By Journalist Ms. Jones
HARTFORD, CT – “It feels very accomplished [to be having our 4th Annual HBIU Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards]. For The Presidential Award, you have to do volunteer service, at least 4,000 hours of volunteer service to humanitarian endeavors. That is very important. How are you helping your community?… They want to see that you’re giving back to your community,” said Chancellor Dr. Dornett McIntosh, Founder of Heart Bible International University (HBIU) who distributed the awards.
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards, also known as The President’s Call to Service Award, were issued on Sunday, August 4th at The Hartford Marriott during The 4th Annual HBIU Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala. It was a Black & White Affair. Participants wore black, white, gold, or silver. The President’s Award is awarded by the sitting President of the United States. It was founded by The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003 through an executive order by Former President George W. Bush. The goal is to honor outstanding citizens who exhibit outstanding service to their communities, encouraging people to live a life of service. The recipients received The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a trophy, a congratulatory letter from President Joe Biden, a medallion, a personalized certificate, and a pin for their exceptional community service! There were several government officials honored. One was Peekskill’s own, former Mayor Andre Rainey.
“It feels amazing [to be honored]. It’s a blessing to be a blessing… I’ll continue making a difference in the community, trying to help the next generation on their guidance in the positive direction where they’re supposed to be … and be the best leader I could possibly be… I’m very thankful to the organization. To see so much black excellence in one room is inspiring,” said Rainey, who was the youngest mayor of Peekskill, and is President of Noo Moves Entertainment and Chairperson for The National Parents Association. “There’s more political aspirations inside my heart right now. I just haven’t chosen the time yet…There’s some bills that we’re trying to get passed, like The Shared Parenting Bill… And if things succeed, it might be something simple. But, if they don’t succeed, it may be something a little bit [higher and more] prestigious.”
Dr. Arceola Fair-Goin, better known as Miz Meau in the community, was honored. It came at a time when she needed it the most.
“It’s amazing to be acknowledged. Not that I was doing it for acknowledgement… It surprised me at one of my hardest times… Never doubt that Jesus is wonderful. I never doubt that He is always on time with things. I’ve been going through. I needed this to actually pick me up instead of me picking others up. We do the fundraisers for mental health and suicide prevention. We do the fundraisers for cancer awareness. We do it for sickle cell. We do it for Alzheimer’s and dementia. We do fundraisers for whatever we can do them for and now I’m down emotionally and mentally. I need help. This is a privilege. I needed this,” said Miz Meau.
Chancellor Dr. McIntosh decided to add an additional award this year, The Black Excellence Award. This award was created to honor influential leaders all over the world who have worked to enhance the lives of many. All recipients of The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award received a Black Excellence Award. There were several that received The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in the past that received a Black Excellence Award during the gala.
“[The] Black Excellence Award, that is something that I have put in place because I want to elevate our people… I wanted to do something to promote Black excellence within our community, within the arts, dance, music, drama, you name it… Social workers, teachers, professional workers, entrepreneurs… Black excellence! This is going to be a yearly thing. It is also connected to the Black Excellence Global Enterprise. This enterprise is to help entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, to get started in their business. So those who need maybe $5,000 [or] $10,000 to start their business, our goal is to help raise money to help minorities,” said Chancellor Dr. McIntosh.
Honorees included people from various sectors of the community, including first responders and clergy. Dr. Penny Tate is a minister who received a Black Excellence Award!
“It felt very great [to receive The Black Excellence Award] because I do have excellence in me. I love being out there helping in the community, especially our Black young generation to let them know that there [are] more things in life…. I [mentor] youth. I reform [the] homeless. [I help] people that are having hard times, that are working, but still need to get provision of food. Some families need help with rent…. The biggest thing I love is to go out on the corner and reach out to people that are lost and lonely,” said Dr. Tate whose ministry is called LEO which stands for Let’s Evangelize Outreach. “Every Saturday I get from Trader Joe’s, Panera Bread, Whole Foods, and I’ve now got Target. So, I take that food, I distribute it. I set it up for cases of people with emergencies like fires. I deliver it to elderly people. I also bring it to halfway houses… I’m about to do a school backpack [giveaway] for the children at the end of the month.”
Honorees from all over the country and other continents received awards. One recipient was a king!
“It is an honor to be receiving this [Black Excellence] Award… It’s an honor to be part of [the ceremony]… This is my second award, but my first Black Excellence Award,”said HRH King Geoffrey Wayabire of the Bugwere Kingdom in Uganda who gave a speech at the gala and received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award last year. He pastors and oversees hundreds of churches in Uganda and welcomes Americans to visit.
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