United Achievers Community Services Awards thirteen scholarships to outstanding Black students

BY PAUL JUNOR

The United Achievers Club (UAC) of Brampton has made a significant difference in the lives of many African-Canadian youth ever since it was established in 1980 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987. Their motto is “Inspiring Lives, Empowering Communities,” and it has lived up to that ideal for over 40 years now. The August 16^th, 2024, press release by the UAC lists its aims and objectives as:

• To raise the profile and consciousness of Black and Caribbean communities in the wider society.
• Provide effective and meaningful role models for our youth.
• Encourage greater participation in community and political affairs.
• Provide resources for adaptation and integration of the Black and Caribbean cultures in the wider community.
• Link with existing community services to provide educational resources.

The annual scholarship awards is one of its signature events that shows its impact and influence on brilliant Black students. From 1985, when one scholarship was awarded to a student at Central Peel Secondary School (CPSS) in Brampton to September 18^th, 2021, when 13 scholarships were awarded.

They handed out over $400 000 in scholarships. Just last year, October 3^rd, 2020, was proclaimed United Achievers Club Day by the City of Brampton in recognition of the club’s 40th year anniversary. The 37^th annual scholarship and recognition award was truly a special and memorable occasion which was a virtual Zoom celebration of outstanding Black academic excellence and intellectual achievements. It shows that UAC believes in investing in our youth through the establishment of scholarships to eligible high-school students entering their first year of college/ university.

The event was emceed by Charles Matthew Jr of CMJ Entertainment and hosted by Kathy McDonald, Trustee of Peel District School Board (PDSB). The UAC is grateful for the Kiwanis Club of Brampton, Peel Regional Police, Mrs. Jennifer Cave-Williams, Drs. Matthew and Darlene Weekes, and the Walnut Foundation for their sponsorship of the scholarships.

There was a special scholarship in memory of the late Dr. Winston Isacc who contributed many years of truly exemplary dedicated service to the UAC. The list of the 13 scholarship recipients from left to right, starting at the top are:

Tashon Bleary is enrolled in concurrent B.Ed. (French studies) at U of Windsor.

Christina Campbell  is enrolled in community services at U of Guelph-Humber.

Hanna Essibrah is enrolled in biomedical sciences program at U of Waterloo

Stephanie Henry is enrolled in a kinesiology program at McMaster University.

Victoria Herlidan is enrolled in honour psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University

Elliot Laughton is enrolled is business management at Ryerson University

Pamusa Nafees is enrolled in the civil engineering program at York University

Christabel Ntow is enrolled in community services program at Guelph-Humber

King-David Olajuwon is enrolled in the nursing program at Queen’s University.

Kimberly Olumese is enrolled in the nursing program at University of Windsor

Reon Pyne is enrolled in Spec. Hons. computer security program at York U.

Shandy Tchoumbeu is enrolled in the  business administration program at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Kristina Ukhuegbe is enrolled in the nursing program at Western University.

The special speaker for the virtual ceremony was Carole Walker, a past recipient in 1985 and Althea Cook, a litigation lawyer, was recognized for her community service.