39 Years of Service Black Family Development, Inc.

Celebrates Humanitarians, Youth and Community Partners

In its 39th year of committed service to chil-dren, youth, families and the community, Black Family Development, Inc. celebrated its annual Presidents’ Dinner and Dr. Ger-ald K. Smith Humanitarian Awards and stu-dent scholarship presentations. The Annual Presidents’ Dinner recognizes the voluntary contributions of Black Family Development, Inc.’s past Presidents of the Board of Direc-tors and celebrates the achievements of the distinguished Honorees and students through the Dr. Gerald K. Smith Humanitarian Awards and Scholarships. Alice G. Thompson, CEO Black Family Development, Inc. stated, “As we celebrate our recipients, we also cele-brate those who partner with us to advance our mission: “To strengthen and enhance the lives of children, youth, and families through partnerships that support safe, nurturing, vi-brant homes, schools and communities.”

The 2017 Dr. Gerald K. Smith Humanitar-ian honorees are Doug Ross, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor and Founder of the University Prep Schools; Tony Saunders, Managing Director, Volte; The Honorable Thomas F. Stallworth III, President, Stallworth Consulting Group LLC; John VanCamp, Pres-ident and CEO, Southwest Solutions; Addie Williams, Attorney, Retired President/CEO, Spaulding for Children; Shirley Stancato, President and CEO, New Detroit, Inc. Dr. Gerald K. Smith Scholarship recipients were: Cassandra Herr, Osborn Academy; and Her-shell Bell, Western International High School.

“We gratefully acknowledge the support that we have continuously received from our spon-sors. This support assists us with our commu-nity work and activities that promote positive youth development,” states Alice G. Thomp-son, CEO, Black Family Development, Inc. Sponsors for this event included: Presenting Sponsor DTE Energy Foundation. Sponsors also included Ford Motor Company; MGM Grand Detroit; Fifth Third Bank; Gregory Ter-rell & Company; Alice G. Thompson; Clark Hill PLC; Comerica Bank; Detroit Behavioral Institute; Jane Fernanders; GAA Manufactur-ing and Supply Chain Management; Laura Hughes; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Quicken Loans Family of Companies; The Skillman Foundation; UAW-Ford National Programs Center; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan; Wayne State University School of Social Work; Detroit Area Agency on Aging; Detroit Future City; First Independence Bank; Hope Academy; New Detroit, Inc.; Alvin D. & Mar-go A. Smith; St. John Providence; StarrVis-ta & Vista Maria; Straight Gate International Church; and Thomas & Tanya Traylor. For further information about Black Family Development, Inc., contact 313.758.0150, or visit our website at www.blackfamilydevelop-ment.org.

Dr. Gerald K. Smith Humanitarian Award recipients. (l to r) Hon. Thomas F. Stallworth III; Shirley Stancato; John VanCamp; Addie D. Williams; Doug Ross; Mr. Saunders accepting for his son, Tony D. Saunders.

Dr. Ann Smith; Scholarship Recipients, Hershell Bell and Cassandra Herr with Black Family Develop-ment, (BFDI) COO, Kenyatta Stephens and Alice G. Thompson, CEO, BFDI

Alice G. Thompson, and Faye Nelson, Vice Pres-ident, Public Affairs, DTE Energy and President, DTE Energy Foundation.

Tonya Allen, President and CEO, The Skillman Foundation and Daughter; The Hon. Alma Stallworth; Misha Stallworth; and guest.

(l to r) BFDI Board Chair, Dee Dee McKinney Odom, Director of Public Affairs, MGM Grand; Alice G. Thompson; and BFDI Board Vice Chair, Elaine Lewis, Vice President, Public Affairs & Strategic Planning, Detroit Tigers, Inc.

Kenyatta and Walter Stephens with their son.

BFDI staff, Tayler Thompson, Ashley Ballard; Cynthia Williams; Tanya Traylor and Cynthia McDaniel

Alice G. Thompson,(center) next to Michael Turner, Chief of Staff, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. Standing behind, Daralene Nero, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department; pictured with other department staff and guests.