Buffalo, N.Y. – The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative (CGLI)® announced its 2024 Pay It Forward Award recipients who were honored at the 13th annual Pay It Forward Awards held on November 7, 2024.
The 2024 Pay It Forward honorees are:
– Tracy Cooley, Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency
– Kareema Morris, Bury the Violence
– Felicia Walker, Presidio Network Solutions
The award recognizes personal and professional accomplishments and how those actions increase philanthropy in communities of color. Emphasis is placed on service to the community and educating the next generation, with a focus on showcasing community champions that reflect the multicultural and ethnic diversity of the CGLI mission which works to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color.
“We are honored to recognize these inspiring individuals who are sparking change in the lives of youth of color,” said Oswaldo Mestre, CGLI Chair. “The 2024 honorees demonstrate the CGLI’s ‘pay it forward’ mindset and are making an impact that will benefit youth in our community for years to come.”
The Pay it Forward Award is an esteemed recognition that the CGLI bestows upon an individual or organization. Since its inception in 2012, the CGLI has recognized dozens of outstanding individuals and organizations.
- The CGLI is committed to inspiring young people to make a difference and create the future they want to see. Additional 2024 highlights include:
- The recipients of the two community service awards that honor the legacy of the late Judge Hugh B. Scott are Tiffany Torres, Manager of Diversity and Belonging, Evergreen Health and Jonathan Evans, a student at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.
- The CGLI offers unique educational opportunities for youth of color in Western New York to spark curiosity about philanthropy and advocating for social change. In June, 11 high school students completed the 2024 Young Philanthropists program. They were honored at a Capstone Ceremony, during which they also awarded $1,500 grants to The Belle Center and Home Beneath Our Feet, Inc.
- Ten high school students participated in the CGLI’s Close Up program to Washington, D.C., which provides students with opportunities to learn about government and democracy, and engage with fellow high school peers from around the world.
Learn more about the CGLI and how it works to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing
youth of color in Western New York by visiting www.thecgli.org.
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About the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative
The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative® (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, exists to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. The CGLI works toward this mission through endowment building, engaging strategic partners, and intentional community connections. For additional information about the CGLI, please visit www.theCGLI.org.
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged longterm philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.