Ninth Annual Recognition Ceremony

Gamma Iota Boulé Foundation’s Recognition Program

This annual event is a major source of funds for our programmatic efforts within the Greater Rochester area. Your support empowers our ability to award academic scholarships and grants. We contribute thousands of dollars annually to support youth and their post-secondary educational efforts. In addition, we disseminate healthy living information, conduct food distribution programs such as Umoja Karamu: Cultural Unity Feast Celebrating “The Other Thanksgiving,” provide mentors and coaches for emerging professionals in our community, conduct youth leadership seminars, and most importantly, highlight and celebrate the past and present achievements and contributions by individuals of African descent in our community. These individuals serve as role models and help to uplift the Community. Gamma Iota Boulé Foundation’s Vision is to Transform Rochester into a highly attractive place for individuals of African descent to live in. This Program is one of the steps that we take to help make this Vision a reality.

Gamma Iota Boulé Foundation, Inc. was established in 2016 with the stated purpose of conducting charitable activities primarily in four areas: Healthy Living Awareness, Economic Development, Leadership Development, and Advancement of Education. Each year, we recognize an individual who has significantly contributed to one or more of our charitable areas of interest for a sustained number of years. We also recognize a young person who has excelled in one or more of the following areas:
Education, Community Service, Sports, and Arts & Culture. We present these awards in the name of Dr. Freddie L. Thomas and Dr. Alice Holloway Young respectively, two individuals of African descent who have demonstratively contributed to the Rochester Community in these areas. We also recognize an Archon and Archousa of the year. A member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé) is referred to as an Archon, and his spouse as an Aarchousa. These two awards are presented in the names of Thomas and Ermine Byas, two accomplished and well respected past members of our local Boulé. In addition, we award several scholarships to outstanding young scholars of African descent within our Community.

Your can support us by Purchasing tickets and having a wonderful time with us!