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Honorary Chairperson
Dr. Brian Harte, President, Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Honorees
Event Chairperson: Fedearia Nicholson-Sweval
New Format: This year's festive Gala will include a reception, sit-down dinner, dessert station, auction, awards, entertainment, dancing, a great deal of fun, and networking opportunities.
The Gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. for mobile auction registration and guest registration.
To purchase tickets or sponsorships click HERE or contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-3113, email info@projectgradakron.org, or stop by our office at 400 W. Market St. Akron, OH 44303.
For information about sponsorships, tickets, or advertisements, please view the forms below.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Ads, Tickets, & Sponsorship Forms
View 12th Annual ADC Gala Image Gallery
View Program Souvenir Book
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2017 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 11th Annual
When: Thursday, October 5, 2017
Where: Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street (downtown) Akron, OH 44308
Event Chairpersons: Fedearia Nicholson-Sweval, Dean of Student Success at Stark State College and Stephanie York, Esq., Vice President at Hennes Communications.
Format: The celebration includes a 5 pm reception for honorees, sponsors, & VIP patrons; at 5:30 pm, all guests will be able to move throughout the venue and enjoy delicious food stations and participate in the auctions and raffles; and at 7:00 pm, we will gather in the ballroom for the awards program and the conclusion of the evening.
For information about sponsorships, tickets, or advertisements, please contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-3113 or email info@projectgradakron.org.
2016 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 10th Annual
When: Thursday, October 6, 2016
Where: Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street (downtown) Akron, OH 44308
Event Chairpersons: S. Theresa Carter & Jacqueline Silas-Butler
New format:
We will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a private reception for honorees, sponsors, and other VIP patrons.
At 6:00 p.m., all guests will be able to move throughout the venue and enjoy delicious food stations, participate in the auction and raffles, and enjoy the entertainment in the various rooms.
At 7:15 p.m., we will gather in the ballroom for the awards program and the conclusion of the evening.
For information about sponsorships, tickets, or advertisements, please contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-3113 or email info@projectgradakron.org.
2015 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 9th Annual
When: Thursday, October 1, 2015
Where: St. George's Fellowship Hall, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH 44333
Event Chairpersons: Traci Buckner, Katerina Pappas, Esq., and Mona Sarkar, Esq.
2014 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 8th Annual
When: Thursday, October 2, 2014
Where: St. George's Fellowship Hall
3204 Ridgewood Road • Akron, OH 44333
Event Chairpersons: Judi Hill and Stephanie "Stevie" Turner
2014 Community Service Honorees
Bishop F. Josephus "Joey" Johnson II and Pastor Cathy L. Johnson and The House of the Lord
2014 Honorees - Buchtel Alumni
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Thomas DeBord
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Howard Hewett
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Stacey Hodoh
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Kelley Coleman Walton
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor

Together, we are making a difference in our Communities. The difference speaks volumes about who we are, what we value, and the real legacy we want to leave for the next generation. At OMNOVA Solutions that's how we feel about community involvement, and it's part of the fabric of the way we do business. Our gifts of money, time, talents help demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the communities where we work and live.
Scholar Sponsor
Achiever Sponsors
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Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, Ohio
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Kent State University
Mentor Sponsors
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Akron General Health System
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Buckeye Community Health Plan
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Dianne & Herbert Newman
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State and Federal Communications, Inc.
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Summa Health System
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Walmart
Collaborator Sponsors
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Akron Children's Hospital
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Jacqueline & Lawrence Butler
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Dr. Gregory & Mrs. Judi Hill
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KeyBank
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Roger and Judy Read
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Rubber City Radio Group, Inc.
