The Acts of Kindness Awards Gala - Award Nominees
Instructions: (1) Read the nominees' biographical information below.
(2) To vote, click on the picture of the nominee of your choice.
(3) Nominee(s) with the highest number of votes will be deemed the award winner.
(2) To vote, click on the picture of the nominee of your choice.
(3) Nominee(s) with the highest number of votes will be deemed the award winner.
Dr. Tony e. medley, sr.
Dr. Tony Medley, Sr., Senior Pastor at Deliverance Temple Ministries, in Baltimore, Maryland, has rescued prostitutes, drug dealers, addicts, the homeless, the jobless, the hungry, the abused, and so many more, from a life that would have ultimately lead to a path of destruction, by providing the Baltimore community with the essential tools needed to live an Abundant Life. These tools include a Food and Clothing Program, a Soup Kitchen Program, Employment Day, an Addiction Recovery Program, and Your Dose of Deliverance, just to name a few. He has provided a way out for those whose only option were those things associated with “the streets,”. Lives continue to be changed because of his urgent response
bette mcleod
Bette McLeod has always been active in the community. She is a seasoned educator of 35 years within the public school system of Prince Georges County, Maryland. She has been a motivational speaker and a leader in PG County and in the African American Community for more than 40 years. She was a participant in the March on Washington D.C., in 1963, which is one of the largest political rallies for human rights in the history of the United States. Bette McLeod is now retired, though at age 82, she continues to remain active in the community and is known for her insight into the rich culture of African Americans, dispelling myths about Black History, storytelling, laughing, joking, demonstrations, audience participation and just plain fun.
cheriss may
Cheriss May is a visual journalist and educator. She is passionate about history, culture and storytelling through photography and graphic design. Cheriss has a long history of serving the community and lending a hand when help is needed – from delivering phone books, to working in her aunt and uncle’s BBQ restaurant, to adding soap and counting quarters at her dad’s carwash, to selling snacks out of her dorm room when the vending machine in the lobby broke down, to tutoring kids at the YMCA. Cheriss’ professional work experience in the daily news business includes: Gannett, European-Pacific Stars & Stripes, the Washington Post, and USA Today. As an educator, Cheriss is a professor at University of Maryland, College Park, and
Howard University. To celebrate and encourage diversity in individuals and communities, Cheriss founded Unified Soul (www.lovewhoiamstore.com), an on-line boutique offering “Love Who I Am” t-shirts and other fashion apparel.
Howard University. To celebrate and encourage diversity in individuals and communities, Cheriss founded Unified Soul (www.lovewhoiamstore.com), an on-line boutique offering “Love Who I Am” t-shirts and other fashion apparel.
teresa ruby-menendz
Teresa Rigby-Menendez is a former Baltimore City Police Officer, whose law enforcement career came to an abrupt end 4 years ago, when while assisting a motorist, her stopped cruiser was struck by an oncoming vehicle on I-83, pushing the service vehicle into Teresa’s and causing her to fall off the highway and onto a parking lot 30 feet blow. She is still recovering physically and psychologically, but Teresa attributes her support system for her progress. Teresa Believes a support system is important to trauma victims, and has created a clothing line, Survivor Wear Inc., to support victims of traumatic injuries. Not only is it in support, but the proceeds are donated to the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, which is a great cause and a solution to continue to help those with brain injuries.
Deborah shipman
Deborah Shipman – sees the need for change and devotes her time doing something about it. She is driven by passion and a vision for a better future, especially for those who are less fortunate. Deborah is very involved in her community and a civil rights advocate. She is an active supporter of a the Re-Entry Roundtable for Prince George’s County, MD, a diverse group of individuals and organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of returning citizens from jails and prisons in Prince George’s County, MD. It was organized in December, 2010, with the goal to explore the re-entry process of ex-offenders (later termed “returning citizens”) from both federal, state and county institutions. Membership includes concerned citizens, returning citizens, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and governmental representatives. At Reid Temple African American Episcopal Church, in Glenn Dale, MD, Deborah was active in the prison ministry and continues to be active in the AME Reflections of God Ministry of Dance.
As a mother of two disabled children, Deborah is also an advocate for those with mental disabilities. She attends community meetings and reaches out to local delegates to heighten awareness on issues concerning the disabled. Deborah’s life mission is to speak out on behalf of those who can’t, to ensure their ability to participate in the civil and political life of the society without discrimination or repression. Deborah also helps during elections, by being an Election Judge, ensuring the proper and orderly voting at her local precinct.
As a mother of two disabled children, Deborah is also an advocate for those with mental disabilities. She attends community meetings and reaches out to local delegates to heighten awareness on issues concerning the disabled. Deborah’s life mission is to speak out on behalf of those who can’t, to ensure their ability to participate in the civil and political life of the society without discrimination or repression. Deborah also helps during elections, by being an Election Judge, ensuring the proper and orderly voting at her local precinct.
cynthia brooks
Cynthia Brooks, daughter of the late Bea Gaddy, is Executive Director of the Bea Gaddy Family Center, Inc., in Baltimore, MD. The late Bea Gaddy founded the Patterson Park Emergency Food Center in 1981. When Bea Gaddy died in 2001, determined to continue the dinner tradition, Cynthia took over the center. She and six other volunteers operate the center. Today, the Bea Gaddy Family Center serves thousands on Thanksgiving Day. With the help of donations from the public, partnerships with major corporations, and numerous volunteers, each year, the Bea Gaddy Family Center prepares and provides meals to as many as 50,000, who are poor, homeless, elderly, shut-in, or just in need. The Center also provides help and assistance through Aids education, a clothing closet, food pantry, furniture bank, baby rack, housing, juvenile justice program, shelter for women and children, and so much more.
The Nominees voting period starts at 6:00:00 am ET on 01/18/16 and ends at 11:59:59 pm ET on 01/29/16 (hereafter, "Nominees Voting Period").
During the Nominees Voting Period, each of the Finalist Entries will be posted on the Site for public voting. To vote for a Finalist Entry in each of the four (4) Categories, during the Nominees Voting Period, eligible individuals 18 years of age or older may visit the Site using a computer or mobile device and following the instructions provided, view each of the Finalist Entries in the four (2) Categories and click on the applicable "Vote" button to cast your vote for your favorite Finalist Entry in each Category. Limit one (1) vote submission per email address per Category per day. Additional votes received from the same email address in excess of the stated daily limitation will be void.
During the Nominees Voting Period, each of the Finalist Entries will be posted on the Site for public voting. To vote for a Finalist Entry in each of the four (4) Categories, during the Nominees Voting Period, eligible individuals 18 years of age or older may visit the Site using a computer or mobile device and following the instructions provided, view each of the Finalist Entries in the four (2) Categories and click on the applicable "Vote" button to cast your vote for your favorite Finalist Entry in each Category. Limit one (1) vote submission per email address per Category per day. Additional votes received from the same email address in excess of the stated daily limitation will be void.
