NEED celebrates 55 students at annual dinner

Neuroscience, Chemical Engineering, Applied Developmental Psychology and Culinary Arts—these are just a few of the expected majors of African-American youths who were celebrated last week.
While many in today’s society think that young African-Americans are just “out in the streets,” NEED has proven that theory wrong.
On May 22 at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh, the nonprofit organization known for “unlocking the power of education” for African-American youth in the Pittsburgh region, awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to 55 of the best and brightest students at its 51st Annual Benefit Dinner. The theme was “Opportunity & Transformation Through Education.”
“I thought the Dinner was excellent. I thought it was motivating and it’s good to see young people on the move. I’m appreciative of all the individuals who came out to support our children,” said NEED president & CEO Marcia Sturdivant, PhD. “It’s the most beautiful feeling to know that you started 55 children on their route to success.”
NEED was established in 1963 under the direction of founder Florence Reizenstein and Marion Jordan, who began a program through the Urban League Education Committee to assist 76 African-American high school students who had been accepted to a college or university, but could not afford to attend. Now NEED has served more than 20,000 students and awarded $20 million in grants and scholarships.
Along with awarding scholarships, NEED also hosts other programs and services such as its ACE (Access to College and Career Education) Program; the mystudentedge program, which is a web-based program that gives students the opportunity to receive guidance in key areas such as essay help, career exploration, resume building, test preparation and more; the STEM Pilot Program; the Historical Black Colleges and Universities Education Tour; the African American Male Mentoring Initiative; the Workforce Diversity Internship Program; and much more.
“I’m very grateful for this scholarship, honestly, because it’s just me, my mom and my sister. And I know  the financial strain that’s been on my mom with just putting me through high school and how expensive it is,” said Winchester Thurston High School senior Kevin McDowell, 18, and recipient of the NEED Achiever Scholarship. “And going to a school that’s $53,000 a year, that’s a big weight to bear, especially when it just is my mom. NEED is that extra little step that’s very helpful. I would really like to thank them so much.”
McDowell will be attending Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., in the fall, where he will major in biomedical engineering.
The evening began with a special Pre-Recognition Reception for all the scholarship recipients who were in attendance. There, they received their honorary NEED stole and cords, which was presented by Sturdivant and NEED Board of Directors Chair Candi Castleberry-Singleton, of the UPMC Center for Inclusion.
Chris Moore, host and producer for WQED, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening’s festivities. He joked that he was only asked because longtime-master of ceremonies Harold Hayes of KDKA-TV could not attend due to a family engagement. He did a great job. Other program participants included honorary chairs Gregory Spencer, of Randall Industries LLC, and his daughter Tammy Spencer-Bey, who was filling in for her mother, Janet Spencer, who could not attend; Rev. Brenda Gregg, president & CEO of Project Destiny Inc.; soloist Khiry Patterson; Castleberry-Singleton; NEED Alumni Kezia O.L. Taylor Woodson and Armani Davis, who gave testimonies of their successes through NEED; a dance performance in recognition of the recipients from Significance; and a special $5,000 scholarship presentation from Evan Frazier on behalf of Highmark Inc. to Gateway Senior High School senior Neema Njau who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh for neuroscience and pre-medicine.
Michelle Howard Diggs, mother of Miele Diggs, 18, a student at Brownsville High School and recipient of the NEED Achiever Scholarship, praised NEED and its efforts. “I’m very proud of the things she has accomplished and the amount of time she has done it in. I thank NEED for being there for African-American children, and just for the possibilities and giving kids inspiration to go and do more. A lot of kids look at the cost and that’s a big downfall for them; NEED helps alleviate some of that burden, and I think that’s a great thing.” Miele Diggs will be attending Le Cordon Bleu in Sacramento, Calif., for culinary arts.
“Even though a lot has changed; a lot remains the same. And African-American children still have a lower rate of graduation, not only from high school, but from college,”  Sturdivant said, explaining why NEED is so vital to the community. “With rising tuition costs there are many of children who can compete academically, but they just don’t have the money. So NEED is still needed. And we need everyone to come forward and support NEED so that we can help kids go onto college.”
Sponsors for the dinner included lead sponsor Highmark, along with UPMC, Bayer MaterialScience, Fifth Third Bank, Hefron Tillotson Inc, Mel Blount Youth Home and a host of other churches and corporate, educational and community entities.
(For more information on NEED, visit www.needld.org or call 412-566-2760.)
 
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter  https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Download our mobile app at https://www.appshopper.com/news/new-pittsburgh-courier