ATTENTION: ON JULY 13TH AT THE ASTER EVENT CENTER FROM 5-11 PM THE VILLAGE OF EMPOWERMENT 3RD ANNUAL HONOR AWARDS WILL BE HONORING SUPERPOWERS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY. THE VILLAGE OF EMPOWERMENT WELCOMES THE COMMUNITY TO PLEASE HELP US CELEBRATE AND HONOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN FOR EXEMPLIFYING THEIR SUPERPOWERS!! THIS YEAR WE ARE CELEBRATING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE! LEADERS WHO ALIGN THEIR LIVES WITH COMMUNITY PURPOSEFUL INTENTIONS. CONGRATULATION SUPER POWERS!! WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EACH AWARD RECIPIENT WHO CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATE THEIR VALUES BY MODELING ACTION, INNOVATION TENACITY, AND INSPIRATION FOR OTHERS TO EMULATE FROM THEIR STORIES, AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. BE INSPIRED AND MOVED BY AMBITION, DETERMINATION, CULTIVATION, COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY. WITNESS THE STORIES OF STRENGTH, PRESERVERANCE, PURPOSE AND SUPER POWER IN ACTION!!

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF EMPOWERMENT 3RD ANNUAL WOMEN HONORS AWARDS! THE VISION , THE VILLAGE, THE VIRTUE. JOIN US ON JULY 13, 2025 FROM 5PM-11 PM AT THE ASTER EVENT CENTER IN THE HYATT PLACE ALLENTOWN / LEHIGH VALLEY FOR A ELEGANT NIGHT DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING AND RECOGNIZING THE INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN AND MEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IN-PERSON EVENT PROMISES TO BE A NIGHT FILLED WITH INSPIRATION, EMPOWERMENT AND PURPOSE. DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR AND UPLIFT THE WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AND BE A PART OF THIS UNFORGETTABLE EVENING . WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR GUEST SPEAKER JUDGE RASHID SANTIAGO, SAXOPHONE JAZZ BY JUSTIN MATHIS, DANCE, SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE ELEGANT DECOR, DINNER, DJ , AND RAFFLES. ALL ARE WELCOME

TICKETS ARE $70 EACH ON EVENTBRITEhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-village-of-empowerment-3rd-annual-women-honors-award-s-tickets-1304998990109?aff=efbevent&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQmVqdzEyVGl1UHJKTkpWTQEeyJIe-V7-134kg1ic1mu8VmaBFZAuSP-mymySwLr6bo6txwHyw5rjcI9tkw0_aem_p5XZrLuJ95z18J80MMlBEg

CHARLES ROCKMORE- THE LEGACY LEADERSHIP AWARD WHEN THE BALL OF PREPARATION MAKES IT RAIN IN THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WALL OF SUCCESS, A LEGACY IS CREATED.

WALL2WALL: THE LIFE AND HUSTLE OF CHARLES M. ROCKMORE

CHARLES M. ROCKMORE, FOUNDER OF THE 5-STAR RATED WALL2WALL PEST CONTROL SERVICES. WAS BORN IN SANFORD, FLORIDA AND RAISED IN THE RIVERVIEW TERRACE SECTION OF THE HART COMMUNITY. I’M A PROUD GRADUATE OF DIERUFF HIGH SCHOOL (1985) AND ALLENTOWN BUSINESS SCHOOL . GROWING UP CHARLES ( CHUCK) ROCKMORE BELIEVED IN CREATING SOMETHING WITH MEANINGFUL CHANGE AND IMPACT THAT SERVES A GREATER PURPOSE. DEEPLY SHAPED BY THE STRENGTH OF MY MOTHER AND THE MENTORSHIP OF MY YOUTH BASEBALL COACH, BOB ALDINGER. BEFORE LAUNCHING MY OWN COMPANY, I DEDICATED 15 YEARS TO THE CHILDREN’S HOME OF EASTON, WHERE I WORKED WITH AT-RISK YOUTH, DEVELOPING THE VALUES OF PATIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE. FOR CHUCK RERESHAPING THE FUTURE OF HIS YOUTH WITH COURAGE, CREATIVITY, AND RELENTLESS PASSION. IN TIME. CHUCK TURNED HIS VISION INTO REALITY, FOUNDING WALL2WALL PEST CONTROL SERVICES, A COMPANY BUILT ON PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY, AND RESULTS — NOW RECOGNIZED AS A 5-STAR LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY. BEYOND BUSINESS, CHUCK . SHOWCASED RESILIENCE, CREATIVITY, AND INNOVATIVE COACHING, AND HIS LOVE OF BASKETBALL AS AN IMPRESSIVE SUCCESSFUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY. HE SPENT OVER 20 YEARS MENTORING YOUTH THROUGH BASKETBALL PROGRAMS. I CURRENTLY LEAD THE AVERAGEJOE’S ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGUE, WHILE ACTIVELY SPONSORING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. FROM THE COURT TO THE COMMUNITY, FROM FOUNDATION TO FINISH, I LIVE BY THE MOTTO: “YOU DON’T NEED PERMISSION TO BE GREAT — JUST PURPOSE, AND THE WILL TO SEE IT THROUGH.” STRENGTHEN THEIR IMPACT AND INSPIRE

YOUNG PEOPLE. IT’S MEASURED IN THE LIVES YOU TOUCH, THE CHANGES YOU INSPIRE, AND THE LEGACY YOU LEAVE BEHIND. THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD RECOGNIZES THE “BUILDERS OF TOMORROW”—THE VISIONARY ENTREPRENEURS, BRANDS, AND COMPANIES WHOSE IMPACT WILL CONTINUE TO SHAPE THE WORLD FOR YEARS TO COME.

CHUCK ROCKMORE CONTINUES TO BE A LEGACY MAKER BY IMPLEMENTING HIS LONG HISTORY OF INSPIRATIONAL TRANSFORMATIVE VALUED WISDOM AND LESSONS WHICH WILL REMAIN RELEVANT ACROSS GENERATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. HIS INITIATIVES NOT ONLY CHAMPION SUSTAINABILITY BUT ALSO PAVE THE WAY FOR OTHERS TO CREATE A POSITIVE, LASTING IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. CHUCK’S LEADERSHIP GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SUPPORT, UPLIFT, AND MAKE A MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE IN HIS COMMUNITY, EMBODYING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED BUSINESS.

