By Joe Irrizary
The YMCA of Delaware celebrated the accomplishments of black youth for the thirtieth year in a row in Wilmington.
“It’s not how you start, but it’s all about how you finish,” said Yvonne Harvey Williams to children and teens using the Walnut Street YMCA for after-school programming.
Harvey Williams is an author and entrepreneur, who served as the keynote speaker for the 30th Annual Black Achievers Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
Black Achievers is a college prep and career-building program that encourages young people to develop and pursue educational and career goals with the help and guidance of African-American mentors from many different career fields.
“It’s really cool to have kids say, ‘I know someone that works in that building, or I met an engineer from this building’ to see that those career paths are possible if they choose to,” said program director Anesha Truesdale.
Local businesses help contribute to the program at the Walnut Street Y.
“All of the leaders from the community come here and participate, and they mentor our kids,” said Jesus de las Salas, Executive Director of the Walnut Street YMCA.