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Stark State College
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Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service
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The Maynard Family Foundation
Media Sponsor
•Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com
Project GRAD Akron's Achieving Dreams Celebrations - Past Events, Speakers, and Honorees
2013 Achieving Dreams Celebration – 7th Annual
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013
Location: St. George’s Family Center, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH
Event Chairpersons: Roxia Boykin & Iris Harvey
Community Service Honorees
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Bob Kulinksi
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Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home - William Calhoun
Buchtel Alumni Awards
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Young Alumni Award
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Distinguished Service to Humanity Award
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Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs, MD
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Leon Harris
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Lifetime Achievement Award
2012 Achieving Dreams Celebration – 6th Annual
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2012
Location: St. George’s Family Center, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH
Event Chairpersons: Iris Harvey & Bernett L. Williams
Honorary Chairpersons: Attorneys Dianne and Herbert Newman
Honorees: Celebrating Buchtel Alumni
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Memorial - Stanley M. Bober, CPA
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Community Service - Magistrate Sharon Hairston Dennis
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Young Alumni – Brittany Grimes Zaehringer, Esq.
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Distinguished Service to Humanity
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John Saros, Esq.
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Marilyn Sanders Mobley, Ph.D
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Dr. Robert Stone & Mrs. Rochelle Dienoff Stone
2011 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 5th Annual
Date: October 27, 2011
Location: Quaker Station
Event Chairpersons: Judi Bevly Hill & Margaret E. Williams
Honorary Chairperson: Eileen Burg
Honorees
Community Service Honoree
• Tuesday Musical Association - Barbara Feld, Executive Director
Distinguished Service to Humanity - Buchtel Alumni
• Gregory Hill, DO
• Kymberly "Kym" Alford Sellers
• Victoria Turner-King
Young Alumni Honoree - Buchtel Alumni
• Brandon Ford, RN, Esq.
Lifetime Achievement Honorees - Buchtel Alumni
• Melodie Morgan-Minott, MD
• Dianne Rubin Newman
• Herbert Newman, Esq.
• Judy Licklider Read & Roger Read
2010 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 4th Annual
Date: October 28, 2010
Location: Quaker Station
Event Chairpersons: Judi Bevly Hill & Margaret E. Williams
Honorary Chairperson: Eileen Burg
Honorees - Celebrating Buchtel Alumni
Distinguished Service to Humanity
• Betty Dalton
• Fred Gissendaner
• Gail C. Walker
Young Alumni Honoree
• Raynese Scott Fikes, DDS
Lifetime Achievement
• Nicholas T. George, Esq.
• Judge Carla D. Moore
• Edwin L. Parms, Esq.
2009 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 3rd Annual
Date: October 22, 2009
Location: Quaker Station
Event Chairperson: Debra Adams Simmons
Keynote Speaker: Dr. David L. Burnham (Buchtel graduate)
Honorees - Partnering to Achieve the Dream - Celebrating our Partners
Kent State University's Top Honoree
• Scott Curfman
The University of Akron's Top Honoree
• Dr. Deborah Owens-Fink
Additional persons were recognized from various departments at both universities.
2008 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 2nd Annual
Date: October 3, 2008
Location: Quaker Station
Event Chairperson: Jacqueline Silas-Butler
Honorary Chairpersons: Robert W. Briggs & Vivian Celeste Neal
Keynote Speaker: Glynis Wheeler Redwine, Esq. (Buchtel graduate)
Honorees
Project GRAD Akron Educator of the Year
• Dreama Mason
Project GRAD Akron Parent of the Year
• Pamela LeGrair
Project GRAD Akron Volunteers of the Year
• Deborah Cunningham
• Buchtel High School PTA - Diana Autry, President
2007 Achieving Dreams Celebration - 1st Annual
Date: October 24, 2007
Location: Tangier
Event Chairperson: S. Theresa Carter
Honorary Chairpersons: Dr. Luis Proenza & Dr. Sylvester Small
Keynote Speaker: Leon Harris (Buchtel graduate)
Honorees
Project GRAD Akron Educator of the Year
• Johnnette Snowden Curry
Project GRAD Akron Parent of the Year
• Russel C. Neal, Jr.
Project GRAD Akron Volunteers of the Year
• James E. Toles and Susan Vogelsang