CHUCK ROCKMORE IS A VISIONARY LEADER WHO SETS THE HIGHEST STANDARD FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND UNWAVERING INTEGRITY. CHUCK’S LEGACY HIGHLIGHTS HIS COMPELLING VISION, CONSISTENCY, AND INSPIRATION, IN CREATING A MEANINGFUL, LASTING IMPACT ON AND OFF THE COURT IN HIS COMMUNITY, AND BEYOND. .RECOGNIZING CHUCK WITH THE LEGACY AWARD IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS MOTHER, COMMUNITY , COMMITMENT , ENTREPRENEURIAL GRIT, FORWARD-THINKING , AND PURPOSE- DRIVEN APPROACH THAT IS DRIVING REMARKABLE INNOVATION, PIONEERING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS, AND CHALLENGES. CHUCK ROCKMORE YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

GLORIA DOMINA- DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

WHEN THE POETRY OF A PHENOMENAL WOMAN MEETS THE MUSIC OF MOSARK

YOU WILL THINK OF GLORIA DOMINA. GLORIA IS AN EXCEPTIONAL TRANSCENDING WALKING ESSENCE OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY GIVEBACK. GLORIA DOMINA IS A GRAMMY WINNING PRODUCER AND NOMINATED SUPPORTING ARTIST IN SPOKEN WORD 2013 AND BLUES 2024. GLORIA HAS WON NUMEROUS STATE, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR HER WORK. SHE IS NOW AND FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS A GRAMMY U MENTOR A VOLUNTEER LIAISON & DISTRICT ADVOCATE. SHE IS CURRENTLY ON THE GRAMMY BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER 2024-2027 & ADVOCACY BOARD MEMBERS. FOR 20 YEARS SHE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC AWARDS AND THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC ASSOCIATION, AND IS CURRENTLY AN ADVISOR FOR THE ABE MUSIC AWARDS. SHE HAS SET ON THE BOARD OF NUMEROUS NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS. SHE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED 3 TIMES REGIONALLY AS WOMAN OF THE YEAR AND 1 TIME NATIONALLY FOR HER DEDICATION TO MUSIC AND ART AND BRINGING AWARENESS TO ANTI DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANTI- BULLYING. IN 2017 SHE WAS PA.STATE VISUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR. HER DEDICATION TO HELPING BRING POSITIVE CHANGE AND MENTORING YOUTH THROUGH MUSIC AND ART IS HER DRIVING FORCE. SHE IS COMMUNITY MINDED AND DEDICATED TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITY A SAFER PLACE WHILE ALSO BRINGING THE ARTS TO THOSE SEEKING IT. BRINGING ABOUT A POSITIVE CHANGE TO OUR HOMES OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WORLD IS HIGH ON HER AGENDA. GLORIA LIVES IN BETHLEHEM , PA. AND TEMPORARILY SHARES HER TIME IN DE GOING BACK AND FORTH. SHE IS AN ADVOCATE FOR ANTI DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ANTI BULLYING AND IS VERY INVOLVED IN DEI AWARENESS GROUPS. THROUGH OUT THE PAST 35 YEARS SHE HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN NEED, HUNDREDS OF MUSICIANS AND DOZENS OF ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH HER EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS RAISING MONEY, FOOD, FURNITURE , AND OBTAINING SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED. GLORIA DOMINA IS A SUPERPOWER!!

KETSIA FELIX- COMMUNITY DEDICATION AWARD THE WORDS CHOSEN AND COMMITTED ARE WORDS I WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE KETSIA.

KETSIA EXEMPLIFIES TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE THROUGH HER ACTIONS IN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP BY CREATING AND CHANGING THE NARRATIVE FROM YOUR PROBLEMS TO OUR SOLUTION. PASTOR KETSIA FELIX IS CO-PASTOR OF NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF GOD IN ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, A MINISTRY SHE AND HER HUSBAND PLANTED OVER 10 YEARS AGO. WITH OVER TWO DECADES OF MINISTRY EXPERIENCE, PASTOR KETSIA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT EMPOWERING WOMEN, MENTORING TEEN GIRLS, AND SUPPORTING SINGLE PARENTS. SHE ACTIVELY NURTURES SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND RESILIENCE IN HER COMMUNITY, HELPING INDIVIDUALS DISCOVER THEIR PURPOSE AND WALK IN FAITH. IN ADDITION TO HER PASTORAL WORK, PASTOR KETSIA APPLIES HER LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT, WHERE SHE LEADS WITH VISION AND COMPASSION. HER COMBINED MINISTRY AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ENABLE HER TO ADDRESS BOTH SPIRITUAL AND PRACTICAL NEEDS EFFECTIVELY. SHE AND THE CHURCH LIVE BY THE MISSION TO “LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS, MAKE DISCIPLES, AND BE THE CHURCH,” WHICH GUIDES HER DAILY MINISTRY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. KETSIA YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

ALICIA J. VANDERSLUIS – ARTIST, VETERAN, BUSINESS LEADER -CULTIVATING CREATOR AWARD CREATIVITY IS NOT JUST AN EXPRESSION IT IS A CIVIL RIGHT

CREATIVE EXPRESSION ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ALICIA , SHE HAS ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED THE BOUNDARIES OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. ALICIA J. VANDERSLUIS IS A U.S. ARMY VETERAN, BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL, AND LIFELONG ARTIST. SHE HOLDS AN MBA AND HAS PURSUED DOCTORAL STUDIES, BLENDING HER PASSION FOR LEADERSHIP, CREATIVITY, AND SERVICE THROUGHOUT HER CAREER. WITH A BACKGROUND IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT. SHE EXEMPLIFIED THROUGH DARING LEADERSHIP, INNOVATIVE VIEWPOINTS, AND GENERATIVE PROGRESS, AWARD WINNER LEADERSHIP. DEMONSTRATING THROUGH HER CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTIVATING A BEAUTIFUL, THOUGHTFUL, AND MORE PASSIONATE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS ALICIA HAS FOUND PEACE WITH THE NATURAL WORLD. ALICIA HAS HELPED ORGANIZATIONS GROW WITH INNOVATION AND HEART. IN ADDITION TO HER BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ALICIA IS AN ACCOMPLISHED VISUAL ARTIST, WORKING PRIMARILY IN LARGE-SCALE ABSTRACT AND CONTINUOUS LINE ART. SHE FINDS INSPIRATION IN NATURE, STORYTELLING, AND THE BEAUTY OF EVERYDAY LIFE, CREATING PIECES THAT REFLECT CONNECTION, ENERGY, AND FREEDOM. DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE, ALICIA SERVED ON THE BOARD OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE BOARD OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH, WHERE SHE ADVOCATED FOR INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE WELL-BEING, ENGAGEMENT, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL GENERATIONS. SHE IS ALSO A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR BREAK THE SILENCE, ENCOURAGING WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABUSE AND FIND THEIR VOICES. ALICIA BELIEVES IN BUILDING COMMUNITIES WHERE CREATIVITY, EMPOWERMENT, AND AUTHENTICITY ARE CELEBRATED. THROUGH HER WORK AND PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY, SHE ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO PURSUE THEIR PASSIONS BOLDLY AND TO LIVE LIVES ROOTED IN PURPOSE AND JOY. ALICIA VANDERSLUIS YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

