The African Hall Subcommittee of the Springfield Museums will present the 18th annual Ubora Award and the 1st annual Ahadi Youth Award at a ceremony on Saturday, September 19, at 7 p.m., at the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts at the Quadrangle. Ronald A. Copes has been selected to receive the Ubora Award and Myles Postell-Reynolds will receive the Ahadi Award.
The Ubora Award, which means “excellence” in Swahili, is presented to an African-American individual who has made a significant contribution to the greater Springfield area. The Ahadi Youth Award, which means “promise,” is presented to an African-American young person who demonstrates strong character, leadership, academic achievement, and future potential.
Mr. Copes is a retired Corporate Vice President of Community Relations from MassMutual Financial Group, where he led the company’s community outreach programs and charitable giving initiatives with emphasis on educational programs. He is currently serving as the Interim President and CEO of United Way of the Pioneer Valley.
He also served in the U.S. Army for 27 years, retiring as a Colonel. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for combat in Vietnam.
Mr. Copes’ many years of volunteer service have included fund-raising to build the Martin Luther King Community Center and the Dunbar Community Center. He has also served on the boards of the Springfield Urban League, Springfield School Volunteers, Pioneer Valley Boy Scouts, Dunbar Community Center, Partners for a Healthier Community and a number of other organizations. He is a member of Black Men of Greater Springfield engaged in mentoring young men and is also a Read Aloud Volunteer, reading to children in the Springfield Public Schools.
Myles Postell-Reynolds of Springfield is currently a freshman at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He graduated from Early College High School at Holyoke Community College where he was invited to participate in the college honors seminar. He received the Adams Scholarship for his high MCAS scores and was a member of the school’s World Quest team. While in high school he spent many weekends in Boston volunteering for the Food Project and related organizations. He is being recognized for his maturity, enthusiasm, work ethic, and concern for others.
The award presentations will be followed by a reception at the Springfield Science Museum across the Quadrangle. Admission to the event is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For information or advance reservations, call 413.263.6800, ext. 325.