Dr. Adelaide Luvenia Sanford, passionate national advocate for African-centered education for students of African descent, guiding light for families and educators, and compassionate leader of leaders, was honored recently with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Technical Assistance Clinic, surrounded by honored guests, loving family, and associates from an array of fields. The Hon. Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York, presented the award.

Under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. Valerie Durrah, NTAC is a strategic partner and advisor to philanthropists, foundations, government and political entities, public institutions, grassroots nonprofits, faith-based institutions, and more. NTAC’s annual White Gala is in its 17th year.

In the photo above, Dr. Sanford, foreground, far left, is seated with: back row, from far right: Rev. Dr. Kanyere Eaton, Rev. Adriene Thorne, Carla Hunter Ramsey and MetroPlus Board member; middle row, from far left, Cassandra Grant, Gregorio Mayers, Esq.; Onida Coward Mayers, Dr. Evelyn Castro, Dr. Jan Robinson McCray, Hon. Wavny Toussaint, Edna Wells Handy, Esq, Rev. Sylvia Kinard, Esq, Deborah L. Johnson, Gregory Anderson, the Hon. Ed Towns, Gwen Towns, Anthony Wells, Counsel General Elias Levy; and foreground (from Dr. Sanford’s left), Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver Durrah, Rev. Dr. Karen Daughtry, and Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry.

Details of the event and a transcription of the wise words Dr. Sanford delivered to NTAC guests will be placed in an upcoming issue of Our Time Press, for whom Dr. Sanford has been a lifeline in the early years of struggle and a source of constant inspiration for nearly three decades. The impact of her work with Brooklyn’s public school system can be seen weekly in these pages.

-Bernice Elizabeth Green
& David Mark Greaves