LASHINA RIDDICK ( SHEENA CUSINES) PROFESSIONAL PERSEVERANCE AWARD

INSPIRING FOODS THAT SPEAK IN BI-LINGUAL FLAVORS SHEENA RIDDICK-

FOR LASHINA COOKING WAS A WAY TO EXPRESS HER IDENTITY AND SELF-IMAGE.. KNOWN FOR BEING A SILENT POWER AND SHY AMONG OTHERS LASHINA’S CREATIVE GIFTS OF CULINARY CULTIVATION WOULD LOUDLY SHAKE TABLES. TAKING HER LOVE FOR FOOD, AND COMMUNITY INNOVATION TO CREATE UNIQUE FLAVOR COMBINATIONS, EXPERIMENTING WITH NEW TECHNIQUES, OR REINTERPRETING TRADITIONAL DISHES. LASHINA CONTINUES TO USE COOKING AS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR PERSONAL GROWTH, CONNECTION, AND FOSTERING WELL-BEING, MAKING IT A TRULY REWARDING AND JOYFUL JOURNEY IN HER NEW BUSINESS SHEENA CUISINE

MY NAME IS LASHINA RIDDICK

I’M A CHEF WITH 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. BORN AND RAISED IN ALLENTOWN, PA. IT’S WHERE I HONED MY SKILLS AND LOVE FOR CULINARY ARTS. I DISCOVERED MY PASSION FOR FOOD EARLY ON AND HAVE SPENT MY CAREER PERFECTING THE ART OF COOKING AND HOSPITALITY. I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SHARING MY LOVE FOR BOLD FLAVORS AND BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED DISHES. I’M THE PROUD OWNER OF SHEEN’S CUISINE CATERING KNOWN FOR ITS NEW WAVE AMERICAN CUISINE WITH VIBRANT FLAVORS. I AM SERVSAFE CERTIFIED AND COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN FOOD SAFETY AND PREPARATION. FOR ME, COOKING IS MORE THAN JUST A PROFESSION IT’S A LIFELONG JOURNEY OF CREATIVITY, .CONNECTION AND JOY KITCHEN IS A CANVAS FOR EXPERIMENTATION AND SELF-EXPRESSION. YOU CAN EXPLORE NEW FLAVORS, TEXTURES, AND PRESENTATIONS, ADAPTING RECIPES OR CREATING YOUR OWN UNIQUE DISHES KITCHEN IS MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO PREPARE MEALS—IT IS A CHEF’S SANCTUARY, WHERE FLAMES IGNITE CREATIVITY, AROMAS TELL STORIES, AND EVERY DISH CARRIES A DEEPER MEANING. FOR ME, COOKING IS NOT JUST A PROFESSION; IT IS AN UNSHAKABLE PASSION THAT HAS SHAPED MY IDENTITY. EACH INGREDIENT HOLDS POTENTIAL, EVERY TECHNIQUE REFINES ARTISTRY, AND EVERY PLATE SERVES AS A CANVAS WHERE CULINARY MAGIC UNFOLDS. LASHINA RIDDICK IS A SUPERPOWER!!

ELIZABETH STRONG- CATALYST FOR CHANGE AWARD

ELIZABETH STRONG IS A RECKONING BALL AND SHE IS COMMITTED TO CONQUERING ALL.

ELIZABETH’S INVALUABLE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY IS UNDENIABLE. ELIZABETH HAS A LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND THROUGH ADVOCAY, POLITICS, BEAUTY, AND KINSHIP. THROUGH PROGRESS AND POWERFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AROUND LEHIGH VALLEY AND BEYOND. ELIZABETH STRONG, A NATIVE OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, IS A HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED HAIRSTYLIST, MASTER COLORIST, CELEBRITY STYLIST, MAKEUP ARTIST, ENTREPRENEUR AND SALON OWNER. WITH AN IMPRESSIVE CAREER IN BEAUTY THAT SPANS OVER TWO DECADES, ELIZABETH RECENTLY CELEBRATED A MILESTONE IN HER CAREER, THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF HER SALON, ELIZABETH ANTHONY’S SALON, A MULTICULTURAL,

FULL SERVICE SALON IN ALLENTOWN PENNSYLVANIA! ELIZABETH IS A GRADUATE OF EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOL IN WHITEHALL, PENNSYLVANIA WHERE SHE STILL SERVES AS A GUEST SPEAKER AND ON THEIR ADVISORY PANEL. SHE IS THE CEO OF STRONG BEAUTY BOSS, A BRAND DEDICATED TO ALL THINGS BEAUTY AND EMPOWERMENT, AND THE BOSS BABES BRUNCH, AN ANNUAL WOMEN’S EVENT DESIGNED TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER WOMEN.

ELIZABETH HAS A HEART FOR HER COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE IN IT! SHE SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN LEHIGH VALLEY AND HER SALON IS A COMMUNITY PARTNER WITH BUILDING 21 PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN ALLENTOWN. IN ADDITION, SHE PARTNERS WITH THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL PRESERVATION. HER OUTREACH ALSO EXTENDS OVERSEAS TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND CENTRAL AMERICA, WHERE SHE WORKS WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT FOCUS ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S NEEDS AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT. ELIZABETH IS ALSO A PAST RECIPIENT OF THE GOLDEN LATIN AWARD FOR SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR! SHE ENJOYS VOLUNTEERING AND MENTORING AND IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, FINDING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND DEVELOPING SELF- LOVE WHILE LIVING OUT THEIR PURPOSE

IN 2017 SHE ADDED A MOVIE CREDIT TO HER RESUME WITH THE FILM “GETTING GRACE”, FILMED IN HER HOMETOWN OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA. IN 2018 SHE BECAME THE RECIPIENT OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY GOLDEN LATIN AWARD FOR SALON OF THE YEAR! ELIZABETH HAS BEEN NAMED A “WOMAN OF STYLE”BY LEHIGH VALLEY STYLE MAGAZINE AND IN 2019/2020 ELIZABETH HAD THE HONOR OF BEING ON THE COVER OF MUJER LEHIGH VALLEY LA REVISTA, A SPANISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE THAT INSPIRES AND EDUCATES THE LATINA COMMUNITY!

