By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer
On the evening of December 12th, the Urban League of San Diego County (ULSDC) honored nine regional leaders who symbolize the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Hosted at the US Grant Hotel, a three-course dinner was served for the guests of honor and their community who came out to celebrate them.
Hosted by two MCs, the young community leaders TJ Harris and Jamela Johnson. The awards program commenced with an invocation given by Pastor George McKinney. The National Recording Artist Daneen Wilburn led everyone in singing the powerful and hopeful Negro National Anthem, filling the room with her vibrato and soulful tone.
As attendees dug into their steak, potatoes, and vegetables, Board Chair Larry S. Reed welcomed everyone to the dinner, followed with more live music and a surprise duet with him and Ms. Wilburn that grabbed the attention and cheers from the audience. Afterwards, Reed spoke on the impact of the Urban League to the community.
“At a time when fear and uncertainty were at their highest due to unforeseen pressures, the determination of the Urban League to overcome formidable barriers to equality and equity has remained steadfast despite the year’s trials,” reflected Reed on the flood disasters in January 2024.
Al Abdallah, President & CEO of the Urban League, spoke to the success of the ULSDC through an annual impact report left on everyone’s table with statistics to match.
“100% of our youth participants are promoted to the next grade level, without requiring remedial courses, all of [whom] applied to and were accepted into a 4-year or 2-year institution”, emphasized Abdallah, earning a room filled with applause.
With that, the Presentation of Awards began, honoring the nine honorees: Eric Asiedu, Director of Mortgage Marketing & Sales Support at First Citizens Bank; Janell Davis, Founder and Owner of Nelly’s Kitchen; Maya Madeson, Founder & CEO of Maya’s Cookies; Ellen Ewings-Nash, Chair of Black American Policy Association of California, San Diego; Kazeem Omidiji, Director of Community Relations, San Diego Gas & Electric, Gregory A. Smith, Chancellor of San Diego Community College District; Fred Sotelo, President & CEO of Cerveza XTECA; Samantha Williams, Executive Director of JIREH Providers; and Tony Young, Prior CEO of San Diego Workforce Partnership.
To close out the night, musical performances from the band filled the room as people began socializing and congratulating one another on their accomplishments, concluding the 71st Equal Opportunity Diversity & Equity Awards Dinner.
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