2017 Social Justice Awardees
DR. ANDREW BALDER
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Andrew Balder was born in Philadelphia and attended Amherst College and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He has built a career dedicated to improving the health of under served populations in Springfield and the
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surrounding areas. He currently has a primary care practice, and is the Chief Medical Officer for the City of Springfield Health Services for the Homeless.
After four years practicing primary care outside of Philadelphia, Dr. Balder returned to Pioneer Valley to work at Neighborhood Health Center currently known as Baystate Mason Square Health Center. He served as medical Director for 11.5 years, assisting in the building of the new Health Center in the mid 1990s and he now works there as a teacher.He was one of the founders of the Health Center's Community Advisory Board and the Mason Square Health Task Force. He is the Chair of Project Baby Springfield, Medical Coordinator of Pioneer Valley Free Health Service, and a member of the Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start Board of Directors. Dr. Balder is married to Cynthia Sommer and they have two children.
After four years practicing primary care outside of Philadelphia, Dr. Balder returned to Pioneer Valley to work at Neighborhood Health Center currently known as Baystate Mason Square Health Center. He served as medical Director for 11.5 years, assisting in the building of the new Health Center in the mid 1990s and he now works there as a teacher.He was one of the founders of the Health Center's Community Advisory Board and the Mason Square Health Task Force. He is the Chair of Project Baby Springfield, Medical Coordinator of Pioneer Valley Free Health Service, and a member of the Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start Board of Directors. Dr. Balder is married to Cynthia Sommer and they have two children.
WALESKA LUGO-DEJESUS
HEALING RACISM INSTITUTE
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Waleska Lugo-Dejesus is the Director of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley and as an independent consultant promoting inclusion, civic engagement, leadership and education around 21st. century race relations.
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She serves as Commissioner to the Massachusetts Art & Cultural Council and sits on the board of the Commonwealth Compact Higher Ed Diversity Collaborative, United Way of Pioneer Valley/Women's Leadership Council, is an advisor to the Puerto Rican Parade Planning Team, and is a founding committee member for
Leadership Pioneer Valley. She is also a founding member of Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition and served as a board member for Partners for a Healthier Community, addressing health disparities within the African American and Latino communities with Baystate Health.
She has received numerous professional and civic awards including the 2016 Outstanding Champion of Diversity from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2016 "Women Trailblazers and Trendsetters" Award from the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management and Masters in Public Administration.
Leadership Pioneer Valley. She is also a founding member of Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition and served as a board member for Partners for a Healthier Community, addressing health disparities within the African American and Latino communities with Baystate Health.
She has received numerous professional and civic awards including the 2016 Outstanding Champion of Diversity from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2016 "Women Trailblazers and Trendsetters" Award from the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management and Masters in Public Administration.
MARC SPARKS
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Marc Sparks is the owner of the premier banquet facility Chez Josef in Agawam. Born and raised in Springfield, Marc attended Springfield schools and graduated from Cathedral High School
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During his freshman year at UMass Amherst, he approached Chez Josef about becoming a bartender but was instead hired as a waiter and by his senior year, he had raised through the ranks to the position of manager. He graduated from UMass with a degree in Psychology with an additional focus in Human Resource Management and Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration (HRTA). He returned to Chez Josef to accept a position as Director of Operations. He held that position for twelve years until April 28, 2011 when he took over the restaurant. Marc moved forward as an entrepreneur and in 2012 he became the new owner of Chez Josef.
Marc believes in giving back to the community and is actively involved in a mentoring program in the region. Through this passion, he also supports local food banks and soup kitchens. He is also a professional advisor to Dean Vocational Culinary Program and Rachael's Table. Marc is the proud father of an 18 year old daughter Madison who is currently enrolled in Holyoke Community College.
Marc believes in giving back to the community and is actively involved in a mentoring program in the region. Through this passion, he also supports local food banks and soup kitchens. He is also a professional advisor to Dean Vocational Culinary Program and Rachael's Table. Marc is the proud father of an 18 year old daughter Madison who is currently enrolled in Holyoke Community College.
PATRICIA SPRADLEY
SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Patricia Spradley is the Chief of Parent and Community Engagement for Springfield Public Schools where she strategically engages parents community, political and institutional partners to assist with student achievement.
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She has been with the Springfield Public Schools for over twenty three years. Currently she is responsible for Family Education, the Parent and Community Engagement Center, the Parent Academy, Student Assignment Services, Homeless Educational Services, METCD and School Choice/Charters. She also served as workforce Development Director training administrators and classroom teachers. In 2015 she was recognized as one of sixteen Leaders to Learn from by Education Week magazine.
Ms. Spradley holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource/Personnel Management, a Master's degree in Organizational Development, and a Massachusetts State Certification in Educational Administration. She sits on various state and local boards, while continuing to serve in her local community.
Patricia is also the co-owner of an International Health and Wellness business with her husband. Ms. Spradley is happily married and the proud parent of four children and five grandchildren.
Ms. Spradley holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource/Personnel Management, a Master's degree in Organizational Development, and a Massachusetts State Certification in Educational Administration. She sits on various state and local boards, while continuing to serve in her local community.
Patricia is also the co-owner of an International Health and Wellness business with her husband. Ms. Spradley is happily married and the proud parent of four children and five grandchildren.
Currently, he serves as Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Springfield, MA. Under his leadership and the prayerful support and labor of the congregation, God faithfully added over 600 souls to this ministry. Mt. Zion is committed to being a place of healing, help, and hope. Additionally, he serves as the Second Vice President of the United Baptist Convention of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
An honors graduate of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina (BA in Pastoral Ministry),Pastor White furthered his studies at Howard University earning a Masters of Divinity. In 2011, he completed his Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA.He is blissfully married to Dr. Yolanda Lenzy, a dermatologist practicing in Chicopee, MA. Dr. Atu White sincerely believes in the words of Apostle Paul "therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. |
A native of Garysburg, North Carolina, the Reverend Dr. Harding was educated in the public schools of Northampton County in North Carolina. Dr. Harding received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting (with honors) from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina; his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.
Dr. Harding was formerly the pastor of Northeastern Presbyterian Church of Washington, DC and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. Pastor Harding's ministry focuses upon strengthening the faith of the parishioners and extending the mission of the church to serve and assist those in need in the community. . Pastor Harding serves on various organizations, committees and executive boards to include The Collective Banking Group and Martha's Table. In addition, he holds the position of Field Staff for the New Church Development Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Pastor Harding also had the pleasure to serve as the 2008 Moderator for the National Capitol Presbytery. Currently, Pastor Harding directs field education at the Howard University Divinity School. Pastor Harding is married to the former Karen Brown. The Hardings are the proud parents of one daughter, Tuere, and one son, Edward, III. Pastor Edward P. Harding, Jr. can be reached by email at pgcchurch2005@gmail.com. |