IN 2021 ELIZABETH LAUNCHED A PROFESSIONAL, CUSTOM MAKE UP BRUSH COLLECTION ESTRONG BEAUTY, A BUSINESS SHE STARTED DURING THE 2020 COVID LOCKDOWN. SHE IS ALSO

AN ADVOCATE FOR HER INDUSTRY, IN FEBRUARY 2023 ELIZABETH HAD THE DISTINCT HONOR OF JOINING PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO AS HE SIGNED A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER UPDATING LICENSING PROCEDURES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

SHE NOW SERVES AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COMMISSION OF LATINO AFFAIRS REPRESENTING HER CITY, ALLENTOWN, THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH! ELIZABETH STRONG YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

DEBBIE MORALES- EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN AWARD WOMAN IN THE COMPASSION OF SOCIAL ACTION. HER ACTIONS WERE LOUDER THAN THEIR VOICE

DEBRA’S FOUNDATION WAS NOTED AND EMBEDDED IN HER FAMILY VALUES, BELIEFS, DISCIPLINE AND HISPANIC CULTURE. AND ULTRA INVITING SMILE AND SPIRIT. THROUGHOUT HER LIFE DEBBIE HAS ALWAYS DEMONSTRATED STRENGTH IN HER CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY; A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WITH THE DETERMINATION AND DRIVE TO WIN; AND AN UNQUESTIONABLE DEDICATION SHE CONTINUES TO SMILE AND CHANNEL HER PASSION AND RESILIENCE INTO HELPING OTHERS INNERSELF. HER WORK IS GROUNDED IN A CLEAR COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND JUSTICE FOR HER SON AND INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHERE SHE FOCUSES ON ACHIEVING THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES FOR THEM. DEBRA PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT DEBBIE CONTINUES TO ACHIEVE EQUAL MEASURES OF SUCCESS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ADVOCATING FOR HER SON AND OTHERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. ACCOMPLISHED AND INSPIRATIONAL DEBRA’S ABILITY TO LEAD OTHERS TO ACHIEVE EQUAL MEASURES OF SUCCESS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. DEBRA MORALES IS A SUPERPOWER!!

MILAGROS CANALES- WOMAN OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

WHEN DOORS CLOSED SHE KICKED THEM OPEN

MILAGROS CANALES IS A PROMINENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY, DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ITS RESIDENTS. DEMONSTRATING VALUES BY MODELING ACTION, INNOVATION TENACITY IN PURSUING HER PASSIONS . MILAGROS IS NOT AFRAID TO FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE WHEN DOORS CLOSE SHE KICKS THEM OPEN. HER COMMUNITY SERVICE SPANS SEVERAL INITIATIVES, INCLUDING HER ROLE AS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF “GAMES FOR GUNZ,” A PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER 2022 THAT AIMS TO GET GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF TEENAGERS BY OFFERING VIDEO GAME CONSOLES IN EXCHANGE FOR FIREARMS AND PROVIDING MENTORSHIP. EXEMPLIFY SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP WITH A DEEP COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING THEIR CAREER PATHS, POSITIVE LIVES , AS WELL AS IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITY. SHE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A BOARD MEMBER FOR PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS OF LEHIGH VALLEY, AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON CHILDHOOD SUCCESS. FURTHERMORE, CANALES IS INVOLVED WITH THE OLD FAIRGROUNDS NEIGHBORHOOD IN ALLENTOWN, ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT YOUTH CENTERS AND ADVOCATING FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. CANALES IS ALSO THE DIRECTOR OF THE JORDAN HEIGHTS BASKETBALL LEAGUE, AN INITIATIVE THAT EMPHASIZES BELONGING, LEADERSHIP, AND WELL-BEING FOR ALLENTOWN STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. THE LEAGUE STRIVES TO FOSTER A LIFELONG APPRECIATION FOR BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT THROUGH SPORTS. A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING ISSUES IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY, MILAGROS CANALES HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY LIAISON FOR STATE SENATOR NICK MILLER, WORKING WITH THE ALLENTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY TO OPEN DOORS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, CONTRIBUTING TO DISCUSSIONS ON COMMUNITY NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS. HER DEDICATION TO ADDRESSING HOUSING CONCERNS HIGHLIGHTS HER COMMITMENT TO CREATING STABLE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR RESIDENTS IN THE REGION. MILAGROS CANALES IS A SUPER POWER!!

 

OMAYRA ORTIZ- CREATIVE INNOVATION AWARD A PRESENCE OF A WOMAN IS ALWAYS VALUED WHEN SHE CREATES HER WORTH

COMING FROM A STRONG LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN IN HER FAMILY OMAYRA HAS ALWAYS HAD THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM EVERY NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE SPHERE IN HER LIFE. LEARNING FROM HER BEAUTIFUL MOTHER AT A YOUNG AGE THAT CARING, SHARING AND HELPING PEOPLE, FAMILY, FRIENDS WAS A PART OF BEING IN A COMMUNITY. OMAYRA CONTINUES TO BE THE BEAUTY ON A MAP THROUGH HER JOURNEY IN LIFE. OMAYRA WAS BORN IN THE BRONX, NY AND AT THE AGE OF 15 HER FAMILY MOVED TO ALLENTOWN. OMAYRA IS A PROUD DEDICATED MOTHER OF SEVEN WONDERFUL CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW ALL ADULTS FROM THE AGES OF 22 TO 34. SIX BOYS AND ONE GIRL. OMAYRA, ALSO HAS NINE BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN. OVER THE YEARS. THROUGH PAIN AND STRUGGLES, HER UPS AND THE DOWNS OMARA NEVER GAVE UP. THROUGH IT ALL. HER CONTINUED DETERMINATION, POSITIVE SPIRIT, FAITH IN GOD , AS WELL AS HER STRONG FAMILY. SUPPORT WITH CIRCUMFERENCE OF NATURAL SUPPORTS, FRIENDS , FAMILY AND HER FIANCE ABILITY TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVE HER GOALS. PERSISTENCE AND RESILIENCE WOULD DEMONSTRATE POWERFUL ACHIEVEMENTS AND NEW GOALS REFUSING TO GIVE UP ON HER DREAMS.. OMAYRA FINDS TRUE HAPPINESS AND COURAGE IN DEMONSTRATING HER EXCEPTIONAL CREATIVITY USING COLOR AND SELF-EXPRESSION TO CREATE CLOTHES THAT REPRESENT POSITIVITY AND HIP DESIGN. TODAY OMAYRA IS THE PROUD OWNER OF A NEW BUSINESS CALLED PEBBLES INC. LLC . HIGHLIGHTING HER EMERGING FASHION , DESIGN , TALENTS, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION. OMAYRA ACKNOWLEDGES THE UNPARALLELED ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXCEPTIONAL CREATIVITY IN THE REALM OF LUXURY. REDEFINE EXCELLENCE WITHIN A STORM. .HER STORY WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO BE VISIONARIES, TO CONTRIBUTE CONSISTENCY, WITH HIGH STANDARDS OF SOPHISTICATION, WITH A FREEDOM OF VOICE AND ELEGANCE FOR HER BRAND. PEBBLES INC LLC . OMAYRA’S STRENGTH, AND ACHIEVEMENTS IS A TESTAMENT TO HER MOTHER AND THE POWER OF HARD WORK, COMPASSION, AND DETERMINATION NO MATTER THE OBSTACLES OR THE PIVOT OF THE JOURNEY. DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF DETERMINATION AND THE ABILITY TO BREAK BARRIERS AND INSPIRE CHANGE.

