Salute to YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Gala Celebrated Achievements | People

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - David Garibaldi, known around the world for his unique stage entertainment, wowed guests of the Salute to YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Gala as he created before their eyes four 6 ft tall painted masterpieces that were each auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Through Garibaldi’s art, the YMCA emphasized painting a vision for your destiny. He himself became an internationally known because he focused from a young age on his goal and ultimately transformed his gift into a means for impacting the world.

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Salute to YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Gala is a celebration of the potential of young people when inspired by caring adult role models who are volunteers of the YMCA. The thirty-seven professionals who were honored as 2011 YMCA Achievers are also giving of their time to nurture young people through the YMCA’s college readiness program. Also honored were eight teens selected to receive YMCA scholarships, including Breana Marie Nicholson – who was honored as 2011 YMCA Teen Achiever of the Year. Lisa Martin-Patterson and Olivia Darks were honored as YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program Community Volunteers of the Year. James T. Cowan, MBA, and Chrystal Davis, were honored as YMCA Adult Achievers of the Year.  For the complete list of honorees, please visit the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati website at www.myy.org and click on Black & Latino Achievers.

The YMCA also partnered with ArtsWave, to showcase local multi-cultural artistic talent  with work from Elementz (designer – Forty); aim Cincinnati (designer – Tyson Betts); Cincinnati Black Theatre Company (designer – Robert Harris); Bi-Okoto Multicultural Institute (designer – Frank Satogata); Eye of the Arts Foundation (designer – Annie Ruth); and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. All of the ArtsWave paintings are on display at the downtown Macy’s. 

One of the largest regional programs of its kind, the YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program motivates students of color to further their education and goals with help from successful, professional role models. Since its beginning, the Program has served over 6,000 teens, awarded over $200,000 in scholarships, assisted youth with over $4 million dollars in awarded scholarships and engaged more than 4,500 adult volunteers through a network of corporate and community partners.

Note: Event photography is by Mark Bowen.