Awards

Bowie is a social studies teacher at SAVE (Specialized Academic Vocational Education) High School, an alternative school dedicated to helping high school juniors and seniors graduate after falling behind. Born into a military family in South Carolina in 1950, Phyllis started her education during a period of significant change in the field. After completing her master’s degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage, she joined the Anchorage School District where she will soon retire as its longest-serving teacher.Her husband Lance, a retired principal with over five decades of experience, mostly in Anchorage, retired two years ago. Together, the Bowies have a combined 99 years of experience in education. Phyllis’s parting message to her graduating class is, “You have the opportunity to make a difference. The district has provided you with a personalized education to help you succeed. Now, what will you do with it?”

Community activist Ed Wesley was born in Bolivar County, Mississippi. In 1972, he was drafted into the United States Army and served as a military police officer at Fort Greely, Alaska. Following his military service, Wesley worked on the Trans Alaska Pipeline and later in the real estate and insurance industries before retiring in 2015. Throughout his career, Wesley has been a strong advocate for civil rights. He has collaborated with organizations such as the Anchorage NAACP and the Anchorage Police Department on issues related to the use of deadly force. Wesley has also been involved in political campaigns, including working on Jesse Jackson’s campaign, and has held various leadership positions within the Alaska Democratic Party.As an active member of the community, Wesley has contributed his time to numerous organizations and causes. He has served on the Anchorage Council of PTAs, held the position of Deacon at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, and served as Worshipful Master of Mt. McKinley Lodge #2. Additionally, Wesley has held leadership roles within the Prince Hall Masons in the State of Alaska, including Grand Jr. Warden. He has also been involved in various community events and organizations, such as the Alaska high school basketball classic tournament, the Municipality of Anchorage Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals, and the Anchorage Board of Realtors. Wesley has been a key figure in several community organizations, including serving as President of the Alaska Black Leadership Conference, the African American Business Council, and the African American Historical Society (which sponsors Juneteenth events). He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees for the State of Alaska Personnel Retirement System.

Judge Card began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force as a commissioned second lieutenant in 1969. He served eight years of active duty and twelve years in the reserves. After obtaining his J.D. degree in 1976, Card relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, where he worked as an assistant judge advocate for the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. In 1981, he transitioned into private practice as a criminal defense attorney in Anchorage. Subsequently, Card served as an assistant U.S. attorney and federal prosecutor for the organized crime drug enforcement task force from 1989 to 1991.

In 1993, Card made history as the first African American attorney appointed as a superior court judge in Alaska. During his tenure, he chaired the criminal pattern jury instructions committee and was actively involved in various judicial committees, including the Supreme Court of Alaska equal access to justice committee and domestic relations rules committee. In 2006, Card was appointed as a senior superior court judge. Additionally, he served as a member of the Alaska Judicial Council from 1993 to 2005. Upon retiring in 2017, Judge Card continued his legal career as an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Roscoe holds a deep commitment to serving his community, a value instilled in him by his parents, Roscoe Sr. and Carol Wyche. He has dedicated his time to various community service initiatives, including working with the Boy Scouts of America and serving as a foster parent to children in need. Roscoe actively volunteers with organizations such as the March of Dimes and the Alaska Heart Association.For two decades, Roscoe served on the board for Selective Service and held the position of President at the Anchorage Elks Lodge. Currently, he serves as the Commander of the Sons of the American Legion at Chappie James Post 34. In addition to his community involvement, Roscoe assists his sister in running the family’s restaurant, “Mama Carol’s Soul Food Events Catering,” where they have a tradition of providing a free Thanksgiving dinner to 150 to 300 people in the community.

Staten, the Executive Director of Keys to Life, has dedicated her career to creating programs that foster connections among people through various activities such as conversation, music, cooking, storytelling, and more. Over the years, she has been instrumental in bringing people together in Anchorage, bridging gaps across race, class, age, and cultural differences. Shirley Mae’s contributions include serving as the coordinator for the Citywide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. events and leading various projects and leadership programs at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. In her role as the Cultural Event Coordinator for the United Nations NGO 1995 World Conference in Beijing, China, Shirley organized over 210 cultural arts programs for 36,000 women. More recently, her work with Keys to Life has focused on the “Lullaby Projects” at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center. Shirley has been honored with several awards, including the Athena Leadership Award, the Governor’s Humanities Award, and the Alaska State Legislature Award, in recognition of her impactful contributions to the community.

Hailing from New Jersey, Gray-Jackson made her way to Anchorage on Juneteenth in 1982 and swiftly felt the tug of public service. Over the years, she dedicated herself to serving the Anchorage community, starting with an 18-year tenure working for the Anchorage Assembly. She subsequently served on the Assembly for nine years, including terms as vice chair for 1.5 years and chair for 1 year. In 2018, she was elected to the Alaska State Senate, a position she retained through re-election in 2022.Public service is not just a job for her; it is a true passion that brings her immense joy. She takes pride in offering her best efforts to assist constituents with their concerns, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and appreciating the diverse cultures within the community through legislative action.

