Underwriting support from:
2010 graduates: (l. to r.) Maria Davis, Charles Archie, Courtney Hamilton, Phillip Nguyen, and Kevin Davis
On Monday night, June 7th, Heart of West Michigan United Way graduated the students of the 2010 Project Blueprint class. Forty-two talented men and women, representing a wide range of backgrounds and career fields, accepted their diplomas and the call to serve their community.
The 2010 class joins the 711 other graduates of the Blueprint program since its inception in 1988. Many of the past graduates were on hand to celebrate with the new class and share their stories of commitment and success in serving.
Featured speaker Mursalata Muhammad, a 2006 Blueprint graduate, provided a call to action to, reminding the graduates that their ‘real’ work would begin when they joined a nonprofit board and inspiring them to choose commitments carefully and follow their passions. Her powerful speech also included an appeal to the children of the graduates, saying that they would be called upon to follow in their parent’s footsteps and become engaged in serving their community.
The evening also featured the inaugural Debra Holmes-Garrison “Champions of Diversity” awards which honor the significant difference made in promoting racial harmony and inclusiveness in West Michigan.
The winners were:
Non-profit Award: Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Youth Award: Darilynn Calhoun-Hammond, Senior at East Kentwood High School
Our congratulations go out to the 2010 Blueprint graduates and the Champions of Diversity award winners. May each of you find much satisfaction and fulfillment as you serve!
Disclosure: United Way’s Project Blueprint is a leadership development program that aims to increase the number of professionals of color providing leadership in local health, government and human services organizations.
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