African Christian Teachers

African Christian Teachers Award to The Class of 2003

Jul 18, 2003

Eighteen members of the Class of 2003 graduates were the recipients of the African Christian Teachers Award at York College of the City University of New York on the evening of June 5. The Award honors the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is conferred upon youngsters said to be like him in their exemplary character and service to others. Outstanding from the Bayside High School was Jakana Thomas of St. Albans, Queens, and Elliot Randolph from Aviation High School in Long Island City, Queens.

The African Christian Teachers Association is a nonProfit tax exempt organization now in its 36th year of service to the New York City school community. Its founder and director is author/poet Etta May Ladson. Former high school counselor Anna Ruth Austin was recognized as Honorary Chairperson for the The Class.

Dr. King's dream was in the good hands of 15 high school and 3 junior high school graduates. They were: Jakana Thomas of Bayside H.S., listed in "Who's Who of American Students", sister graduate from the same school, Stefanya Jean-Claude, from Haiti, Brandon Rush from Springfield Gardens H.S, Kerlon Williams from Forest Hills H.S., Ramon Abreu from Richmond Hill H.S., Brian Wise from Hillcrest H.S. and Elliot Randolph who ranked 7th in a class of 285 at Aviation High School.

Among the young women graduates were: Safiya Whitehead of John Bowne H.S., Monique Rocke of August Martin H.S., Nina DeWalt of Benjamin N. Cardozo, Chikodi Emerenini of Francis Lewis H.S. and Kristen Samuels of Martin Van Buren High SChool. The two private school students honored were Yadira Austin of Bishop Loughlin Memorial H.S. and Troy McCord of Martin Luther High School.

The three middle school honorees were Debbie Churman of 59Q, Carrill Alexander of 72Q and foundation family member Georgette Dennis from MS 53 in Far Rockaway. Georgette received the Dan and Lena Jenkins Family Award, a citation which commemorates the work of the association's illustrious ancestors. Dan Jenkins was the founder of the Jenkins Orphanage, the first orphanage for Black Children and the legendary Dan Jenkins Band in Charleston, S.C., in the 19th Century. This ancestor's portrait is the lone black male hanging on the wall of the City Hall in Charleston.

At the York College Reception, attending recipients of the African Christian Teachers Award received a portfolio of bills, $100 for senior high graduates and $50 for junior high graduates. In addition to the cash outlay, members of the class received several books authored by the director: "Strange Land Songs," a text of sonnets celebrating the beauty of African Americans, an accompanying workbook of college level "Reading Tests for Strange Land Songs," and a copy of "Star Watch" a traditional Christmas play to be shared with their church school leadership. Each was also give a copy of "Orita", a Rites of Passage text for the parents of youth of African descent, by Dr. Marily C. Maye. The association issues a green and white certificate. This is sent to the participating schools to be presented to the students at their own special Honor Assemblies.

York College of the City University of New York is a 4-year neighborhood institution of higher education located at 94-20 Guy Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica, New York.