New Orleans, LA – August 31, 2019

Contact:
Zahir Ynoa (Diaz)
Director of Herstory & Rituals
Herstorian@omegaphibeta.org

National Award for Leadership: Maria L. Rivas

Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC), past National President of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc. (LPC), past President of ​​National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)

The National Award for Leadership is awarded to a person who as a leader shares OPBSI’s values for education and mentorship and shows great strength in leadership.  This award honors an individual who has held a leadership role either professionally, or as a volunteer in an organization (profit or non-profit).  Must demonstrate in which ways during the past 5 years the individual has engaged in educating and mentoring others through leadership development and/or professional development, be it through programs/events, services rendered/offered, awareness campaigns, interpersonal relationships, etc.

Maria L. Rivas has shown leadership in several roles and through that leadership she has been instrumental in supporting critical growth of various organizations as well as mentoring others, particularly students, in professional and personal endeavors. Her selfless leadership has propelled forward her own Sorority, our shared umbrella organization, and the community at large. For this reason, Maria Rivas is OPBSI’s recipient of the National “Shared Values” Award for Leadership.

As past National Leader of Hermana of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc., Maria has led efforts to create various documents and policies that lend themselves to improving the professional advancement of its members including the current Regional Board Manual, all in all she has co-authored over 50 constitutional changes. During her time as an Hermana, she has led the expansion efforts to two different schools and served as the lead intake coordinator to 22 women, 15 of whom make up the 1st and 2nd intake classes at LPC’s first undergraduate chapter in New Jersey at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. She currently serves as the chapter’s advisor and continues to train the women for success in the sorority and professionally.

During her tenure as President of NALFO she was an instrumental figure during a pivotal transition period for the organization. She established key partnerships with various organizations, including the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, and the AFA Foundation to aid in strengthening the effectiveness of NALFO as the national umbrella for Latinx organizations. She also instrumented key policies and documents to help ensure NALFO’s future stability.

As the Executive Director of the GVCCC, she has created numerous student internship opportunities to learn skills in areas including marketing, membership recruitment, events coordination, policy and advocacy, and graphic design. Maria has had over 60 interns during her time at the GVCCC who have graduated from institutions such as Rutgers School of Law, Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, University of Michigan, New York University, Columbia University and several others. These students have gone on to hold various jobs that include organizations like Kiva, the Mayor’s office of New York City, Fresh Direct and Indeed. Many of her students have gone on to pursue graduate degree programs with recommendation letters from Maria.

National Award for Empowerment: Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC)

3101 Kingsbridge Terrace, Bronx, NY

National Award for Empowerment is awarded to an organization that shares OPBSI’s values in advocating for women’s empowerment.  This award honors an organization (profit or non-profit) that has made significant strides in advocating for women and empowering women locally, regionally or worldwide.  Must demonstrate in which ways during the past 5 years the organization has empowered women (and girls), be it through services rendered/offered, awareness, its operating model, etc.

The KHCC serves the Bronx, NY community in a variety of ways that make real and impactful change in people’s lives. This organization dedicates its time to changing the futures of child sexual abuse survivors, domestic violence survivors, and spread awareness through campus sexual assault programs among other initiatives. They work with over 1,000 Bronx children and families annually and offer the only completely free long-term treatment service program in the Bronx in a nurturing environment. As many of their programs and services impact women and give them tools for empowerment, recovery and continued growth, OPBSI is pleased to honor KHCC with the National “Shared Values” Award for Empowerment.

The KHCC was founded in 1974 by a group of passionate community organizers. The group was led by three neighborhood women: Mary McLoughlin, Patricia Burns, and Janet Athanasidy. All women who decided that there was time for a change in the community. In the center they offer individual therapy and group therapy to adult survivors of child sexual abuse and other types of trauma. They want to serve their community at large despite their economic background and they welcome all ethnicities. They ask no questions about immigration status.  KHCC wants to create a safe space for all. They want our community to know that there are multiple services that are available to them and that the sky is the limit.

National Award for Community: Jewel Cadet

Associate Director of Programs, Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE)

National Award for Community is awarded to a person who as a Community Advocate shares OPBSI’s values for service and philanthropy and shows dedication to the community at large. This award honors an individual who has held a role as a community advocate either professionally, or as a volunteer in an organization (profit or non-profit), and has engaged in service and philanthropy, positively impacting and benefiting their communities, be it through programs/events, services rendered/offered, awareness campaigns, interpersonal relationships, etc.

Jewel Cadet is a revolutionary force and advocate in the community who is a teacher, facilitator, and organizer. She advocates on behalf of girls, femmes, trans and cis women of color, particularly Black women, to create a safe and equitable environment for all, free of violence. She has also been a supporter of OPBSI’s Ray of Hope Walk in New York City. Her passion and dedication to a world free of violence for all women is why Jewel Cadet is OPBSI’s honoree for the National “Shared Values” Award for Community.  

Jewel Cadet joined Center for Anti-Violence Education in 2015 as a Youth Coordinator.  She brings passion & experience in engaging intersectional curriculum development and innovative youth group facilitation. Jewel’s work experience has been with youth of all ages, working as a lead preschool teacher at Traditional Educational Center, a Teaching Artist for Hip Hop for Life in Brooklyn, and as a creative writing teacher for the Children’s Aid Society in the Bronx. She is a passionate Social Justice Organizer for the rights of Women, Girls, Femmes and for the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community.

The Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE) develops and implements violence prevention programs so that women, girls, people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgender or Gender-Non-Conforming, and those who are at risk from discriminatory policies can interrupt and heal from violence. CAE’s approach combines education, physical empowerment, leadership development and activism. We do this to actively create a more just and peaceful world. We are based in Brooklyn and work throughout the New York metropolitan area.

OPBSI would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination to the Shared Values Awards and acknowledge all nominees for the tremendous and impactful work they do in their communities day in and day out. We recognize the following honorable mentions:

• Omega Phi Beta Foundation (OPBF)
• Christian Adams – Membership and Development Coordinator, SisterSong
• Francina N. Osoria – Alumni Advisor at George Mason University for Corazones Unidos Siempre / Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
• Jessica “Remo” Saul – Founder and owner of the Art of Stepping® (AOS)

We see you and appreciate you!