Waller launched her media career in Alaska as the lone female on-air personality, known as Kim Kane, at the state’s inaugural hip hop radio station. This experience paved the way for a successful media journey in New York, where she made her mark at MTV and Power 105.1FM.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media from NYU and a Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism from Harvard University. Waller currently holds the position of Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Foraker Group. Additionally, she is the founder and CEO of the Women’s Power League of Alaska, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and bolstering the state’s economy. Waller is actively involved in various leadership roles, including serving her second term on the Executive Board of Directors for Alaska Public Media and acting as the Foundation Chair for the Anchorage Chapter of Jack and Jill Inc. Proud of her Alaskan roots, Waller believes in the power of realizing dreams and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and diverse voices in the media landscape. She is committed to advocating for changemakers and promoting inclusivity in the industry.

Panna is commemorating her 50th year as an Alaskan while achieving her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Purdue University Global. With over 30 years of nursing experience solely in Alaska, she holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on population health. Panna’s career includes 23 years as a National Board-Certified School Nurse within the Anchorage School District since the 1994-1995 academic year. Her expertise extends to over 30 years of acute care practice in areas such as Oncology, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Additionally, she holds a Clinical Specialty in adolescent mental health and chemical dependency. Panna has also engaged in Legal Nurse Consulting, offering her expertise as an expert witness, providing brief reviews for litigation, and advocating for nurses within the National Education Association (NEA). Recently, Panna became a Licensed Cope2Thrive Facilitator as part of her DNP journey. After completing her doctoral degree, she pursued the Certified Public Health (CPH) exam while continuing her role as a school nurse at a local Anchorage high school. Her DNP Project aims to address disparities in adolescent mental and behavioral health, involving collaboration with the University of Alaska, Anchorage to conduct research on health equity. The data collected from this research will be integrated into Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program, showcasing the significant impact of a DNP Nurse Leader in enhancing healthcare practices.

astor May answered the divine call to the Christian Preaching Ministry on January 28, 1980. He pursued his education at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, focusing on Psychology and Sociology. Additionally, he furthered his studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Extension in Beaumont, TX, the American Baptist Theological Seminary Southeast Texas Extension in Port Arthur, TX, and Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage.Currently, Pastor May holds the esteemed positions of President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Anchorage & Vicinity and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation of Alaska. He is an active member of the Executive Committee of the Chugach Baptist Association and contributes to the Anchorage Health Department’s Coronavirus Advisory Council. At present, he serves as the Pastor of River in the Desert Community Church in Anchorage, Alaska.

Pastor Parker’s unwavering commitment to honoring God shines through in all aspects of his life. As the senior pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Anchorage, he leads his congregation with dedication and faith. His influence extends beyond the church walls as he serves on the boards of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Martin Luther King Foundation of Alaska, and the Clinical Pastoral Education Professional Advisory Group. In 2020, Pastor Parker took a proactive step towards fostering unity and understanding in the community by spearheading the initiative “Reconciliation: Race, Justice, and the Gospel.” Through this initiative, he brought together a group of pastors and faith leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, listen, learn, and forge relationships aimed at promoting reconciliation. His deep love for the community and compassion for its people led him to establish a free furniture bank through Shiloh’s non-profit organization, Shiloh Community Housing Development, Inc. (SCHI), to provide essential support to the most vulnerable members of the community.

Jean Pollard, a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), has a rich background as a retired schoolteacher and administrator. Her passion for education and history has converged in her lifelong dedication to shedding light on the African American troops who played a pivotal role in constructing the Alaska Highway during World War II. Through her leadership in the Alaska Highway Memorial Project, Pollard has successfully brought attention to the overlooked contribution of African Americans in Alaska during WWII, a narrative that is now recognized as a catalyst for the modern civil rights movement. As the primary organizer of a living history theatrical presentation in Anchorage, Pollard has curated a powerful production featuring community actors who bring to life the stories of veterans involved in building the highway and serving in Alaska during the war. She has gone above and beyond, traveling across the country to locate and honor the surviving men who worked on the Alaska Highway, including the upcoming 100th birthday celebration of Pvt. Leonard Larkins in August. In a significant achievement in spring 2017, Pollard’s tireless advocacy efforts culminated in Governor Bill Walker signing Senate Bill 46 into law, establishing African American Soldiers Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day as an annual state day of commemoration on Oct. 25. For her exceptional work, Jean Pollard was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Mr. Nathaniel Rivers, a native of Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, embarked on a remarkable journey that reflects his dedication to education, service, and community. He earned an athletic scholarship to attend South Carolina State College, where he fulfilled all requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1980. Subsequently, he pursued a master’s degree in organizational management with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of LaVerne in California in 1997.While Mr. Rivers briefly pursued a career in the NFL with the New York Giants from 1979 to 1981, his true calling emerged in 1982 when he shifted his focus to serving his country. He dedicated over 30 years to active duty with the US Army before retiring in 2013. In his most recent endeavor, he initiated a boys mentorship program at King Tech High School, a project that also led to the dedication of a classroom in honor of a respected member, Mr. Lewis J Sears Jr., who served in the ASD system for over 40 years.

Mr. Rivers epitomizes the spirit of community service, embodying the motto “Lifting As You Climb” as a way of life. He is married to Ramona Simon, a South Carolina State University graduate from Bishopville, SC, and is a proud father of two daughters, Lanika and Kimberly.