NEED awards scholarships, honors community members

The 61st annual Negro Emergency Education Drive scholarship awards dinner was held May 3 at the Wyndham Grand in downtown Pittsburgh. This year’s theme was “We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams!”

The Negro Emergency Education Drive, or NEED, was established in 1963. In addition to scholarships, the nonprofit college access program assists students and parents with financial aids forms, post-secondary educational opportunities, admission test preparation and essay and resume writing.

According to President and CEO Marcia Sturdivant, the group awards approximately $1 million in scholarships yearly, all covered by donations. NEED has awarded $49 million in scholarships to more than 44,000 college students.

“Our mission is to help students enroll in and complete college,” Sturdivant stated. “We need an educated workforce, and we educate and advocate for higher education.”

Fifty local students, selected by school nominations, were invited to the dinner.

In addition to the students, NEED leaders wanted to celebrate community honorees, who “have supported us and represent the values of NEED,” according to Sturdivant.

Honorees included:Honorary dinner chairs – Milton and Jerry Ann Allen, founders of Allen Place Community Services Inc.

Community Inspiration award – Brenda Tate, retired Pittsburgh police officer

Lifetime Achievement award – Kim Berkeley Clarke, retired Allegheny County court judge

Education Vanguard award – Anthony Mitchell Sr., professor emeritus at Penn State University

Jerry Ann Allen received her master’s degree in health management systems from Carnegie Mellon University. Her husband received a doctoral degree in plant and soil science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In 1985, the two began introducing health and wellness and disease prevention programs through the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Pittsburgh. The Allens began their nonprofit in 2009 after purchasing the former Chatham Elementary School.

Currently, Jerry Ann Allen mentors nursing students with NEED through Pathways to African American Nurses.

Monroeville resident Mitchell was recognized for his educational activism and support of community organizations that provide services to African American students.

During Mitchell’s 37 years at Penn State, he established several educational initiatives that advanced education among traditionally underrepresented groups.

In the 1990’s, Mitchell developed “Bring Your ‘A’ Game,” a workshop that provided healthy racial identity to Black youth. He also collaborated with community organizations such as Pittsburgh Coalition Against Substance Abuse, the National Rites of Passage Institute, Hill House Young Father’s Program and Unity Consultants to provide intervention and educational programs.

Upon retirement, Penn State Greater Allegheny created the Anthony B. Mitchell Anti-Racism and Social Justice Programming Fund in honor of his service and outreach contributions.

“I am truly humbled to receive this distinguished NEED award for education and community service,” Mitchell said. “It recognizes my belief in the African humanistic principle ‘Ubuntu,’ which translated means ‘I am because we are.’ ”

NEED is located in The Law and Finance Building on 429 Fourth Ave. in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.needld.org.