Ronique Hawkins moved her nonprofit organization, Learn My History, from New York to Sarasota in 2019 to continue giving young people more opportunities to be successful and happy than they had growing up.
During the inaugural “Passing the Baton of Excellence” event on Aug. 25, members of the church's Youth Advisory Council had the opportunity to don graduation caps and gowns and celebrate their mission at Sarasota Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The event marked the nonprofit's expansion into a year-long program, and Hawkins told the audience that it was her children who helped her keep the organization running during her battle with breast cancer.
Programs include “Create with Ro,” in which students create cultural history projects including books and cultural dishes, “LMH Youth Zone,” which teaches young people how to make their own films, and “LMH Children's Network,” which provides expert mentoring.
The event brought together representatives from organizations such as the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club, Toastmasters and BNI Business by the Bay.
Hawkins said the event marks the first time the community has been invited to witness what's going on within the organisation and comes at a time when it needs funding and more participation.
“When I look around this room, my heart is warmed,” said Judith Levine of the Johnson Singer Arts Education Foundation, emphasizing the importance of children being able to “learn about each other and learn tolerance.”