GAIN, Granville Academy in New Haven, held its first annual Scholarship Banquet at the Colony Inn on Thursday night. Since 2003, the organization has engaged more than 100 middle and high school students in a five-year program, teaching the fundamentals of business and marketing, building self esteem, leadership skills and motivation, and preparation for college and fostering professional career goals and paths. It is one of 11 Granville Academies in the country and is staffed and administered by volunteers. St. Raphael Healthcare System hosts the five levels of classes that are also supported by Dwight Central Management Team, Empower New Haven and Citizens Bank and individual donors. The outpouring of parent engagement and participation was evident.
Co-founders of New Haven’s GAIN, Curlena McDonald and Jerry Poole , could not have been more proud of the full room of funders, parents, students, and teachers. Bea Dozier-Taylor served as mistress of ceremonies as students presented some of their reflections of this year’s work. The showstopper was the presentation from the Phase IV students extrapolated from Who Moved the Cheese? The teachers, Florita Gillespie, Jerry Poole, Ife Michelle Gardin, Minister Denise Davis, Jomika Bogan and Susan Monroe, are all to be commended for these achievements!
Award acceptances were made by Tom Ficklin, Martha Judd and Rich Barry, each expressing delight with GAIN and expressing their pledges to continued support.
Keynote speaker Carlton Highsmith (pictured), well known for his industry success and for his work and philanthropy with I Have A Dream Foundation, was introduced by student Gregory Grant. He inspired one and all with his personal story, advising the youngsters with his advice to dream, have passion and deep commitment, to practice lifelong learning and to willingness to sacrifice. He urged them to close the gap between the ratio of assets between Caucasians and black and Hispanics (currently $1 to 17cents).
GAIN’s first graduates are off to college in September, with Gregory Grant having chosen WCSU and Siara Johnson planning to attend CCSU. We hope they return to New Haven to reinvest their time and talent —¬¶ — ¬¶ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD!!