I ALWAYS DREAMED OF STARTING MY OWN CLOTHING LINE ONE DAY . I PROMISED MYSELF THAT ONE DAY I WOULD OWN MY OWN CLOTHING LINE AND HERE I AM TODAY, THE PROUD OWNER OF PEBBLES INK LLC. MY BUSINESS, MY DREAM, MADE A REALITY BY HARD WORK AND A LOT OF PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF AND THE DREAMS THAT YOU HAVE. ITS NEVER TOO LATE! I AM DEDICATED TO INSPIRING AND UPLIFTING OTHERS, I AM A BIG ADVOCATE IN FOSTERING THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF WOMEN EVERYWHERE. I STRIVE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN ALL THE LIVES THAT I COME ACROSS. I WANT TO THANK THE VILLAGE OF EMPOWERMENT FOR NOMINATING ME! I AM TRULY HONORED. OMAYRA ORTIZ IS A SUPER POWER!!

BISHOP JUDE FELIX- INSPIRATIONAL LEADER AWARD WHEN YOU ARE CALLED FOR PURPOSEFUL DEVINE YOU SHALL DIVIDE

BISHOP JUDE FELIX IS THE LEAD PASTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF GOD IN ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. ALONGSIDE HIS WIFE, PASTOR KETSIA FELIX, HE PLANTED NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF GOD OVER 10 YEARS AGO WITH A VISION TO CREATE A VIBRANT, WELCOMING COMMUNITY CENTERED ON FAITH AND SERVICE. A LICENSED BISHOP WITH THE CHURCH OF GOD. BISHOP JUDE HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED IN EVERY AREA OF MINISTRY FOR OVER 20 YEARS..BISHOP JUDE FELIX EXEMPLIFIES COMMITMENT TO FAITH AND FREEDOM THROUGH LEADERSHIP IN HIS COMMUNITY. USING HIS PURPOSEFUL UNIQUE ABILITY TO COMBINE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP WITH GENUINE CARE FOR PEOPLE BISHOP JUDE EMBODIES SPIRITUALITY. JUDE FELIX IS NOT JUST A LEADER BUT A LEADER THAT LEADS WITH HIS HEART. HE HAS A REMARKABLE ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS, UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES OF PEOPLE IN HIS COMMUNITY AND CONGREGATION..

HIS PEOPLE-FIRST LEADERSHIP CREATES A CULTURE OF SUPPORT, COLLABORATION, AND EMPOWERMENT, ENABLING PEOPLE TO THRIVE WHILE STAYING CONNECTED TO THE NEW BEGINNINGS OVERALL SUCCESS. UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, THE CHURCH LIVES OUT ITS MISSION TO “LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS, MAKE DISCIPLES, AND BE THE CHURCH.” BISHOP FELIX IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND UPLIFTING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS SUCH AS FOOD DISTRIBUTION, FEEDING INITIATIVES, AND MENTORING YOUNG BOYS. HIS PASTORAL APPROACH COMBINES SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE WITH PRACTICAL SUPPORT, EMBODYING A MINISTRY WHERE FAITH IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH LOVE AND ACTION. DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP WITHIN HIS FAITH COMMUNITY AND INSPIRE OTHERS THROUGH HIS ACTIONS AND DEDICATION. THIS AWARD HIGHLIGHTS BISHOP JUDE FELIX AS AN INSPIRATIONAL LEADER WHO EMBODIES FAITH IN ACTION, EXHIBITS STRONG MORAL CHARACTER, AND CONTINUES TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN HIS COMMUNITIES. HE PROMOTES INTERFAITH AND UNDERSTANDING TO FOSTER SPIRITUAL GROWTH. JUDE FELIX YOU ARE A SUPER POWER!!

MIGUEL LOPEZ – COMMUNITY HEART AWARD–

A MAN OF FEW WORDS, BUT A HEART WITH LOUD COMMUNITY ACTIONS

MIGUEL LOPEZ IS OFTEN THE SILENT HELPER WITH A VOICEFUL ACTION . HE IS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITY, OFTEN IN AREAS LIKE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, REUNION EVENTS, AND VOLUNTEERISM. MIGUEL HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE HE WAS 14 FOR MANPOWER. MIGUEL’S EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR MANPOWER SINCE THE AGE OF 14 INSTILLED IN HIM A STRONG WORK ETHIC WHICH HELPED WITH HIS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOSTERING DISCIPLINE, TIME MANAGEMENT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. FRIENDSHIP AND BROTHERHOOD: MIGUEL CHERISHES HIS FRIENDSHIPS AND BROTHERHOOD IN HIGH VALUE.

LIVING BY THE MOTTO “GATHERING THE VILLAGE” GOAL: MIGUEL AIMS TO GATHER HIS COMMUNITY WHILE EVERYONE IS STILL PRESENT, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SPENDING TIME TOGETHER AND FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. NOT JUST AT FUNERALS.

MIGUEL LOPEZ CONTINUES TO HOST ANNUAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE UNITY, CONVERSATION, MEMORIES AND LAUGHTER . DEMONSTRATING LONG-TERM DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO T CAUSE. HIS COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP IS MOST EVIDENT IN HIS DESIRED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT WHEN NEEDED. CULTIVATING MUTUAL RESPECT. THROUGH HIS KIND HEART AND IMPACTFUL GIVING MIGUEL CONTINUES TO BE COMMITTED TO HARD WORK, PARTNERSHIPS, AND BUILDING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT PROPEL COMMUNITY-DRIVEN TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE ROOTED IN THE EQUITY OF BROTHERHOOD. EMPHASIZING THE COLLECTIVE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO LEAD WITH THEIR HEART. IF THERE IS A CAUSE, HE IS THE FIRST TO SHOW UP, RAISE HER HAND AND OPEN HIS HEART TO WHATEVER IS NEEDED ALWAYS PUTS SERVICE AT THE HEART OF EACH DECISION HE MAKES AS A LEADER.” MIGUEL LOPEZ YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

ANTHONY HARRIS-EXCEPTIONAL DREAM BUILDER AWARD IF DANCING WAS A MEDICINE ANTHONY’S GIFT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE PRESCRIPTION FOR A CURE.

ANTHONY HARRIS CHOOSES TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS EMPOWERING LESSONS AND USE THE FUEL ON HIS JOURNEY TO FUEL YOUR JOURNEY. ANTHONY TEACHES EVOLVING DISABILITIES, AS AN AT-RISK YOUTH ANTHONY TRANSFORMED HIS LIFE THROUGH DANCE. ANTHONY ESTABLISHED SOLO EXPRESSION TO OFFER A MODERN DANCE ENVIRONMENT THAT MERGES TRADITIONAL STUDIO STANDARDS WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED AND AT-RISK YOUTH .

