At Strategic Community Partners, we believe in leading with passion, excellence, integrity, and equity to build opportunity with and for communities. But this mission isn’t just ours - it’s all of ours.
Every day we see individuals and organizations within our community working alongside us towards this goal and striving for equity in their personal and professional lives. They are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods and help drive meaningful change for those around them. The Strategic Community Partners Annual Scholarship Fund aims to acknowledge and uplift youth and community leaders who are living this work and leading by example with passion, excellence, integrity, and equity.
In 2021, the SCP Annual Scholarship Fund uplifted three inspiring leaders, each of whom is serving their communities in a unique way. Meet the 2021 recipients below and stay tuned to our social media channels to see how the awards impact their mission-driven work.
For questions or inquiries about the SCP Annual Scholarship Fund, please contact Jenna Rote (jenna.rote@strategiccommunitypartners.org)
2021 AWARDEES
THE LIBERATION AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP
The Liberation Award and Scholarship provides resources for a young person excelling without family support and can be used for college tuition, as well as expenses beyond the classroom including, but not exclusive to rent, living expenses, educational conferences, instructional programs related to creative or artistic pursuits, graduate exam application fees, or textbooks.
2021 AWARDEE:
B’NATHANIEL ORLU
Sophomore, Morehouse College
B’Nathaniel Orlu was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and is proud to be a product of the Detroit Public School Community District. Growing up, B’Nathaniel attended Charles L. Spain Elementary and Middle School before graduating from Cass Technical High School.
During this time, B’Nathaniel developed a passion for community service and committed himself to learning about the gaps in his community and others like it, so that he could educate himself on ways to close those gaps. To accomplish the goals, B’Nathaniel participated in several extracurricular activities such as choir, the National Society of High School Scholars, Detroit Police Athletic League (Football), Youth Law Enforcement, Pathway of Excellence, Big Brother Big Sister, and several others.
After graduating from Cass Tech, B’Nathaniel continued his studies at Morehouse College, where he is currently a sophomore majoring in music (vocal performance) and minoring in business management. In addition to his work in the classroom, B’Nathaniel also serves as the Public Relations Manager for the Morehouse College Glee Club and as a Youth Ambassador for Detroit Parent Network, where he helps to connect families and community members with valuable resources. He is also a co-founder of the community service organization, Black Determine Mines (BDM).
In the future, B’Nathaniel plans to continue his commitment to community and aspires to one day serve as the President of the United States of America.
THE VILLAGE AWARD
It takes a village to raise our youth—and teachers are an undeniable part of the village. The Village Award is available to Detroit teachers and can be used for classroom/teacher supplies, including but not limited to: art supplies, books, clothes for students, etc.
2021 AWARDEE:
ALEXANDREA SOMERS
Elementary Teacher, Detroit Public Schools Community District
Alexandrea Somers (Also known as Drea) is an elementary teacher in Detroit and is entering her third year teaching a fourth grade class.
Before teaching, Drea graduated with a BA from the University of Michigan where she worked with Detroit, Ypsilanti, and Southfield youth through America Reads Tutoring Corp and Wolverine Pathways. She has a passion for liberatory education and community action.
When she’s not in the classroom, she’s teaching tap dance at Detroit Culture Youth Company, enjoying one of Detroit's many farmer’s markets, or playing a flute or saxophone.
THE COMMUNITY KEEPER AWARD
We believe in lifting up those who lift up others. The Community Keeper Award is presented to a community member who is leading in a nonprofit or community-based organization directly serving their neighbors, bringing their community together, and inspiring others to do their part.
2021 AWARDEE:
DEVON BUSKIN
Founder and President, Detroit City Lions Youth Club
As the product of a caring community of coaches, mentors, and teammates, Devon Buskin is a true believer in the developmental power of youth sports. For him, athletics offered an opportunity to explore his strengths and build the skills he needed to be successful later in life. This crucial experience is something Devon works to pass along to future generations as the Founder and President of The Detroit City Lions Youth Club (DCL)
Founded in 2018, DCL provides over 200 young people ages 5 to 15 with equitable access to sports and skill-building activities. Under Devon’s leadership, the organization has expanded from its original football program to include 10 unique athletic opportunities including basketball, baseball, soccer, cheer, and dance, lacrosse, robotics, chess, hockey, and volleyball. Many of DSL’s youth participate in multiple sports, keeping them engaged and active year-round. The organization also offers wraparound family services and academic support to help create well-rounded student-athletes and ensure that participants can take full advantage of future scholarship opportunities. With the ultimate goal of exposing and connecting youth to successful sport career pathways.
In addition to his role with DCL, Devon also serves as Director of Workforce Development at Greening of Detroit where he has led a Nationally recognized training program and employment of over 800 Detroit residents with a goal of 2500 into green-collar jobs that help revitalize their neighborhood and city. His passion for youth engagement also drives his involvement as the administrator of the organization’s Green Corps Youth Employment Program which employs over 100 students each summer, providing both work and college prep experience.
Over the course of his career, Devon has received several local and national recognitions for his work and mentorship including the 2015 National Leadership Award from the US. Department
of Labor, the 2009 and 2010 Parsons Brinkerhoff Leadership, the 2017 Excellence Under 40 leadership award, and was a 2018 Ford Motor Company Foundation Men of Courage recipient. Devon was a fellow with the Aspen Institute, in partnership with JP Morgan Chase in 2018, and most recently he was inducted into the Samuel C. Mumford High School Hall of Fame in 2019.
Devon is a proud graduate and product of Samuel C. Mumford High School and continued his education at Western Michigan University. He is a proud husband and father of four children and is blessed to have a strong support system of family, friends, and community members to support him in his work.