Be the Light Gala

The "Be the Light" Gala is a celebration of legacy, leadership, and the transformative power of mentorship. This signature event brings together mentors, mentees, and community supporters to honor those who invest in young lives and strengthen the future of our communities.

Each year, we proudly present the “Illuminating Impact” Award, recognizing outstanding individuals who empower the next generation to rise with confidence, purpose, and hope.

In addition, the Gala is honored to uplift youth directly through our scholarship initiative. The “Passing the Torch” Scholarship Award and “Kema Dwarka Scholarship Award” celebrates exceptional high school students who demonstrate leadership, resilience, academic promise, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Through this award, we proudly provide scholarships that support students as they take their next steps toward higher education and a bright future.

Global Youth Summit Gala 2025 (18 of 427).jpg

Thank You for Shining Your Light! ✨

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Gala! Because of your incredible generosity, we are moving closer to ensuring children across six locations in Guyana, South America, have the tools and scholarships needed to succeed. Together, we are uplifting tomorrow's leaders.

How You Can Support Us

2026 Illuminating Impact Award Recipients

Cloyette Harris‑Stoute

Cloyette Harris‑Stoute is a multidisciplinary leader and founder of the Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation, where for nearly 10 years she has empowered hundreds of young women through mentorship, leadership training, and educational support. Born in Guyana and a proud Queens resident for over 30 years, she guides teens through programs like the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Leadership Fund, helping them build confidence, cultural pride, and real‑world skills. Her commitment to youth extends into her civic roles—including serving as a trustee for one of the nation’s largest public library systems—and through her entrepreneurial ventures, where she models creativity, discipline, and purpose. Across every space she leads, Cloyette’s mission remains constant: to uplift the next generation and open doors that help young people thrive.

Ricky Ramotar

Ricky Ramotar is a dedicated teaching assistant with over 11 years of experience supporting high school students in the Hempstead Union Free School District, where he plays a key role in creating positive, productive learning environments. Known for his ability to connect with teens and redirect behaviors with patience and respect, he collaborates closely with teachers to deliver effective lessons and keep students engaged. Ricky’s commitment to helping young people grow—academically, socially, and personally—has earned him the trust of colleagues and the admiration of the many students whose lives he impacts every day.

Nicholas Garcia

Nicholas is a Youth leader, best-selling author, entrepreneur and public speaker. His wife, Angela, and Nicholas have led worship for conferences, preached at youth conventions and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the country. His biggest honor and privilege is discipling groups of teens to be able to minister the gospel to their friends.

Marc Reddick

Marc Reddick has been a musician since age 3 and became the organist for his church by age 7, leading three choirs and inspiring young people through music. As a student at Berklee College of Music, he quickly became one of Boston’s most sought‑after young musicians, drawing college students and youth from across the city into vibrant choir and community music experiences. He later founded Marc Reddick & Company—now Universal Praise—which has ministered in churches, colleges, prisons, and shelters, using music to reach and uplift people of all ages. Today, as Pastor of Epiphany Chapel COGIC, he continues to guide and mentor youth through faith, music, and community service.

Susana Ramotar

Susana Ramotar is a bilingual elementary educator with 16 years of experience nurturing young learners in grades 1 through 3 within the Hempstead Union Free School District, where she has become a trusted guide for children adjusting to new languages, cultures, and expectations. Working in one of Long Island’s most diverse communities, she supports English‑language learners in building strong academic foundations while helping them celebrate their identities and feel proud of where they come from. Through culturally responsive teaching, family engagement, and a classroom environment rooted in safety and belonging, Susana empowers her students to express themselves, overcome challenges, and develop the confidence they need to thrive both in and beyond school.

Emily Tejada Diangson

Emily Tejada Diangson is a lifelong servant‑leader whose journey began at just seven years old, when a volunteer trip to Haiti sparked her passion for uplifting children and families. For the past 16 years, she has served as a catechist at Saint Rose of Lima Church, guiding teenagers through their sacraments while supporting them in education, life choices, and everyday challenges. Her commitment to youth and community has taken many forms—from collecting prom attire and professional clothing for students and families, to fundraising for shelters, providing school supplies and hygiene essentials, supporting STEAM programs, sending soccer gear to children in Africa, and leading beach cleanups. Now proudly working with Gilbane Building Company, Emily continues to use her gifts to serve others, driven by the belief that even the smallest acts of kindness can create lasting change.

