The Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award acknowledges the civic capacity building, commitment, vision and entrepreneurial spirit of an individual. Those honored with this award are real “doers” that accomplish change for the betterment of our communities.
The Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award acknowledges the civic capacity building, commitment, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit of an individual. Those honored with this award are real “doers” that accomplish change for the betterment of our communities.
Bob Kendrick began his involvement with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) as a volunteer in 1993. He teamed with the immensely popular former Negro League player and longtime NLBM chairman, Buck O’Neil, to help grow the not-for-profit organization from a one-room office in 1990 into its current 10,000 sq. ft. home in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District in Kansas City, Missouri.
O’Neil’s death in 2006 coupled with an economic downturn had the museum’s survival in jeopardy. Kendrick, who served as Vice President of Marketing, left the NLBM in 2010 to pursue another career opportunity. He returned in 2011 after the museum’s board elected him President. Under Bob’s direction, the NLBM has returned to profitability and is playing host to nearly 60,000 visitors a year.
The NLBM is the world’s only museum solely dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of the Negro Leagues and its impact on the social advancement of America. Bob Kendrick’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership has allowed this important cultural institution to flourish while educating people worldwide about a significant, but once forgotten, chapter of Americana.
The Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award acknowledges the civic capacity building, commitment, vision and entrepreneurial spirit of an individual.
Sheena Wright is being honored for her extensive work towards improving community livability for New York City’s most underserved populations. Wright has spearheaded efforts to revitalize New York’s marginalized communities and helped build the first new high school building in Harlem in 50 years. She was recently appointed the first female president of the United Way of New York City.
Inspired by her mother’s commitment to education, Wright enrolled at Columbia University at 16 years of age and earned both her bachelor’s and law degrees from the esteemed university. After working for various law firms, she changed her focus to community empowerment and became the vice president of the start-up Crave Technologies.
Wright then moved on to become the president and CEO of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, a community development organization founded by the distinguished Reverend Calvin O. Butts, III. There, she led a number of far-reaching community initiatives, including projects that helped create over 1,000 new jobs, build 785 units of affordable housing, and improve the quality of life of New York City’s most vulnerable residents.
In October 2012, Wright became the first woman to be named the president and CEO of the United Way of New York, where she will continue her important work empowering underserved communities and promoting equity in this time of need.
Robert Pohlman is honored for his foundational advocacy as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development. His influential support of the Housing Production Trust Fund and leadership has provided critical construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of affordable housing units in Washington, D.C. during the past 10 years.
For their contributions to Omaha’s music culture and economic development, as seen in their redevelopment project, which has spurred a multimillion-dollar, mixed-use development in a previously depressed north downtown area.
President of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), for his commitment to RIT, promotion of equity, outstanding community involvement in the City of Rochester.
Former President of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, for her pioneering efforts to redefine the leadership role that community foundations have in creating regional cooperation across the United States..
Co-Directors of the Asset Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University, for their great contributions to the entire field of community development through their asset-based neighborhood development and community building research.
For her lifelong career of entrepreneurship and public service spanning over six decades as former President of the Inter-America Foundation and Eureka Communities.
