New Rochelle Youth Bureau honors youth and adult heroes with the Champions of Change Awards
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~ New Rochelle, NY- In honor of Black History Month, the New Rochelle Youth Bureau's Youth Council and the NAACP NRHS Youth Chapter joined forces to host the "Champions of Change" Awards Ceremony. The event took place on Friday, February 28th at 6 pm in City Hall's Council Chambers.

The inaugural ceremony recognized and celebrated the outstanding contributions of three youth and four adults to the New Rochelle community. The 2025 "Champions of Change" honorees were Isaac Evans, Harmony Evalee Hopwood, Maison Smith, Nathaniel (Nate) Adams III, Doneshia "Dee" Gordon, Imam Apprentice Talibudeen McCutchen, and Wayne A. Nelson Jr.

Isaac Evans, a junior at New Rochelle High School, is a multi-talented individual with a passion for drawing, writing, reciting poetry, creating video games, and running track. He is also an active member of the New Rochelle Council of Arts Youth Division and has participated in two Youth Bureau summer programs- photography and business.

Harmony Evalee Hopwood is a native of New Rochelle and an honor roll student at New Rochelle High School. During her freshman year, she became the youngest Youth Poet Laureate of Westchester County. She later took on a leadership role as vice president of the N.R.H.S. Poetry Club. Harmony is also a member of the NAACP Club and a two-time NAACP ACT-SO Gold Medalist.

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Maison Smith is a driven senior at New Rochelle High School with a passion for Social Studies and Business. He aspires to have a career in international business and uses his love for global relations to create meaningful change.

Nathaniel (Nate) Adams III was born and raised in the Bronx but has strong family connections to New Rochelle. He graduated from Purdue University and has dedicated himself to serving the community.

Doneshia "Dee" Gordon has been a teacher in New Rochelle for over twenty-five years, with the majority of her career spent at New Rochelle High School. Her love for literature and education led her to become a teacher, and she has made a lasting impact on her students.

Imam Apprentice Talibudeen McCutchen holds a B.A. in History and African-American Studies from Wesleyan University, a Master's in Teaching Social Studies from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an M.A. in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He is deeply committed to education and community service.

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Wayne A. Nelson Jr., a true New Rochelle native, has dedicated his life to public service. He graduated from New Rochelle City Schools and continues to serve his community with unwavering commitment.

Diana Fosella, Youth Bureau Assistant Director, expressed her excitement about the event by saying, "In the spirit of Black History Month, we came together to celebrate the unsung heroes among us. These 'Champions of Change' have strengthened our community through their selfless actions and unwavering commitment." She also added that the ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the honorees and find inspiration for future work in building a stronger and more equitable community.

The event was captured in a photo album as a reminder of this momentous occasion. The "Champions of Change" Awards Ceremony served as a reminder that Black History Month is not just about celebrating the past but also recognizing those who continue to make positive changes in their communities every day.

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