Alonzo Mourning to Receive the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI in Miami, today announced Mr. Alonzo Mourning as the recipient of the 2010 Director's Community Leadership Award (DCLA) at the Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Mourning is the founder of the Alonzo Mourning Charities (AMC), Inc. AMC is a not-for-profit organization created to build strong communities by supporting programs and initiatives that are committed to promoting positive change.

Through Mr. Mourning’s efforts, AMC has raised more than $7 million dollars for various programs that aid in the development of children and families. Some of these initiatives include the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, the Overtown Youth Center and Zo’s Fund for Life Mission.

The Honey Shine Mentoring Program is an initiative which teaches real life skills that help young girls transition into adulthood with grace and confidence. This program offers bi-weekly workshops that focus on health and nutrition, literacy, career mapping, self-esteem, and financial literacy.

The Overtown Youth Center opened in 2003 and located in Overtown (Miami), Florida, is a center that works with children and families by providing in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs designed to empower children to indentify and avoid negative influences and to pursue positive ones. The center provides these activities in a safe environment for children in grades 2 through 12.

Zo’s Fund for Life Mission, created in 2001, provides support to individuals and families who have been diagnosed or impacted by kidney disease. Through research, advocacy, and education, the foundation encourages families to take routine physicals in an effort to detect and to treat rare kidney diseases.

In addition to the foregoing initiatives, Mr. Mourning has supported local communities by hosting youth summits, basketball clinics, and supporting families during the Holiday Season. His commitment to supporting local communities through his charities is exemplary and merits strong recognition. It is for this reason that the Miami Division of the FBI is presenting Mr. Mourning with the 2010 DCLA.

SAC Gillies stated, “It is an honor to present this award to Alonzo Mourning. The work that he and his charities perform to assist children and families in the South Florida community is truly deserving of the Director’s Award for Community Leadership.”

The DCLA was formally created in 1990 as the principle means for the FBI to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence to help keep America and its kids safe.

The FBI can only conduct investigations and protect the American people from crime and acts of extremism if it has the support and understanding of the American people. That's why the Special Agents in Charge of each of the 56 field offices work so closely with their communities and community organizations. When these Special Agents in Charge get tremendous support from people in their communities, they can nominate the person for the award. Every year, each of the 56 FBI field offices nominates one recipient for the award.

The following is a list of the past local DCLA recipients in the South Florida area”

-Anti-Defamation League, Florida Office

The ADL was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all.

Initiatives which warrant recognition include the Law Enforcement Agency Resource Network website which tracks actionable information on extremist activities.

A World of Difference Institute that provides anti-bias education and training with curriculum and materials for Pre-K through university level students, community groups, civic associations, and religious organizations.

-Handy, Inc.

A non-profit organization founded in 1985 to address the fundamental needs of Broward County's Foster Care Children.

-National Black MBA Association, Inc.

Founded in 1987 to provide mentoring, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities for socio-economically disadvantaged students who are interested in attending college.

-Ms. Shirley Taylor-Prakkelt

The former Director of Housing for the Town of Davie, Florida, who was responsible for implementing neighborhood revitalization programs to reduce crime, drugs, and gang violence in her local community.

Her Scholarship Award Fund was highlighted as a positive initiative which encourages students to take part in activities which would positively impact their local community.