Best of 2009
INK Newspaper recognizes the best of the best in 2009
2009 MAN OF THE YEAR – Wayne Township Trustee Rick Stevenson
In addition to his compassionate management of the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office, Wayne Township Trustee Rick Stevenson showed passionate leadership in his fight to ensure that southeast Fort Wayne residents don’t fall victim to environmental racism. Stevenson, working with others including the NAACP, have demanded greater scrutiny of a proposed garbage sorting facility on Pontiac Street.
2009 WOMAN OF THE YEAR – Dr. Wendy Robinson, Fort Wayne Community Schools
A tireless champion of public education, Dr. Wendy Robinson was awarded 2009’s Joseph E. Hill Superintendent of the Year Award by the National Alliance of Black School Educators, an honor reserved for superintendents who demonstrate leadership resulting in positive outcomes for African American students. Dr. Robinson, who just signed a new five-year contract with Fort Wayne Community Schools, is leading the charge for the “Balanced Scorecard,” a systematic measure of district performance.
2009 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – Stuart Manufacturing
Based in southeast Fort Wayne, Stuart Manufacturing, a maker of custom cables and electrical modules, employs more than 200 people. Company president Lionel Tobin was named Indiana Minority Small Business Person of the Year for 2009 by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
2009 BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR – Foundation One, Unity Barber Shop
Unity Barber Shop’s Foundation One has devoted himself to improving his community through business development and personal outreach. Recently, when violence came to the doorstep of his business, Brother Foundation remained a voice of calm, reason and peace. Whether talking to a trouble youth or the mayor of the city, Foundation One speaks from the heart.
2009 ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR – Fort Wayne/Allen County Branch of NAACP
Under the leadership of Branch president Rev. Bill McGill and a talented and dedicated Executive Committee, the Fort Wayne/Allen County Branch of NAACP not only doubled membership, but got members engaged and involved in 2009.
2009 NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR – TRIAAC
Three Rivers Institute of Afrikan Art and Culture is a multigenerational cutural community that strengthens identity through the arts. TRIACC is home to the Three Rivers Jenbé Ensemble, JATA (adult ensemble), Acoustic Coffeehouse and other artistic initiatives. Led by Omowale-Ketu Oladuwa, with the support of his wife Clydia, staff, the Board of Directors and a Council of Elders, TRIAAC is building for the future.
2009 MEDIA OF THE YEAR – WQSW-LP 100.5 FM
The success of northeast Indiana’s only full-time gospel radio station, WQSW-LP 100.5 FM, is due to the commitment and faith of founder Deborah Godwin-Starks, the dedication of staff, including Chris Riley and station manager De’Breia Williams-Riley and a devoted (and growing) audience of listeners.
