2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards

The Riverside County Workforce Development Board Honors Ten Youth Awardees of the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards

Ten Riverside County youth joined over 200 individuals on Friday, August 4^th at the March Field Air Museum to receive the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Award. The 18^th annual event was hosted by Emmy Award winning journalist and broadcaster Christina Pascucci. The keynote address was given by Colonel Amee C. Howard and special remarks were made from Dr. Tim Gramling, Dean of School of Business at California Baptist University. Dignitaries in attendance included Congressman Mark Takano, Senator Richard Roth, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Riverside County Supervisors Kevin Jeffries, Karen Spiegel, and Yxstian Gutierrez, City of Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera, City of Perris Mayor Michael Vargas, and Riverside City Councilmember Chuck Conder.

This year’s recipients were:

1. Alexia Williams, Indio
2. Betsabe Esquer Cervantes, Lake Elsinore
3. Carlos Garcia Aragon, Hemet
4. Eric Farias, Rubidoux
5. Juleyssy Barrios-Yaque, Lake Elsinore
6. Leslye Nunez-Rodriguez, Perris
7. Manuel Jara-Alvarez, Rubidoux
8. Mary Zakiya Johnson, Hemet
9. Mia Byers, Indio
10. Vashti Martinez, Perris

In spite of difficult and sometimes tragic situations, these young people have been identified as leaders in their communities, determined to earn a high school diploma, and/or in pursuit of a post-secondary education. Applications for the awards are submitted from the Youth Opportunity Centers on behalf of the youth to the Riverside County Workforce Development Board. Application packets contain biographies, letters of recommendation, and any other recognitions or accomplishments.

Application packets are reviewed by a committee that consists of Workforce Development Board members. They are evaluated and scored based on the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship.

Awardees each received $2,500 educational scholarships, a trophy award, legislative certificates, and recognition at the award ceremony.

The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards Program is named after local, state and federal workforce advocate, Jamil Dada. Mr. Dada currently serves as the Riverside County Workforce Development Board Vice Chair, is a longtime member of the California Workforce Development Board in Sacramento, and the National Association of Workforce Boards, in Washington D.C. The annual event and youth scholarships are funded through generous contributions from local businesses, community partners, non-profit agencies, and net proceeds from event tickets sales.

For more information or to donate to the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards program, please contact Riverside County Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, by email at  [email protected].