said he was awed to be in the company of Mrs. Powell, who has gathered many honors for her works to advance education and the welfare of young people.
E. Bruce Harrison, Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Alma Powel, General Powell
“Mrs. Powell has gotten so many awards that I have to go home and tell my wife Cookie that she has to step up her game,” Johnson laughed.
Mrs. Powell is the organization’s chair. Gen. Powell is founding chair.
Mrs. Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, remembered how her grandfather valued education. She said he came from Italy at age 15, and later was a barber by profession. “He would always tell young people: “Don’t be stupid, Stay in school.”
Magic Johnson, Alma Powell, General Powell
While accepting his Promise Night award, Magic Johnson said he was so moved with the organization, which is dedicated to the education of young people, that he is personally writing out a check for $100,000. His extensive work as chairman and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation to benefit children includes the Taylor Michaels Scholarship, now supporting 160 students, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs, and community empowerment centers.
Colin Powell noted that a video shown at the event and produced by America’s Promise Alliance highlighting Mrs. Harrison’s career, featured a young girl in the role of a growing-up Mrs. Harrison. “If you think the young woman in the video bears a striking resemblance to Pat, you’re not wrong – that was Pat’s granddaughter, Skylar Spain.”
Magic Johnson, Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Alma Powell, General Powell, Brian Cornell
Mrs. Harrison initiated American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen, a nationwide public media initiative to help communities across the country identify and implement solutions to the high school dropout crisis. To date, 128 stations in more than 40 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, are working with more than 1,400 local partners and schools to encourage students to stay on track to graduation.
Honoree Dr. Angela Diaz, director of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in New York City, recalled her own troubled childhood and how she overcame depression. She went on to pull herself upward and now heads the largest adolescent health centers in the United States. It provides free service to more than 10,000 primarily low income young people each year.
Dr. Angela Diaz, Alma Powell and General Powell
“Angela has dedicated her career to helping young people experience the promises of safe places and a healthy start,” said Mrs. Powell.
In paying tribute to honoree Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, Mrs. Powell said: “For decades Target has been giving 5 percent of its income – now about $4 million per week – to communities and to organizations that help young people.
In the past few years, we’ve worked with Target on major research that has helped us understand why students leave high school without graduating – and what we can do to stop them leaving.
“Brian is now leading the transformation of a corporation that is a cornerstone of many communities around the country. But one thing that isn’t changing is Target’s commitment to youngsters.”
Mrs. Powell also recognized Dr. Mary Johnson, a math teacher who mentors at the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation. She said Dr. Johnson has developed a diagnostic test that she believes can identify specific gaps in students’ math knowledge in only minutes. “Dr. Johnson, on behalf of America’s Promise, I want to formally recognize you as a Promise Hero, and let you know we’re donating $5,00 to the foundation to further your work.”
America’s Promise Alliance leads the nation’s largest network of national organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. GradNation, the organization’s signature campaign, mobilizes Americans to increase the on-time high school graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020 and prepare young people for post-secondary enrollment and the workforce.
