A 39-year-old template for United Achievement; what we all can learn from the United Achiever’s Club

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“We must be dedicated stewards that solicits the community towards greatness.” ~ Mark Beckles (Keynote Speaker, 2019 UAC Scholarship Awards)

This article will be re-introducing an organization that has been recognized by other media outlets, year after year, for one specific event, The United Achievers Club Annual Scholarship & Recognition Awards. It is truly an achievement to have dedicated 39 years to developing leaders of tomorrow, so that they can continue to carry out the vision of a stronger, unified Afro-Caribbean community. It is our pleasure to highlight the students who received their awards, because they do deserve recognition. The article will also be presented as a template that readers can use to build an organization that remains reputable, even when individual members are no longer around.

“Don’t fear uncertainty.” ~ Mark Beckles

With times and conditions changing so rapidly, The United Achiever’s Club has found a way to keep their aim constantly focused on the future. Providing our youth with scholarships is an excellent way to show them that they are supported, so that they can in turn give back to their community. Change is unavoidable and happens constantly, but the UAC has taken the time to ensure that our youth are well prepared for the future.

UAC has also mastered the art of collaboration and partnerships, which is what has allowed them to present students with scholarships each year. Since her presidential announcement in 2018, Marva Hemmings and her team at UAC, have created and maintained positive relationships with established, and renowned organizations including: Congress of Black Women of Canada (Brampton Chapter), Malton Black Development Association, Peel Regional Police, Sterling Dental, William Osler Health System Foundation (WOHSF), The Kiwanis Club of Brampton, and on Thursday September 26^th, 2019 it was released that they would be partnering with Brampton Half Marathon. The organizations ability to maintain great relation is one of the reasons why they were able to have Jesse Jones (Founder of Ten81), as a repeat Emcee, and present to the students a progressive Keynote Speaker Mark Beckles (Senior Director Youth Strategy and Innovation, RBC).

“We must define ourselves, we must not let others define us.” ~ Mark Beckles

What the 14 Scholarship & Recognition Awards were able to see last night is that they have a group of people who are willing to deploy empathy and humility. They could feel the genuine desire from the community to help and advise them, without making it about us. It is time to introduce the recipients of the 35^th Annual Scholarship & Recognition Awards that was presented on Saturday, September 21^st, 2019, at the Century Gardens Recreation Centre:

• Trevon Baker – Enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Creative Industries Program at Ryerson University.
• Jeremiah Bashford  – Enrolled in the Business Marketing program at Humber College (North Carolina).
• Rasheidah Buckle – Enrolled in the Visual and Performing Arts, Arts Management and Media program at the University of Toronto.
• Courtenay Coleman – Enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Justice Studies at the University of Guelph- Humber.
• Taylor Francis – Enrolled in the Honours Life Sciences, Co-op program at the University of Waterloo.
• Taejai Hamilton – Enrolled in the Fitness & Health Promotion Program at George Brown College.
• Kendal Kandasamy – Enrolled in the Studies in Social Sciences Program (Faculty of Arts and Sciences) at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus).
• Jordan McClean – Enrolled in the Music Cognition Program at McMaster University.
• Kayla McLeggon – Enrolled in the BA Youth & Children’s Studies Program at Wilfred Laurier University.
• Ajile Moodie – Enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering Program at Carlton University.
• Aneesia Small – 18 years old is a graduate of St Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School.
• Aniyah Stuart-Veira  – Enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at Western University.
• Gabrielle Sukie – Enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce –Business Technology Management at Ryerson University.
• Cassandra Takyi –Enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing Program at Humber College (North Campus).

This is the legacy that the United Achievers Club is leaving. When you get a moment visit United Achievers Club at https://www.unitedachieversclub.com/ and continue to support organizations that can teach us all about becoming better leaders.