The African Hall Committee of the Springfield Museums is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious Ubora Award and Ahadi Youth Award, which will be presented at a special ceremony at the Museums on Saturday, September 20, at 6 pm. The ceremony is open the public, with tickets now on sale at SpringfieldMuseums.org/ubora.

Vanessa V. Ford, vocalist, composer, and arts leader, is this year’s Ubora Award recipient, and—for the first time in the history of the awards—two Springfield students were selected to receive Ahadi Youth Award: Saryah Brantley and Elijah Ballard Deon.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate leadership, excellence, and the power of community,” says Terry Powe, chair of the African Hall Committee. “Each year, it brings together inspiring individuals for an evening of fellowship, recognition, and meaningful celebration.”

Named for the Swahili word meaning “excellence,” the Ubora Award has been awarded annually since 1992 to an African American adult who has demonstrated a commitment to Greater Springfield and has exhibited excellence in the fields of community service, education, science, humanities, or the arts. Vanessa Ford is a dynamic performer whose career spans music, public service, and community health. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, she proudly represents her Colombian, Panamanian, and Costa Rican heritage, which has shaped her commitment to cultural inclusivity and service.

From an early age, Vanessa’s musical gifts opened doors to perform at national and local events, including military promotions, political ceremonies, and community celebrations. She has sung for Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and the City of Springfield at Mayor Domenic Sarno’s inaugurations, remembrance ceremonies, and major civic events. Her original music, including Great Jehovah and Stronger Together, reflects her faith and dedication to uplifting others. She also serves as founding director of the Springfield CommUnity Chorale, uniting singers and musicians from all backgrounds to celebrate diversity through music.

Vanessa’s leadership extends beyond performance. She is a faculty member at the Community Music School of Springfield and the director of the Trust Transfer Project, a nationally recognized initiative that mobilizes artists to address public health through creative expression. Recognized by the CDC, the American Alliance of Museums, and the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the project has become a model for building vaccine confidence and community wellness through arts and culture. In 2023, she presented at the CDC Museum in Atlanta and delivered the keynote at the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts Woven Conference.

Deeply rooted in civic engagement, Vanessa serves as board president of Blues to Green Inc. She is a board member of Common Wealth Murals and member of Brianna Fund for Children with Physical Disabilities Gospel Planning Team. She is a member of the Public Health Institute of Western MA Youth Mental Health Advisory Coalition and the New England Teaching Artist Collaborative Steering Group.

From 2012 to 2020, Vanessa served as Director of Operations for State Senator James T. Welch, managing the district office, constituent services, and community outreach. Her career reflects a lifelong mission: to use the power of music, culture, and advocacy to empower the vulnerable, amplify underrepresented voices, and bring hope and healing to her community.

Saryah Brantley and Elijah Ballard Deon were selected as the Ahadi Youth Award recipient, given since 2009 to an African American student (age 19 or younger) who embodies the Swahili word for “promise” and excels both in academics and service to the Greater Springfield community.

Saryah Brantley, a recent graduate of Hampden Charter School of Science, is an exceptional student and leader who has persevered through personal challenges with resilience and determination. She has excelled academically, taking four AP courses, maintaining a 4.38 GPA, and earning Certificates of Scholastic Achievement.

Last summer, she was selected for Spelman College’s Early College Program, where she completed a college-level biology course. She was accepted to numerous colleges and universities, including prestigious HBCUs such as Spelman, Howard University, and Hampton University, as well as local institutions like Smith College and UMass Boston. She is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Spelman.

Saryah is a natural leader, serving as Senior Council President, National Honor Society President, and Captain and Founder of her high school’s dance team. She also leads morning announcements, mentors younger students, and has been a youth speaker at her church. In addition, she was a dedicated member of her school’s tennis team for four years.

Elijah Ballard Deon distinguished himself as an exceptional scholar and leader throughout his years at Rise Early College High School. Consistently earning First Honors, he graduated as valedictorian of his class this past spring and challenged himself by enrolling in Rise’s early college program in partnership with Springfield Technical Community College. There, he excelled in every course, earning a grade of B or higher. Beyond his own success, Elijah demonstrated a natural ability to uplift his peers, leading by example in the classroom and creating a study group to support students in their psychology course.

His leadership extended well beyond academics. As an active member of Student Council, Elijah helped establish the annual Rise Talent Show, which has since become a cherished tradition. He was also a powerful advocate for student voice, organizing initiatives to address concerns and leading student-driven projects such as cafeteria cleanups and the “Keep Rise Clean” campaign.

Elijah is also known for his vibrant and magnetic personality. Energetic, loyal, and full of humor, he has the rare ability to bring joy to those around him while inspiring them to do better. Whether in the classroom, among friends, or out in the community, Elijah leads with both heart and determination, leaving a lasting impression wherever he goes.

The Springfield Museums and African Hall Committee are accepting donations to the Ahadi Scholarship Fund. The Fund directly empowers young leaders like Saryah and Elijah, offering a meaningful way to invest in both the future of individual students and the strength of the Greater Springfield community. The Museums were grateful to receive a donation to the Ahadi Fund from the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Western Massachusetts Chapter this past spring.

The African Hall Committee is a volunteer group comprising educators, businesspeople, and leaders from the Black community. In 2024, the recipient of the Ubora Award was Rosemary Tracy Woods, Executive Director of the Art for the Soul Gallery, and Jackson Counsel-Watkins was the recipient of the Ahadi Youth Award.

The 2025 Ubora and Ahadi Awards Ceremony is sponsored by Baystate Health.

MassMutual is the season sponsor of the Springfield Museums.