United Way of Broward County Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention’s Broward Youth Coalition and ihustle4change recognize four local outstanding youth

On Aug. 17, United Way of Broward County Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention’s Broward Youth Coalition (BYC) and Fort Lauderdale non-profit ihustle4change honored four local, outstanding youth by awarding them with iPads and framed certificates.  These students were recognized for their dedication, contributions and for being the driving force to initiate positive change in their schools and community. ihustle4change president Daniel Pessin presented the awards.

The following students are recipients of the awards and iPads:

    Nhadya Lawes – 18-years-old, freshman, University of Miami. Nhadya has served as the Broward Youth Coalition Marketing Director. She handled their Social Media Instagram and Snapchat account and has been incredibly successful with her targeted and creative posts, in addition to increasing BYC’s social media presence with the youth. Nhadya is a great role model for her peers. She is consistently asked to participate in public speaking events on behalf of United Way, the Commission and BYC. Her elegance, confidence, and maturity are unparalleled.

    Chanice Lee – 16-years-old, Senior, Homeschooled. Chanice is a natural born activist and wrote and published her first book at the age of 15 entitled, Young Revolutionary: The Teen’s Guide to Activism. Chanice also has a blog called The Melanin Diary which she uses as a way to promote social awareness amongst Black teens by discussing various topics centered on social justice, history, and politics. She has a passion for educating, inspiring and empowering others, which is always her mission with every article she publishes on her blog.

    Donald Rufus-Raphael – 17-years-old, Senior, Nova High School. Donald is the most improved BYC member. He has demonstrated incredible growth throughout the course of his involvement with BYC. He began as a timid observer and is now the Vice President of the community based BYC in addition to being the current President of a club in his school called Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders. Donald led a workshop at the 25^th Annual Youth Leadership Institute and it was voted as the favorite workshop of the participants. This year Donald was a co-host at the Alternative Spring Break networking and professional development event. He continues to strive to do better and recruits’ people to join BYC and attend YLI as a way to change the trajectory that they are on to a more successful path.

    Markel Barreau – 17-years-old, Senior, Atlantic Technical High School.  Markel served as the BYC community-based secretary this year. He has augmented the organizational structure and success of BYC with his vision and work ethic. Markel also was the guiding force behind opening up a BYC chapter in his school and serves as the President of their BYC. Because of his leadership, his high school was the best and most successful school-based BYC this academic year. He recruited the most members to a school-based BYC and leads them with maturity and strength.