TODAY ANTHONY OWNS SOLO EXPRESSION LOCATED IN EASTON, PA. WHERE YOUR SOUL DOES NOT HAVE DISABILITIES ANTHONY “SOLO” HARRIS IS A PIONEER IN THE INTERSECTION OF DANCE, MOVEMENT THERAPY, AND NEURODEVELOPMENT. AS THE OWNER OF SOLO EXPRESSION DANCE STUDIO AND CO-FOUNDER OF DANCE MOGUL MAGAZINE, HIS WORK EXTENDS FAR BEYOND CHOREOGRAPHY—IT IS A BREAKTHROUGH IN NEUROMOTOR REHABILITATION, COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT, AND SPIRITUAL HEALING. WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, ANTHONY HAS DEVELOPED MOVEMENT-BASED METHODOLOGIES THAT STIMULATE NEURORECEPTORS, ENHANCE BRAIN ACTIVITY, AND IMPROVE MEMORY FUNCTION. THROUGH HIGHLY SPECIALIZED DANCE THERAPY, HIS PROGRAMS STRENGTHEN NEURAL PATHWAYS, REFINE MOTOR COORDINATION, AND HEIGHTEN SPATIAL AWARENESS, MAKING A PROFOUND IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS OF ALL ABILITIES, FROM ASPIRING DANCERS TO THOSE SEEKING COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL REHABILITATION. ANTHONY’S APPROACH INTEGRATES PERCEPTION TRAINING, RHYTHM-BASED THERAPY, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, CREATING A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT ENHANCES COGNITIVE FUNCTION, EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, AND SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY. HIS WORK HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME NEUROLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS, REINFORCING THE IDEA THAT MOVEMENT IS NOT JUST AN ART—IT IS A SCIENCE OF HEALING. THROUGH SOLO EXPRESSION DANCE STUDIO, ANTHONY HAS GUIDED COUNTLESS STUDENTS, EMPOWERING THEM TO REACH NEW LEVELS OF SELF-AWARENESS, DISCIPLINE, AND MENTAL CLARITY. HIS ABILITY TO MERGE DANCE WITH COGNITIVE RECALIBRATION AND SPIRITUAL ALIGNMENT HAS TURNED HIS STUDIO INTO A HUB FOR HOLISTIC HEALING. AS A JERSEY CLUB HISTORIAN AND MENTOR, ANTHONY CONTINUES TO BRIDGE THE PAST WITH THE FUTURE, BLENDING CULTURAL PRESERVATION WITH GROUNDBREAKING THERAPEUTIC ADVANCEMENTS. HIS MISSION IS CLEAR: TO UNLOCK HUMAN POTENTIAL THROUGH MOVEMENT, PROVING THAT DANCE IS NOT JUST ABOUT STEPS—IT IS A POWERFUL CATALYST FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, EMOTIONAL RESTORATION, AND PERSONAL EVOLUTION. ANTHONY HARRIS IS A SUPER POWER!!

DARIAN COLBERT– ICONIC TRAILBLAZER AWARD FROM CORPORAL TO COHESIVE CONNECTION

GROWING UP IN ALLENTOWN DARIAN HAS ALWAYS PROMOTED , FRIENDSHIP, AND BROTHERHOOD. DARIAN INSTILLED RESPONSIBILITY, CHARACTER, AND SELF-DISCIPLINE IN OUR COMMUNITY ATTRACTING HIM TO THE JROTC PROGRAM AT DIREUFF HIGH SCHOOL IN ALLENTOWN WHICH PROVIDED DARIAN WITH NOT ONLY THE FUNDAMENTALS IN AIR AND SPACE, ,BUT IT LEAD HIM TO THE PATH OF JOINING THE SERVICE AFTER GRADUATION. DARIAN’S CHARITABLE GIFT OF PURPOSE IN HIS LEADERSHIP FOSTERED A COMMUNITY OF CHARISMATIC CONFIDENCE, MEANING, AND COMPASSION. HIS PIONEERING FOREFRONT OF CHANGE AND HIS GROUNDBREAKING , BOLD STRATEGIES, AND LEADERSHIP. CREATED A MORE PEACEFUL, EQUITABLE, AND SAFE COMMUNITY FOR ALL. IN 2009 DARIAN FOUNDED HIS NON– PROFIT COHESION, WHERE HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . COHESION WAS LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS IN UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH A TOP-NOTCH AFTER-SCHOOL COURSE IN CHARACTER EDUCATION HE HAS SERVED IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT WORK SINCE 1999. THROUGH THESE ROLES, HE HAS DEVELOPED PARTNERSHIPS WITH LEADERS IN UNIVERSITIES, THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. HE HAS TRAVELED THE WORLD IN SUPPORT OF INDIGENOUS LEADERS WORKING IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN GUATEMALA, HAITI, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, UGANDA, ZAMBIA, AND SOUTH AFRICA. AS A PASSIONATE MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, DARIAN INSPIRES INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ACTION TOWARD SUSTAINABLE CHANGE. HIS SPEECHES FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE, AND THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT, DRAWING FROM HIS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AND HAVE CREATED NEW PATHWAYS OR POSSIBILITIES FOR OTHERS TO ADVANCE.. COHESION IMPLEMENTS HOLISTIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY EMPOWERING YOUNG LEADERS AND FOSTERING RESIDENT-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS FOR THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS, OVER THE YEARS, SERVING AS VOLUNTEERS, PASTORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS COHESION HAS HELPED COUNTLESS TEENAGERS AND ADULTS THROUGH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PTAS, ALLENTOWN WEED AND SEED, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND JUVENILE PROBATION.

UTILIZING A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY WITH PURPOSE AND A DESIRE GROUNDED IN OUR SEVEN-POINT CURRICULUM, WE ENGAGE STUDENTS, PROFESSIONALS, AND CIVIC LEADERS IN INTERACTIVE SESSIONS THAT BUILD CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP. EACH EXPERIENCE IS ROOTED IN TRUST, RESPECT, AND PERSONAL GROWTH, OFFERING HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN SELF-AWARENESS, DEEPEN RELATIONSHIPS, AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS NEEDED TO CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFULLY TO THEIR COMMUNITIES BY INSTILLING A SENSE OF VALUE IN EVERY PERSON WE ENCOUNTER.

DARIAN CONTINUES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT, INNOVATIVE, AND IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS IN HIS COMMUNITY . RECENTLY DARIAN WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION, DARIAN WAS HONORED AS A RECIPIENT OF THE 2025 GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD FROM PBS39 IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY, CELEBRATING HIS IMPACT IN EMPOWERING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND FOSTERING LOCAL LEADERSHIP. FOR PUSHING BOUNDARIES, CREATING NEW PATHWAYS, AND LEAVING A LASTING POSITIVE INFLUENCE. DARIAN COLBERT YOU ARE A SUPER POWER!!

FELIX AGOSTO- LEADERSHIP AND PHILANTHROPY AWARD

FELIX IS A FLYING FORCE IN THE AIR AND ON THE LAND.

