By Eulene Inniss
The Association of Black Educators of New York, Inc. (ABENY), held its 46th Annual Scholarship and Award luncheon at Antun’s of Queens Village on Saturday June 15th 2024.
ABENY was incorporated in the 1960s by prominent Black educators to help combat the racist policies in schools and to be a voice in support of African American children being educated in New York City Public school system.
Over the years, ABENY evolved and adapted its goals to address the challenges of each generation. This year, under the leadership current of President Adrian Straker, fifteen scholarships of varying amounts $1.000 to $5.000 were presented to graduates of New York City public schools who are pursuing higher education.
The scholarships were created by various families who seek to preserve the legacy and honor of persons who exhibited a history of advocating for social, educational and overall systemic changes to the benefit those of the African Diaspora.
Mekaeli Johanna Cox, recipient of the Ollie Willins-McClean scholarship was awarded $5.000.00 dollars in her memory. Sister Ollie was a fixture in the Brooklyn community. She was the Founder/Director of Sankofa International Academy, an African centered school. Sister Ollie was an activist, educator, advocate for social justice and a member of the General Service Steering Committee (GSA) for the reinternment of the ancestral remains unearthed at the site of the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan.
Scholar Mekaeli Cox is a 2023 graduate of the Frank Sinatra School of Arts. She majored in Vocal Performance, was President of the Black Student’s Council and held multiple leadership positions in her school and the community. This rising sophomore and Buntun-Walker Fellow at Pennsylvania State University stated with confidence, “I am pursuing a degree in Psychology with the goal of opening my own practice as a licensed child psychologist”.
She is a member of the Sign-Language Organization, a Dean’s list Honoree and named a ‘scholar of excellence’. Mekaeli has been appointed secretary of the Sign Language Association and will be the Public Relations Assistant leader for Cultural Affairs. She has proven to be a talented young adult with unlimited potential and her mother, Mrs. Christine Fothergill-Cox , beaming with adoration exclaimed, “I’m very proud of my daughter!’
This event garnished the support of elected officials and community leaders. New York State Senator Leroy Comrie challenged the scholarship winners to “explore their interest and expand their horizon”