Lester Strong is Vice President of External Affairs and Experience Corps, a program of the AARP Foundation which tutors and mentors elementary school children (K-3) who struggle with reading by utilizing the skills and experiences of adults 50+. Experience Corps serves 32,000 students in 23 cities across the United States through a program recognized as the one of the most effective in-school interventions in the country.
Prior to his service at Experience Corps, Lester served as a leader in educational entrepreneurship and development. He was the Chief Development Officer for the BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) Foundation, which also provides tutoring and mentoring services to underserved children in multiple cities.
A long-time proponent and practitioner of meditation, Lester was CEO of the SYDA Foundation, an educational organization that provides instruction in yoga and meditation in 46 countries. He spent 25 years in the television industry as an executive producer, reporter and anchor in Charlotte (WBTV), Atlanta (WSB), New York (ABC Entertainment) and Boston (WHDH). His work earned him a host of national and regional awards, including five regional Emmy Awards and a White House commendation from President Ronald Reagan.
Lester serves as chairman of the board of Editorial Projects in Education (Education Week) and sits on the boards of Encore.org and YouthBuild USA. He also serves on the advisory councils of the Presidio Institute and America’s Promise Alliance. Lester holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature/Education from Davidson College and is a graduate of the Columbia Business School’s Institute for Non-Profit Management.
I was inspired by a speech many years ago where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated “Life’s Most Persistent and Urgent Question Is: What Are You Doing For Others?” Five years ago, I founded Gregory’s Fresh Market because I was committed and passionate about wanting to help improve lives for seniors. I was honored to be recognized for our work in serving over 6,000 seniors by providing them with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition and fitness education at the 29th Annual Living the Dream Dr. MLK Jr. Awards Breakfast on Friday, January 16. Gregory’s Fresh Market was the recipient of the 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award. Many thanks to Sara Presler, President and CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women for the nomination. The event was sponsored by the Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and supported by the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission.
Yudi Cesar has been the site manager at Broadway Terrace for more than four years. The Service Coordinator role is one of her many roles.
Yudi comments, “being a part of a non-profit organization that provides safe, secure, and affordable housing to seniors is one of the most important works I have done. The population of seniors we serve would otherwise be homeless without programs like the Section 8/202 program currently in place at Broadway Terrace. It makes possible for those persons of extremely low income to afford a quality home and remain independent for as long as it may be possible before transitioning to next levels of care. This extension is made possible through partnerships with other organizations like Gregory’s Fresh Market, which brings high quality items to the hands of those mobility impaired seniors who are unable to secure or afford transportation.” Yudi, your hard work over the last 4 years is appreciated.
Mr. Calvin Coolidge Goode – his name says much more than who was President when he was born. It speaks to the hopes, the dreams, and the aspirations of his parents from nearly 87 1/2 years ago. It tells you that in 1927, in rural Oklahoma, a child could bring great joy, hope and promise for the future no matter the current circumstances, to one day make great contributions to society. That was a period in time when we worked hard and fought hard to achieve life victories both big and small. And during Mr. Goode’s lifetime, his work ethic, courage and vision brought victories that were both plentiful and important. In 1949, he earned two college degrees from Arizona State University. In 1972 he was elected to the Phoenix City Council where he served 22 years. He was the longest serving city council person in the history of the city. He won a great victory for humanity when he passed a city council ordinance that made it illegal to discriminate in employment on the basis on race, physical disability or sexual orientation. He fought many battles and won more victories in the world of education and business, as a long-term employee of the Phoenix School System and as the owner of Goode and Associates, an accounting firm – H&R Block had nothing on Mr. Goode. He had amazing victories to recognize the King Holiday first by the city of Phoenix and eventually by the state of Arizona. His victory over Ward Connerly’s phony Civil Rights Initiative drew national attention.
As the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Tanner Properties, he is an advocate for bringing affordable housing options to seniors. Over 550 units of affordable housing apartments are available to elderly and disabled persons. Every facet of his life has brought about triumphant victories, not only for himself but mainly for his community. We as a community are better off because of these great victories over adversity and his ability to stand tall in the face of myriad obstacles.
Mr. Goode had the ability to persevere under the toughest of conditions until we as a community could realize the dream and claim the victory in hand. Mr. Goode, we recognize and honor you for your lifetime of commitment and accomplishments. The Third annual Seniors Awards Luncheon is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Mr. Goode. The vision of your family from that first day has been realized many times over for your accomplishments – too numerous to mention – and your leadership in our community. You did your parents proud, Mr. Calvin Goode. You did us all proud. Thank you.
Have you purchased your tickets? Click here to purchase tickets for the 3rd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon and join us in honoring Mr. Goode and other unsung heroes. Thank you.
Gregory’s Fresh Market’s 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon was a huge success. We are especially grateful to Susan Casper, Host of ABC15 Sonoran Living Live, Phoenix and Robert Ferguson, creator of the Diet Free Life System for their support in hosting this years program. The luncheon’s focus continues to be on our unsung heroes and Resident Service Coordinators, who have as their passion the care and needs of our senior citizens.
As a result of the funds raised at this year’s luncheon, Diana Gregory Outreach Service Foundation and Gregory’s Fresh Market will be providing over 1,000 free bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to senior citizens throughout the communities that we serve. If you would like more information about Gregory’s Fresh Market or would like to know how you can sponsor a bag of fresh produce for seniors during the holidays, please contact me by filling in the form below. Thank you. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking Donate
Honoring Centenarian Award Recipient, Ms. Hilda Jones, Tanner Terrace Apartments
There is nothing to fear about getting old, only more time to celebrate. When I talk to people about living to be 100 or longer, the first response I receive is, I don’t want to live that long. We as a nation are put off by the aging process and look to growing old as something to fear rather than celebrate.
Ms. Hilda Jones
At Gregory’s Fresh Market, we cherish and celebrate our seniors and centenarians. We assist in providing for them an important place in our communities, thus helping to break the stigma of aging. This is why we started the Centenarian Club and honor our centenarians and seniors at the senior awards luncheon.
The GFM Centenarian Club is a group of 6 distinguished centenarians whom we have identified at senior locations serviced by GFM. They receive fresh produce on a monthly basis, quarterly gift cards from retail stores and access to all GFM events.
Ms. Hilda Jones, centenarian will be honored at the 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon. She personifies life, vitality, strength and courage. Her greatest strength is that of her mother. Her greatest pillars are faith in God and the power of forgiveness. She enjoys working on cross word puzzles.
Prior to retiring, she was an entrepreneur and a dressmaker. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cosby were two of her clients. She has one son, Matthew who is 82 years old.
This year at the 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon, we honor and recognize the life and accomplishments of Ms. Hilda Jones, a gracious lady.
