Community College Of Philadelphia Honors Local Northwest Philadelphia Neighborhood Leaders

PHILADELPHIA, PA, APRIL 25, 2004 - Community College of Philadelphia will pay tribute to six individuals from Northwest Philadelphia for their outstanding contributions at its Fourth Annual Distinguished Leadership Awards Breakfast to be held at the College's Northwest Regional Center, 1500 West Godfrey Avenue from 8:00 am to 9:30 am on Wednesday, April 28, 2004.

Each year, the awards ceremony recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions as leaders in education, community service, business, faith-based activities, as an elected official and as a high school student.

This year's Northwest leaders to be honored include:
• The Honorable LeAnna M. Washington
  State Representative
  200th Legislative District


• Charles Gray
  Owner
  The Rib Crib


• Shirley Stevenson
  Executive Director
  Fern Rock-Ogontz-Belfield
  Community Development Corporation


• Reverend Gordon Simmons
  Pastor
  Reformation Lutheran Church


• Tracey Williams
  Director
  Mayor's Office of Community Service (MOCS)
  Youth Web Community Technology Center


• Noeleen Urmson
  Graduating Senior and Honor Student
  Cardinal Dougherty High School

State Representative LeAnna M. Washington - a lifelong Philadelphian, succeeded in overcoming some difficult circumstances when she progressed from a divorced mother of three on welfare to a college graduate with a Master's Degree in Human Services and now a dynamic State Legislator with a passion for making a difference in her community. Throughout her political career, which first began when she won her seat in the House in 1993, Ms. Washington has earned a respected reputation as a champion for measures such as: making welfare-to-work a reality; providing affordable and accessible health care; adequate funding for the schools so that every child gets a quality education; curbing youth violence; and protecting people from predatory lenders. In January 2001, she became the first woman elected to head the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC). As chairwoman, she has taken up such vital issues as election reform, racism, gender bias in the courts, racial tension in the schools and racial profiling. Ms. Washington is a "hands-on" public servant who believes in staying involved and fighting for the needs of her community - whether it be out in the neighborhood or on the House floor.

Charles Gray - is an educator and a community activist who has come to be called "The Mayor of Germantown." His restaurant, "The Rib Crib," is an institution on Germantown Avenue that sports an exhibition of photographs featuring locally and nationally known figures, many of who have come from miles around to savor the delicious food. Mr. Gray, a retired teacher from the Philadelphia School District, was and still is a champion for students. He has personally helped to finance scholarships or intercede on behalf of his students for admissions to various schools. Just this past year, he gave four scholarships to deserving young people. Mr. Gray outstanding community service has earned him several prestigious awards and a story on Eye on America, a feature broadcast on the CBS National Evening News with Dan Rather.

Shirley Stevenson - is credited with transforming a neighborhood eyesore into the edifice that houses the Fern Rock-Ogontz-Belfield Community Development Center (FOB CDC). Under her leadership, the FOB CDC has become one of Philadelphia's premier non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in the community. Ms. Stevenson has some 30 years of experience in community development and a strong commitment to community service. She sits on various Boards and advisory councils such as: the 35th Police District Advisory Council; the LaSalle Neighborhood Nursing Center Advisory Board and the Violent Prevention Connection Advisory Board at Albert Einstein Hospital.

Reverend Gordon Simmons - Pastor of the Reformation Lutheran Church is affectionately known throughout the Mt Airy and West Oak Lane neighborhoods as the "pastor on the bike" or "Biker Rev." Reverend Simmons travels throughout the neighborhood on his bicycle to reach out to the residents and respond to emergencies. When a motorist killed a crossing guard last year, Pastor Simmons was there. When a house near the church caught fire, Pastor Simmons was there. When a youth was killed in a drive-by shooting, Pastor Simmons was there. In the 15 years Reverend Simmons has served as Pastor of Reformation, he has made three house calls on each of the 10,000 homes in the congregation's residential community. The Pastor's spirited leadership and mobile style of ministry tell the story of his love for the city and his commitment to its people.

Tracey Williams - spearheaded the design and development of the model for the Community Technology Center. She was instrumental in designing and facilitating technical training programs targeted to high school dropouts, court adjudicated youth and the welfare-to-work population. Ms Williams has used her technical talents to establish a Youth Scholars Program at Lincoln University aimed at providing youth development counseling for 250 at-risk middle and high school students and a multimedia career center that facilitated access to services, jobs, career development, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Ms. Williams has been a driving force in the movement to provide young people and adults with the tools, techniques and training needed to become skilled in the use of computers technology.

Noeleen Urmson - a four-year First Honors student is a graduating senior at Cardinal Dougherty High School. Her 4.0 average has earned her the distinction of an entry in Who's Who Among American High School Students. During her years at Cardinal Dougherty, Ms. Urmson has been engaged in a flurry of community activities and a force of good will. She has participated in Health Occupation Students of America and is certified in clinical skills; she has been a staff member and copy editor for the school newspaper; and she has served in the Community Service Corps as an officer and cabinet member. Noeleen has helped to build houses in Cumberland, Maryland for the Appalachian Service Project and worked with inner city children in a summer day camp. In the fall, Ms. Urmson will be attending Immaculata University with the goal of becoming a high school teacher. Because she has been blessed by all she has learned and experienced, she wants to share her knowledge and gifts with others.