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United Way Honors Graduates of African American Leadership Development Program
More than 40 African Americans from the Rochester area were honored for their successful completion of United Way of Greater Rochester’s African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP). United Way volunteers, staff, and community leaders paid tribute to program graduates during formal commencement ceremonies held Thursday evening, November 3rd at the Hyatt Regency of Rochester.
Since the program began in 1992, more than 400 graduates have been honored – and it’s estimated 75% have served on local committees or boards for community and nonprofit organizations. AALDP encourages community awareness, leadership, and networking. Participants receive training from community leaders in effective communication, leadership styles, board and committee responsibilities, team building, decision making, and conflict resolution.
“The program’s success is tremendous,” said Peter C. Carpino, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester. “These individuals have made a strong commitment to making a positive impact in our community. They are tomorrow’s leaders - serving the needs of our community today, and I applaud them for being catalysts for change.”
 The keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony was Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, president of Bennett College for women. Dr. Cole is also chair of United Way of America’s Board of Trustees, and is the first African American to serve in that leadership position. She spoke about the importance of diversity in leadership, inspiring, and encouraging AALDP graduates to lead by example.
This marks the 14th year United Way has offered this leadership development program for African Americans. AALDP is a unique ten-day leadership development program designed to increase and broaden the participation of African Americans in policy-making leadership roles in the greater Rochester community.
Members of the African American Leadership Development Program 2005 graduating class include:
| Anthony T. Banks |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| Melissa L. Barrett |
Unified Court System, Rochester City Court |
| Andrea C. Bell |
Jewish Home of Rochester |
| George Breedlove |
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| Tonya Brooks |
Rochester Institute of Technology |
| Brenda Brumfield |
Anthony Jordon Health Center |
| Michelle N. Butler |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| Dawn G. Charleston |
ITT Space Systems LLC |
| Torri Cowans |
ARC of Monroe County |
| Nicolle L. Crocker |
Rochester City School District |
| Angela Cuyler |
Preferred Care |
| Bertha Davis-Wall |
Jewish Home of Rochester |
| Cory Dukes |
Paychex |
| LaShunda C. Echols-Smith |
Successful Pathways, Inc. |
| Kevin D. Eldridge |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| Brenda Evans |
Rochester General Hospital |
| Ernest S. Flagler |
City of Rochester- Fire Department |
| Todd L. Gillenwater |
Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield |
| Cecil A. Gittens |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| Woodrow Hammond |
Retired |
| Lori Harris |
Rochester Institute of Technology |
| Andre’ G. Hill |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| BeLinda L. Lewis |
Thomson West |
| Robert W. Lewis |
The Jewish Home of Rochester |
| Willie J. Lightfoot, Sr. |
City of Rochester- Fire Department |
| Benjamin J. Ligon |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| Melanie Marshall-Funchess |
Charter School of Science & Technology |
| Karen Y. Moore |
Preferred Care |
| Desiree Y. Morton |
Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield |
| Ernest J. Myers |
University of Rochester |
| Kabutey Ocansey |
City of Rochester |
| Darryl B. Parker |
City of Rochester |
| Trevor A. Payton |
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| Komekia E. Peterson |
DePaul Community Health Services |
| Annette M. Powell |
Thomson West |
| Cynthia A. Powell |
Action for a Better Community |
| Ulandus Powell-Quinn |
University of Rochester |
| Franklyn D. Reynolds |
Energy East |
| Teheran K. Simmons |
EDS |
| Cynthia Snowden |
ITT Space Systems LLC |
| Gloria A. Trott |
Eastman Kodak Company |
| Cookie Waller |
City of Rochester-Teen Court |
| Angelette D. Williams |
ITT Space Systems LLC |
| Ruth Wilson |
ITT Industries |
Applications for next year's class will be available in May 2006. For further information about AALDP, please contact Program Coordinator Rodney Young at (585) 242-6556.
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