This weekend, District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell and several other community service leaders were presented with 2022 Pinnacle Leadership Awards. The honors were bestowed by the Fortitude Education and Cultural Development Center, Inc. (FECDC).
“Being recognized among a group of such astute leaders truly is an honor,” Rowell said. “I accept this honor on behalf of the people of South Fulton, and I thank them for the privilege of letting me serve them as we build the best city in the metro area.”
The 21st Annual Pinnacle Awards Luncheon was held on Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway. FGTV’s Shaunya Chavis-Rucker and FOX 5’s Deidra Dukes and Joi Dukes served as the mistresses of ceremony.
A total of 11 honorees were recognized for excellence in their communities, outstanding leadership skills, personal fortitude and dedication to enhancing the quality of life of others. Among the additional honorees were South Fulton resident Deborah Robinson Herring and Dr. Gyimah Whitaker. Several scholarship recipients were also honored, including Westlake alumna Maria Sneed.
Herring is a 30-year member of the East Point / College Park Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a Delta Air Lines Chairman’s Club Honoree. She is a passionate voting rights activist who has followed in the footsteps of her parents and voted in every election.
Whitaker has dedicated over 20 years to educating students and training educators. She’s a former A. Philip Randolph Elementary School teacher and former Area Superintendent of the South Learning Community. She’s currently the Fulton County Schools Deputy Chief Academic Officer.
Sneed graduated from Westlake High School in 2022. She was certified as a community health worker by Morehouse School of Medicine and is currently a freshman at Howard University majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. She plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a pediatrician.
“These honorees represent diverse fields but share a common history of commitment and dedicated services to the community,” FECDC President Minnie Miller expressed in her greetings to luncheon attendees. “This esteemed group is truly deserving of this recognition.”
FECDC, established in 1999, delivers services and resources to youth and seniors in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Past programming has focused on financial literacy, nutritional support and senior fraud awareness.
The proceeds from the Pinnacle Awards are used to fund scholarships for students and future programming.
Photo: District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell accepts her Pinnacle Leadership Award from the Fortitude Education and Cultural Development Center, Inc. (FECDC). (Credit: Observer Staff)
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