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Harlem YMCA Honors College-Bound Teens at 53rd Annual National Salute to Achievers in Industry Gala
Posted March 18, 2025 · Harlem YMCA PR
On March 13, the YMCA of Greater New York’s Harlem YMCA branch hosted its 53rd National Salute to Achievers in Industry Gala – honoring New York City students receiving scholarships from the Achievers in Industry (bai) Initiative. The gala will also celebrate corporate partner Harlem Hospital and present Tonya O. Parris, the Founder and Executive Director of the Parris Foundation, with the Dr. Leo B. Marsh Memorial Award, and Maurice Anderson, a high school senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy, with the Carrie Terrell Youth Achiever Award.
The Achievers in Industry initiative (bai) is designed to help college-bound teens navigate and excel in higher education through mentorship, career readiness opportunities, and financial support to help propel these teens into adulthood. Sirius XM Media executive Nicole (Nikki) Buchanan hosted the gala and world-renowned violinist and Jamaica YMCA alumnus and board member, Damien Escobar performed with the Abyssinian Baptist Church Youth Choir. This year’s gala theme is "Celebrating Success, Developing Leaders, and Cultivating Communities."
Supporting a class of 70 NYC teens each year, the bai initiative is composed of four primary elements: Professional Mentoring Program, College Tour, Corporate Scholarship Program, and Corporate Internship Program. These four elements connect young people with mentorship, internship, networking, and development opportunities that support their educational, social, and personal goals. The initiative enables students to gain a firsthand look at how a college campus functions via tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and provides scholarship amounts of $2,500 per eligible recipient to offset some of the students’ educational expenses. Through the bai initiative, the Harlem YMCA has honored 4,650 corporate executives, raised nearly $2.3M, and awarded 911 scholarship awards.
“Since its founding more than a century ago, the Harlem Y has been a partner and pillar of the Harlem community and empowered local children and teens with a diverse combination of programming and opportunities like the Achievers in Industry initiative,” said Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Tonight’s event is an opportunity to celebrate this year’s class of current and future leaders, as well as our partners who make this initiative – and its lasting, positive impact in the community – possible.”
“At the Harlem YMCA, we are proud to be a driving force in the Harlem community, opening doors to new opportunities for our youth through mentorship, internships, and our transformative college tour,” said Christopher Foster, Executive Director of the Harlem YMCA. “Our Achievers in Industry program supports academic success for local high school students, helping them bridge the gap between education and career aspirations. Through our collaborative efforts, we empower scholars with the resources, connections, and guidance they need to thrive both academically and professionally. This work is made possible by the steadfast support of our incredible sponsors. Looking toward the future, the Harlem YMCA, through the Achievers in Industry, remains unwavering in our mission to provide youth with the tools and opportunities they need to create successful futures.”
The Dr. Leo B. Marsh Memorial Award was established by the Achievers in Industry Committee in 1980 to commemorate Dr. Marsh – the founder of the Harlem Y’s bai program. Our 2025 honoree is Tonya O. Parris, the Founder and Executive Director of the Parris Foundation: S.T.E.M.ulating Minds and Magnifying Dreams. The Parris Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting educational opportunities and fostering awareness in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through scholarships and community outreach programs. Prior to the Parris Foundation, Tonya pursued a career in software engineering in the Financial Services industry. She graduated at the top of her class from SUNY Binghamton’s Watson School of Engineering, where she serves on their Advisory Committee, and has over 20 years of experience working for companies like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Deutsche Bank. Additionally, Tonya hosts her own college tours and is an advocate for increasing college accessibility to disadvantaged students.
The 2025 honoree for the Carrie Terrell Youth Achiever Award – named after the first and only woman to hold emeritus status at the Harlem Y – is the marvelous Maurice Anderson. Maurice is a dynamic and driven high school senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy. He was born and raised in Harlem and is actively involved in several programs at the Harlem YMCA, including Rowe Scholars. Outside the YMCA, he is a member of My Brother's Keeper, where he further showcases his leadership. Known for his innovation and willingness to take risks, Maurice is determined not only to gain admission to college, but also to graduate with the skills needed to become a mechanical engineer.
The Harlem YMCA will also present Youth Achiever Awards to Fatim Fofana and Awa Diarrassouba. Fatim and Awa are high-performing students at Thurgood Marshall Academy who visit the Harlem YMCA every day. The Harlem YMCA and its corporate partners also presented 8 Achievers Awards and 26 scholarships to an outstanding class of potential leaders of tomorrow.
The Deloitte Corporate Community Award is given to a corporation which has excelled as a leader in promoting opportunity, education, and personal growth for youth in the communities they serve. This year’s honoree is Harlem Hospital, whose award will be accepted by CEO Georges H. Leconte. Founded in 1897, Harlem Hospital is a cornerstone in the neighborhood that shares a similar history as the Harlem Y. The hospital offers programming to teenagers who are interested in pursuing careers in the medical field and provides around-the-clock access to health care for the Harlem community. Harlem Hospital’s commitment to the professional development of young people, as well as the prioritization of advancements in health and wellness, has made them exceptional partners that help bai students succeed.
The Harlem YMCA’s Achievers in Industry (bai) program was founded in 1971 by the late Dr. Leo B. Marsh, who was the first Black president of the Association of the YMCA and was committed to helping youth fulfill their dreams and aspirations. This venture was designed to unite the resources of home, school, and community, supporting young people in reaching their academic goals.
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About the YMCA of Greater New York
For more than 170 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has been helping all New Yorkers reach their full potential. As New York City’s leading nonprofit community service and wellness organization, the Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by providing access and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. We provide a place to play, to be healthy, and to give back. We give parents childcare, young adults job training, seniors a way to connect, and children a safe place to go. By bringing people together from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y improves overall health and well-being, ignites youth empowerment, and connects and supports diverse communities across New York City. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ymcanyc.
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