Community: Check out the Pictures from the NAACP Medgar Evers Awards [Gallery]

The Buffalo Branch NAACP hosted its 51st Anniversary Medgar Evers Awards Dinner, honoring some AMAZING leaders members for their contributions to our community! Yasmin Young from the 2 to 6 Takeover (2-6PM, M-F), the Mistress of Ceremonies, recaps the evening!

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Get Ready for the 42nd Anniversary Juneteeth Festival:

Congratulations to all the award recipients!

Award Recipients

Youth Award
Tyler Horton
Tyler attended Westminster Community Charter School where he was academically
successful in becoming the Vice President of the National Junior Honor Society and
Valedictorian of his class. Tyler became a Boy Scout at the age of 12. He eventually became an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 237. Tyler attends Bethesda World Harvest International Church and participates in the youth group and a member of the Cinematography Team. In 2015, Tyler participated in the Science Olympiad Wright Stuff event. Currently, Tyler attends the Health Science Charter School and is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2017, a member of the National Honor Society, a Jesse Ketchum Memorial Fund Bronze Winner, and a Student Ambassador.

Anthony Wiley
Anthony Wiley Jr., has been going to Boy Scout outings such as meetings and boy
scout camping since he was a baby. Anthony is now an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop
237. Anthony lives by the Scout Oath: duty to God, and his country, and keep himself
mentally awake and morally straight. He regularly attends church at the Macedonia
Missionary Baptist Church. He volunteers regularly in the food pantry at his church. Anthony graduated from Tapestry Charter High School. While in high school, he was on the Thunder Hawks Varsity Basketball Team. He was also a member of his school band. During his Eagle Scout Project, Anthony supervised the building of a supply cabinet for supplies needed though out the church. Tyler presently attends Erie Community College and works part time at Home Depot.

Rufus Frasier Human Relations Award
Kanasha N. Blue
Kanasha L. N. Blue is a native of Montego Bay Jamaica, and has resided in Western NY since 1997. Kanasha is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and a retired Staff Sergeant of the New York Army National Guard. She is Currently a Labor Service Representative for the New York State
Department of Labor: Western New York Strikeforce Initiative, which assists job seekers in impoverished areas that do not have the resources or opportunity to obtain employment. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Kanasha organized a drive for personal care items and clothing for local workers in need. Some of Kanasha’s other volunteer involvement includes the Second Baptist Church Food Pantry, Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Inc Philanthropic and Volunteer Chair, and former mentor for the Buffalo/Niagara Mentorship Program. Kanasha also holds several community leadership roles including President of Second Baptist Church Missionary/Deaconess Ministry, Third Vice Commander of the American Legion Jesse Clipper Post 430, and Executive Committee member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and CoChair of the Young Adult Action Committee (YAAC). Kanasha earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at SUNY Buffalo State and a Master Degree in Public Administration at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Daniel R. Acker Community Service Award
Tiffany Renee’ Lewis
Tiffany Renee' Lewis is a native of Memphis, TN. She moved with her family to Buffalo, NY at
a young age. With the ever-changing economy, in 2013, Tiffany took a leap of faith and became the Owner of Skin Deep Beauty Spa, f.k.a Spa Essentials, where she is a celebrity esthetician, speaker, educator and mentor that specializes in the health and wellness of the skin. Tiffany holds a dual degree in Legal and Religious Studies, and has over 12 years’ experience fulfilling various roles in both the public and private sector where she developed various pilot programs
and implemented community programming. Although, she helps a variety of clients ranging from celebrities, professional athletes and world renowned artistic directors, Tiffany feels most rewarded when she is working with cancer patients. In addition to maintaining her daily clientele, Tiffany donates some of her time with The American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better Program where she assists in helping cancer patient’s look and feel their best. Tiffany’s work doesn’t stop there. As a youth advocate, in 2016, Tiffany launched the “Confident Girl” Mentoring Program; an empowerment program that focuses on building the confidence in youth, teen, and young adults. Currently, the program serves over thirty (30) youth in the Advantage After-School Program in Niagara Falls, NY by taking them on a journey of self-discovery and development. Her workshops promote self-confidence, self-worth and the importance of taking care of the mind, body and spirit.

Medgar Evers Civil Rights Award
Stephanie Barber Geter
Stephanie Barber has spent over 30 years engaged in community service and engagement. She currently works at Buffalo State College – Continuing Professional Studies as Director of the Head Start Partnership. In that role, she mentors Head Start teachers through degree completion. Prior to that, Stephanie served as Senior Vice President of Funds Distribution & Community Initiatives group at the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. She was responsible for distributing approximately $25 million yearly to agency providers and community partners. Currently, Stephanie serves as President of the Hamlin Park Taxpayers Association, Board Chair of Restoring Our Community Coalition (ROCC) and as Board Chair of Elim Community Corporation. In addition, she serves on the Board of the WNY Food Bank.