AALI Staying Connected & Getting Involved
AALI Celebrates a Successful Summer Mixer
On Tuesday, July 13th members of the African American Leadership Initiative (AALI) and the Triangle Association of Black Journalists (TABJ) came together for a “mid-summer night’s mixer” at The Oliver Twist Lounge in Raleigh.
As AALI members we recognize the need to share our message with other passionate professionals in order to advance the common good in our communities. The ultimate goal is to increase awareness of critical issues facing African American families and youth within the Triangle and to build meaningful partnerships with professional organizations in support of the United Way of the Greater Triangle.
This was the first United Way mixer of its kind, bringing these two well respected professional groups together for networking and information sharing. It was an enlightening and an exciting success! So, expect more mixers like this in the future!
AALI Celebrates 10 Years with Style
View the photo gallery from the anniversary event here.
More than 80 Founders, current members and guests toasted10 years of philanthropy for AALI on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the new Marriott City Center in Raleigh.
It was a grand occasion filled with excitement and purpose in commemorating the work of AALI founders who started the affinity group ten years ago. Since then, the group has grown from 12 members to over 100 and giving increased by 83% as the contributions changed from $500 to $1200 annually.
The 2009 AALI Youth Essay Contest Winner-Ms. Alexis Best, a senior at Southeast Raleigh High School, was also recognized during the evening. Alexis is also president of the Black Achievers program at the Garner Road YMCA and has aspirations of becoming a dentist. She received a Target Gift Certificate, a $50 US Savings Bond and a new HP Netbook for her achievements.
Lastly, Newsweek International Correspondent Sana Butler gave an inspiring keynote address disclosing lessons learned from interviewing the children of slaves from her new book, Sugar of the Crop: My Journey to Find the Children of Slaves.
To read more about this event or to view additional pictures, click below.
AALI Tours John Avery Boys & Girls Club
What better way to see your dollars at work than by visiting a Triangle United Way partner agency that services at-risk youth, especially if you’re a member of AALI which focuses on youth and mentoring? In March members of the 2009 AALI Steering Committee participated in a community impact tour,visiting the John Avery Boys & Girls Club in Durham. They sat down with executive director, Carlos McCall and two additional executive directors of partner agencies that service many African American youth in our community - Renorda Herring of Durham Companions and Joshua Dorsett of the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club.
Committee members learned of the progress many of these executive directors have made in servicing youth. Herring talked of expanding their program and changing their name from Durham Companions to Durham Mentors for Youth sometime in the near future. Of 48 registered participants, 41 of them have been matched with mentors and the remaining seven participate in group mentoring sessions as they wait for their individual mentors, she reported.
AALI hopes to continue this enthusiasm throughout the year with the AALI Youth Essay Contest and the AALI Mentor of the Year award. Recipients of both were recognized at the AALI 10-year anniversary event in October of 2009.
AALI Launches Two New Exciting Contests
AALI is pleased to announce the launching of two exciting programs that recognize outstanding African American youth and mentors throughout the Triangle.
The AALI Youth Essay Contest will be a collaborative effort between AALI and a selected Triangle United Way partner agencies that provide after school mentoring, life skills, and leadership development programs to at-risk youth in the Triangle. Prizes were awarded to winners at the 10-year anniversary celebration in October.
The application window has closed, please stay tuned for updates.
The AALI Mentor of the Year Award will be granted to a dedicated individual recognized for outstanding commitment to youth through their volunteer mentor role at one of the Triangle United Way partner agencies. Candidates for the award can apply themselves or be nominated by a peer or colleague and should have at least one recommendation from the program or executive director from the volunteer agency.
The application window has closed, please stay tuned for updates.
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