For the past 50 years, the Center for Family Excellence (CFE) has been working to help families survive and thrive amid adversity. Each program offered works to restore, sustain and strengthen family relationships that are under potential stress. Mary C. Young, CFE Chairperson of the Board of Directors said the center staff works directly with families throughout Allegheny County under the direction of Dr. Thomas as well as collaborate with other human services to prevent and intercept cycles of behavior that are destructive to individuals, families and neighborhoods.
On Oct. 27 at The University Club in Oakland, CFE celebrated 50 Years of “Values For Life” with an Anniversary Dinner honoring Dr. Jerome Taylor and Dr. Lenall Thomas. Taylor is President and Founder of CFE, and the work of CFE has been recognized as one of the best managed non-profit organizations in the region (Alfred W. Wishart Jr. Award) and its violence prevention program has been rated as the best in Pennsylvania. Thomas is Chief Executive Officer at CFE. She is a certified Values for Life Trainer and has conducted trainings and workshops nationwide. She is also an adjunct professor in the Degree Completion Programs at Geneva College. Thomas has been with CFE since its inception.
Luther J. Sewell Jr., Founder and Publisher of Talk Magazine & LJS Group served as Master of Ceremonies, while Dr. Marcia Sturdivant, CEO of NEED, was guest speaker. Sturdivant said that CFE has stayed the course for 50 years while other things that were around 50 years ago are no longer here. During the presentation, Sturdivant’s son Larry Anderson Jr. skyped in to congratulate Thomas and Taylor on 50 years of excellence.
It was an evening of awards and presentations for Taylor and Thomas, as the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-Pep) presented plaques to each and both were presented with United States flags and African flags. One of the most heartwarming tributes came from Elgin, Yolanda and Keith Robinson. They spoke of how CFE has been instrumental in their family and they appreciate the principles of the program: love and respect, self-respect, self-esteem, self-persistence, self-reliance, interpersonal skills and learning orientation.
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