.FELIX HAS DEMONSTRATED BOTH EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT TO PHILANTHROPY. CHARITABLE GIVING, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND INSPIRING OTHERS TO ENGAGE IN PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS. FELIX AGOSTO IS A RETIRED US AIR FORCE SENIOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, AND THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE RISE UP EXPERIENCE (TRUE),MVP360 (MOTIVES, VALUES , PERSONALITY, AND HE JUST RECENTLY STARTED MVP360 MANAGEMENT LLC. RECOGNIZING AND UNDERSTANDING THE HARDSHIPS OF MILITARY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ENDURE FELIX STARTED HIS ORGANIZATION MYP360 AS A WAY TO FILL THE VOID LEFT BY THE RISE OF COMPETITIVE SPORTS. FELIX’S VISIONARY .CONCEPT WOULD GO BEYOND SPORTS HE WANTED TO HELP THE WHOLE PERSON. MVP” STANDS FOR MOTIVES, VALUES AND PERSONALITY. MOTIVES: WE BELIEVE IN UTILIZING MOTIVES AS A WAY TO GUIDE THEIR PATH TO SUCCESS. VALUES: UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS VALUED IN LIFE, IS WILL INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF MAINTAINING FOCUS THROUGH ADVERSITY. PERSONALITY: WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE “CHARACTER COUNTS” AND WE ARE JUDGED BY WHAT OTHERS SEE. PERSONALITY IS KEY TO ENSURING OTHERS PERCEPTION. 360: THE NUMBER 360 REPRESENTS A WELL-ROUNDED MINDSET IN WHICH WE PROMOTE EDUCATION, FITNESS, SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING .

FELIX ENVISIONED A LEADERSHIP FIRST MENTALITY AND A “TOGETHER WE CAN MENTALITY UTILIZING MILITARY, CIVILIAN, AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO CREATE WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A MOTIVATING AND EDUCATIONAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM FOR YOUTH OF ALL AGES. IN 2024 FELIX AND MVP360 HIT A TURNING POINT. WHERE HE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED 84 CAMPS, 64 COACHES, AT LOCATIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. WE ALSO TRAVELED ABROAD TO OKINAWA, JAPAN, YOKOTA JAPAN, LAKENHEATH, CROUGHTON, MILDENHALL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, RANSTEIN AND GIELENKERCHEN GERMANY. ​WE NOW LOOK TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESS INTO 2025.” 10 DIFFERENT SPORTS, 26 FLAG FOOTBALL, 16 BASKETBALL , 17 PICKLEBALL, 12 LACROSSE, 11 VOLLEYBALL, 7 KICKBALL, 7 FIELD/FLOOR HOCKEY, 2 TENNIS/3X3 BASKETBALL. 2 SOFTBALL CAMPS EFFORTS TO ENGAGE THE ‘TOTAL PERSON” CONCEPT THOUGH OUR 3 PILLARS INITIATIVES: EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL LITERACY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING.

RECENTLY VISIONARY INNOVATOR FELIX DEVELOPED THE CONCEPT CALLED “MY CITY SOUND STAGE”. MY CITY SOUND STAGE WORKS WITH LOCAL TALENT TO CREATE LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STORYTELLERS, MUSICIANS, SINGERS, SONGWRITERS, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTISTS. IT’S A UNIQUE WAY OF ESTABLISHING THEIR PRESENCE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. THIS CONCEPT EVOLVED FROM THE NEED OF LOCAL ARTIST OF ALL TYPES TO BE GIVEN THE PLATFORM TO PERFORM.”WE ARE NOW A SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY CALLED THE RISE UP EXPERIENCE. THIS NAME COMES FROM THE IDEA OF DOING SOMETHING SO AMAZING THAT THE AUDIENCE RISE AND APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS. IT ALSO CAPTURES OUR TAG LINE FOR MANY YEARS, “RISE UP! BE ALL THAT YOU DREAM” UNDER THIS UMBRELLA, WE HAVE NOW BECOME A SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY MANAGING MVP360 SPORTS AND MY CITY SOUND STAGE AS OUR PILLARS. .WE WON AN AWARD FROM THE NFL CALLED, “TOGETHER WE MAKE FOOTBALL”. NFL FILMS PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY, AND WE WERE FLOWN TO CALIFORNIA TO BE A PART OF SUPER BOWL WEEK, NFL HONORS AND SUPER BOWL 50 WE WILL INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF VISIONARIES WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO EMBRACE A CULTURE OF CREATIVITY. AS A DECISIVE: CONFIDENT, STRATEGIC: LEADER WITH A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE. FELIX’S ABILITY TO FOSTER TEAMWORK AND SHARED GOALS OF ACCOUNTABILITY, INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION, AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO EMPOWER OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. MY ADVICE TO ALL IN THIS; ENJOY YOUR SUCCESS, CELEBRATE YOUR WINS, BUT DON’T BECOME COMPLACENT AND NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR DREAMS.“SIGHT VS VISION” SYNDROME. FELIX AGOSTO YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

 

GEORGE EFFORD- THE PEOPLE’S PEOPLE AWARD

THE THINKING MAN IS A CREATIVE FORCE

GROWING UP IN CUMBERLAND GARDENS GEORGE EFFORD WAS A LEADER, MENTOR, CONFIDANT, A TEACHER. HE WAS ALWAYS HIS AUTHENTIC SELF USING HIS CREATIVE OUTLETS SUCH AS DANCING, MUSIC, LAUGHTER , COOKING AND FASHION TO SMOOTHLY EXPRESS HIMSELF. BY WEARING UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE DESIGNS THAT SET THEM APART FROM THE CROWD. GEORGE HAS A REMARKABLE CAPACITY FOR PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE, ENDURING CHALLENGES AND WORKING STEADILY TOWARD SOLUTIONS. HE CONTINUES TO EXCEL IN HIS CULINARY CAREER WITH OVER 37 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE CULINARY FIELD THROUGHOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY . CURRENTLY, HE WORKS AT PHEOBE MINISTRIES WHERE HE IS ADMIRED AND RESPECTED. GEORGE IS HIGHLY ORGANIZED AND GOAL-ORIENTED, WORKING HARD TO ACHIEVE HIS GOALS WITH A STRONG WORK ETHIC, A STRONG SENSE OF DUTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY. HE CONTINUES TO TAKE PRIDE IN HIS CAREER, STRIVING TO ACHIEVE HIS GOALS WITH PERSISTENCE AND DEDICATION. IN THE COMMUNITY GEORGE IS HIGHLY LIKED, ADMIRED AND VALUED AS A FRIEND, FAMILY MEMBER, LISTENING EAR AND COMMUNICATOR. HIS GROUNDED DETERMINED MINDSET. SHAPES HIM TODAY. GEORGE IS A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF HIS VALUES, BELIEFS, AND ATTITUDE. THROUGH THE WAY HE DRESSES, USING FASHION TO COMMUNICATE AND EXPRESS HIS CREATIVE PERSONALITY ENCOMPASSING WORK ETHICS, OLD SCHOOL VALUES IN HIS LIFE AND WORK GEORGE CONTINUES TO FOSTER LONGTIME OLD AND NEW POSITIVE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS WHILE PROMOTING COMMUNITY UNITY THROUGH HIS GIFT OF COOKING . RELIABLE, LOYALIYY AND FASHION FOR THE PEOPLE. GEORGE EFFORD YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

JAMES HOLLY- DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARD – A PATH WRITTEN IN NOT KNOWING THE WORDS, TO DEVELOPING THE WORDS AND NOW LEADING WITH HIS WORDS

