Paterson Youth Council Hosts 3rd Annual MLK Youth Recognition Awards
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and vision, the Paterson Youth Council (PYC) hosted their third annual MLK Youth Recognition Awards Brunch at the Brownstone House on Monday, January 19. The PYC, organized by New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC), is a citywide youth-led and youth-driven civic organization made up of about 35 young people ranging from ages 12-18. Their mission is to represent the interests of young people throughout the city of Paterson.
The Youth Council has decided that the holiday in honor of Dr. King is an appropriate time to recognize some of the city’s most committed and community-minded young people, as well as the adults who help them. 
After a month long nomination process that yielded over 100 nominations, the Paterson Youth Council bestowed the MLK Youth Recognition Awards upon five young people and one adult from the City of Paterson who have made a difference in their community through commitment to the ideals and virtues espoused by Dr. King.
This year’s winners included: Kiyana Lower, Selena Francis, Brittany Sumter, Devenair Williams, Kerry-Ann Graham and Benjie Wimberly, the adult winner. They were nominated by people from various areas of Paterson civic life, including schools, churches, and youth groups.
The event was attended by over 300 people, many of whom were young people. Mayor Joey “Jose” Torres, City Council President William McKoy, Passaic County Freeholder Director Tysha Way, Paterson Board of Education President Dr. Jonathan Hodges, and several other elected officials were on hand to present the winners with additional citations for their winning of the MLK Youth Recognition Award.