CAC922D2-66FE-430A-B79E-7B584C0823B4 - rerevee_yahoo.com.jpeg

Charise Vidot

Charise Vidot is the founder and president of Velina Ann Marshall Outreach Inc. and a devoted community leader with more than 20 years of service fighting food insecurity across Long Island. Inspired by her mother’s legacy, she began serving through a hot‑meal ministry over two decades ago and has spent the past 11 years expanding outreach programs that provide meals, resources, and hope to families in need. A former School Administrator and the 12‑year Head of the Greeters Ministry at Upper Room Church in Dix Hills, Charise is known for creating welcoming spaces and mobilizing community support. Through her nonprofit, launched in 2026, she continues to lead food distributions and family‑support initiatives with compassion, dignity, and unwavering faith—ensuring that young people and families across Long Island never feel forgotten or hungry.

Tarek Alamarie

Tarek Alamarie has spent 18 years expanding opportunity for young people across New York City, leading school transformations that open real pathways to college, careers, and long‑term stability. At Richmond Hill High School, he redesigned the student experience into six career‑connected academies and built an Early College model that now partners with 15 colleges. His leadership has raised graduation and attendance rates while enabling students—many from historically underserved communities—to earn more than 60 college credits before finishing high school. The result is a school that gives youth the skills, confidence, and credentials to shape their own futures.

Sherry Algredo

Sherry Algredo is a Trinidad‑born community leader who has spent more than a decade advocating for youth and families across Queens, including four years on Community Education Council 27 and three consecutive terms as Chair of Community Board 9. She has supported hundreds of students—especially those with special needs—by strengthening school partnerships, expanding access to services, and co‑hosting large‑scale events like the Queens Autism and Developmental Disabilities Walk, which now draws hundreds of participants. Her leadership has also elevated youth‑serving organizations and local schools through consistent on‑the‑ground engagement and collaboration with more than a dozen elected officials and community partners. Her work continues to create safer, more supportive pathways for young people to thrive.

Selwyn Collins

Selwyn Collins is the founder and CEO of Brand YOUth Global Inc., a movement dedicated to helping young people recognize their brilliance and step boldly into purpose. For over a decade, he has inspired youth through storytelling, mentorship, and transformative live and online experiences that encourage them to move from fear into action. A lifelong writer and creator of The eartHeart Knows and the expanding eartHeart and Shade of Ebony worlds, Selwyn uses narrative to explore identity, courage, and the power within. He also amplifies underrepresented voices as the creator and host of Conversations With Selwyn (CWS), a webTV series launched in 2012 that spotlights artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and visionaries across the Guyanese diaspora. Honored with awards from the Guyana Cultural Association, the Young, Gifted & Black organization, and the 2025 RESET Award, Selwyn continues to champion youth empowerment with a guiding mantra: “Fear not what fear whispers to you. Fear your obedience to it.”

Honorary Award Recipients

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a lifelong Queens resident, has served his community for more than 20 years in elected office, including seven years on the New York City Council and over 15 years in the New York State Senate. He has helped thousands of families access youth services, school resources, and recovery support after major crises such as Hurricane Sandy, while securing millions of dollars for infrastructure, education, technology, and community programs. Each year he organizes dozens of youth‑centered events—from job fairs to health screenings—that connect young people and families to critical opportunities. His legislative work continues to prioritize children, working families, and veterans, strengthening the long‑term wellbeing of the communities he represents.

Tarek Alamarie

Tarek Alamarie has spent 18 years expanding opportunity for young people across New York City, leading school transformations that open real pathways to college, careers, and long‑term stability. At Richmond Hill High School, he redesigned the student experience into six career‑connected academies and built an Early College model that now partners with 15 colleges. His leadership has raised graduation and attendance rates while enabling students—many from historically underserved communities—to earn more than 60 college credits before finishing high school. The result is a school that gives youth the skills, confidence, and credentials to shape their own futures.

Sherry Algredo

Sherry Algredo is a Trinidad‑born community leader who has spent more than a decade advocating for youth and families across Queens, including four years on Community Education Council 27 and three consecutive terms as Chair of Community Board 9. She has supported hundreds of students—especially those with special needs—by strengthening school partnerships, expanding access to services, and co‑hosting large‑scale events like the Queens Autism and Developmental Disabilities Walk, which now draws hundreds of participants. Her leadership has also elevated youth‑serving organizations and local schools through consistent on‑the‑ground engagement and collaboration with more than a dozen elected officials and community partners. Her work continues to create safer, more supportive pathways for young people to thrive.

Pratima B. Maldonado

Since arriving in the U.S. at age 10, Pratima Bhullar Maldonado has broken four major glass ceilings to become the first South Asian female Commanding Officer in NYPD history. Her 31-year journey from immigrant to executive is marked by her rise through six different precincts, where she utilized her fluency in three languages to bridge gaps with diverse communities. By 2023, she became the department's first South Asian female Captain, following historic promotions as the first female Sikh Sergeant and Indian Lieutenant. These milestones quantify a career dedicated to trailblazing leadership and representation for the South Asian community in New York City. Her February 2025 appointment as a precinct commander serves as the ultimate testament to her rapid ascent and enduring impact on departmental policy and community relations.