DO NOT FOLLOW WHERE THE PATH MAY LEAD. GO INSTEAD WHERE THERE IS NO PATH AND LEAVE A TRAIL.”SAYS JAMES HOLLEY AUTHOR OF THE HOUR OF THE FLOWER AND THE BLACK HANDBOOK FOR WHITE CORPORATE AMERICA . JAMES HOLLEY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF AND/OR PRACTICE OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IS SIGNIFICANT AND HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT WHICH TRANSCENDS INTO HIS IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.. JAMES TOOK EVERYTHING THAT WAS THROWN AT HIM AND USED IT TO BUILD A PLATFORM THAT CHANGED LIVES WITH LOVE AND NOT BITTERNESS. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WORK WITH COMPANIES LOOKING TO TAKE STEPS IN RECRUITING, HIRING, BUILDING ERG’S INCLUDING BREAK OUT SESSIONS. .JAMES IS THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES AT DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION AND AN EMPLOYEE FOR OVER 23 YEARS.. HE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN STRUCTURING BUSINESS PROBLEMS, DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS, AND COLLABORATING WITH CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS. THEIR WORK INVOLVES SYNTHESIZING LARGE DATASETS, AND IDENTIFYING TRENDS, DISTILLING INSIGHTS TO DRIVE BUSINESS DECISIONS. JAMES JOINED THE DUN & BRADSTREET TEAM AFTER ATTAINING HIS ASSOCIATE DEGREE FROM LEHIGH VALLEY COLLEGE, PROUDLY GRADUATING AS A MEMBER OF THE ALPHA BETA KAPPA HONOR SOCIETY. JAMES IS ALSO THE CO-OWNER OF HOLLEYWOOD TRUTH LLC WHICH FOCUSES ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION EFFORTS AND PLANS FOR VARIOUS BUSINESSES IN WHICH HE AUTHORED TWO BOOKS..A VALUABLE ASSET EMPOWERING READERS AND LISTENERS WITH SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES THAT WILL BENEFIT THEM FAR BEYOND THE BOARDROOM. CONNECTING WITH HIS MORAL COURAGE , EXCEPTIONAL CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, AND INTELLECTUAL LEADERSHIP. HE BECAME INTERESTED IN THE FOUNDATION FOR THE BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT LEAD THE WAY PROGRAM. DUN & BRADSTREET HAS DONATED OVER $88 THOUSAND OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD. THEIR DONATION HAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF PROJECT LEAD THE WAY IN THE BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE JAMES WAS ACTING AS TREASURER FOR TWO YEARS . PROJECT LEAD THE WAY HELPS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE, THE COLLEGE BOARD AND PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW) HAVE PARTNERED ON A PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) COURSES AND BUILD THEIR INTEREST IN STEM DEGREES AND CAREERS. THE PROGRAM LEVERAGES THE SUCCESS OF THE COLLEGE BOARD’S ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM (AP) AND PROJECT LEAD THE WAY’S APPLIED LEARNING PROGRAMS. JAMES POSITIVE ATTITUDE, PASSION FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND AMBITION ARE JUST A FEW OF THE QUALITIES THAT MAKE HIM A VALUABLE ASSET TO THE FOUNDATION. JAMES HOLLEY CONTINUES TO LEAD AND TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SETTING THE VISION AND GOALS FOR HIMSELF AND OTHERS AROUND HIM ENSURING THAT HIS MISSION CREATES A COMPREHENSIVE PERSONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY. HIS IMPECCABLE COMMUNICATION , OUTREACH, AND INTEGRITY IN EVERY ACTION IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS STORY, ACHIEVEMENTS, DEDICATION, AND DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP.

JAMES HOLLEY YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

NAQUON GODFREY- COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD

HIS HEART HAS THE POWER TO DO HIS SPIRIT GETS IT DONE

NO ONE WHO EMBODIES THE COMMUNITY BUILDER SPIRIT MORE THAN NAQUON. HE IS ALWAYS SMILING AND WILLING TO HELP BUILD THE COMMUNITY. THOUGH HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS. IN THE COMMUNITY. HIS VALUES AND LEADERSHIP EMBODY THE NATURAL ABILITY TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, AND MOBILIZE OTHERS. HIS COACHING PRACTICES REPRESENT INITIATIVES THAT ARE ROOTED IN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. NAQUAN STRENGTH AND EXCELLENCE IS SEEN IN HIS ABILITY TO SURVIVE AND ACTIVELY RESPOND TO CHANGE. SUCCESSFULY COACHING AND BUILDING THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY NAQUAN FOCUSES ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. NEVER DOUBT THAT A THOUGHTFUL CONCERNED CITIZEN CAN CHANGE AND BUILD HIS COMMUNITY. NAQUAN’S IMPACT IN INSPIRING OTHERS TO GET INVOLVED SHOULD BE ILLUSTRATED ON PAPER AS HOW TO. HIS CONTINUOUS ACTIONS HAVE IMPROVED THE LIVES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS. FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND EMPOWERMENT WITHIN HIS TEAM MEMBERS. “LET US ALL BE INSPIRED BY NYQUAN AND CONTINUE TO BE AN EXAMPLE IN WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE, VIBRANT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITY. NAQUAN BELIEVES THAT EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN SHAPING, AND BUILDING THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY.. DEMONSTRATED IN HIS NO LIMIT SPIRIT , NAQUAN SEES POTENTIAL IN HIS YOUTH AND RAISES THEM UP AS LEADERS. CONTINUALLY DEVELOPING EXPECTATIONS, ENDLESS CARE AND PERSISTENT ENERGY. HE IS A ROLE MODEL FOR SO MANY AND AN ACTION-FOCUSED LEADER WHO IS INCREASING INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION, EXCELLENCE, AND GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY

A LEADER IS BEST WHEN PEOPLE BARELY KNOW HE EXISTS. WHEN HIS WORK IS DONE, NAQUAN CONTINUES TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND, DEMONSTRATING COMPASSION, INTEGRITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO CREATING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND SAFER COMMUNITY FOR HIS YOUTH. NAQUAN GODFREY YOU ARE A SUPERPOWER!!

WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EACH AWARD RECIPIENT WHO CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATE THEIR VALUES BY MODELING ACTION, INNOVATION AND THE TENACITY FOR OTHERS TO EMULATE FROM THEIR STORIES, AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. THE VILLAGE OF EMPOWERMENT’S MISSION IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNICATIVE POWER, CONSISTENCY, UNIFICATION, UPLIFTMENT, INSPIRATION AND CELEBRATION OF THE WOMEN AND MEN OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE PURPOSE OF THESE STORIES IS TO INTRODUCE YOU TO HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN THAT GREW UP IN CUMBERLAND GARDENS, HANOVER ACRES, TERRACE, AND 2ND STREET AND BEYOND IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY.

BY NECHELLE HARRIS