Last night millions tuned in to the 12th annual BET Awards! Of course BCG was there and other than the amazing Whitney Houston Tribute, we loved the Shine a Light portion where BET spotlighted those who give back! David Boone Jr. was one of those lucky people, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, David is the inaugural salutatorian at the MC²STEM High School, a Minds Matter participant, and holds a school record for running. According to BET.com, David’s interests include engineering, poetry and changing the world, which he’s helping to do by mentoring younger students in his community and by becoming a member of Cleveland’s SLAMU spoken-word program. As co-founder of STEALTH, MC²’s engineering club, he discovered a passion for innovation and, in turn, opportunities in the field of engineering. During his sophomore year in high school, David worked with engineers at General Electric and completed a summer internship with Rockwell Automation. He then went on to work with Lockheed Martin during his junior and senior year. Despite facing obstacles such as health issues and homelessness, David maintained a 4.0 average and a part-time job.
He’ll be attending Harvard University in the fall and is concentrating in electrical engineering and computer science. His goal: to return to Cleveland and influence the great change necessary to help the youth thrive. Way to go David, we wish you the best of luck at Harvard!
Vy Higginsen was another change-maker spotlighted on the BCG Stage, the founder of the Mama Foundation. Vy Higginsen is a noted author, playwright, radio and TV personality who has gained a reputation and won many awards for providing excellent products and services to African-American audiences. After a decade behind the microphone at major New York radio stations (WBLS-FM, WWRL-AM, WRKS-FM). Vy published and edited Unique NY, a lifestyles magazine designed for African-Americans and others who want to know where to go and what to do in and around the New York City Metropolitan area. Inspired by international tours of Mama, I Want to Sing which visited Europe, Japan, and the United States, Vy Higginsen created the Mama Foundation for the Arts (MFA) in 1998. 
The show helped re-establish Harlem as a world artistic and cultural center. Executive Director Vy Higginsen created Gospel for Teens to pass the music on from generation to generation. Gospel for Teens Program is a program of The Mama Foundation for the Arts and Vy’s Higginsen’s School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts that has grown to be a highly respected and influential program for youth between the ages of 13 and 19. Thank you Vy for your efforts to give back through the arts to learn more about the Mama Foundation and Gospel for Teens visit the www.mamafoundation.org.
And last but certainly not least, the humanitarian award, was one that to say the least is certainly deserving. As long as I can remember whenever there was injustice on the front lines was Reverand Al Sharpton. I had a chance to meet Rev. Al in 2011 when he voyaged to Phoenix, AZ to stand up for the rights of those who would have been affected by the recently ruled on SB 1070. Rather it has been marching with Dr. King, forming the National Action Network with that saying we shall never forget “No Justice, No Peace,” Al Sharpton is the man! Some of the initiatives of the National Action network include: Membership, Social Justice, Criminal Justice, Decency, Education, Anti-Violence and Voter Protection. As one of the nation’s most-renowned civil rights leaders, Rev. Sharpton has been praised by President Barack Obama as “the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden,” and by former President George W. Bush who said that “Al cares just as much as I care about making sure every child learns to read, write, add and subtract.” National Action Network, under Rev. Sharpton’s leadership has become the most active social justice organization in the country and President Obama said it candidly in his keynote address at NAN’s 20th anniversary Keepers of the Dream Awards Dinner, that National Action Network is not the National “Satisfaction” Network, it is the National “Action” Network, highlighting that “Action” is what Rev. Sharpton and NAN are about.
The year 2012 has been highlighted by NAN activism around key cases and the organization led the nationwide rallying calls for justice for Trayvon Martin including calling for reform in states that practice Stand Your Ground laws. Rev. Al noted the celebrity support received on behalf of Trayvon Martin from celebrities like Diddy and so many more. He said he loved and supported our President Barack Obama; No matter who you vote for, most importantly you need to vote. This election he said is not about Obama, but about your mama. Noting healthcare and medicare which are highly debate agenda items for our country int this election year. BCG sends a sincere congratulations to Rev. Al Sharpton on his well deserved Humanitarian Award. To learn more about the National Action Network visit nationalactionnetwork.net.
Congratulations to all the change-makers spotlighted on last night’s BET Awards stage, and Kudos to BCG on a phenomenal awards show stage.
I am thrilled that BET featured Vy Higginsen in the Shine-A-Light recognition. She has been uplifting Harlem for many years and providing opportunities for talented entertainers to preserve the music for current and future generations
It’s great to see deserving people receive recognition for their hard work. Good job, Vy!
David Boon tutored my son Mel when he staeted his first school year at MC2STEM high school. Mel is now a junior and hopes to start college classes this spring. We are so very proud of Mr. Boon!!!!! We expext great things from him in the near future.