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THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE 2024 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES
These outstanding local leaders will be honored in the community throughout the Fall, leading up to the International Center of the Capital Region’s 3rd Annual Achievement Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, to be held on Wednesday, November 6th at Hudson Valley Community College, Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Meeting Rooms from 11:30AM-1:30PM, where they will be officially recognized.
The winners of the 2024 Achievement Awards are:
- Kelechi and Obie Nwagboso, KEOBI Restaurant – Business & Entrepreneurship Award
- Sol Kapunan, Kalayaan 1521 Council Inc. – Civic Engagement & Citizenship Award
- Dr. Hnin Wai Lwin Myo, Myanmar Multicultural Socioeconomic Association – Community Service & Philanthropy Award
- Steve Ridler, Troy Waterfront Farmers Market – Distinguished Career Award
- The Streznewski-Reilly Family, Bess Arden, Barbara LaMarche, Maryellen Rudolph – Volunteers of the Year Award
- RISSE – Global Citizenship
- Consumer Directed Choices, Inc. & Hongwei Zhang – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Kelechi and Obie Nwagboso, KEOBI Restaurant
Kelechi Nwagboso opened the first exclusively Nigerian-focused African restaurant in the Capital District of New York in Albany in April 2021. The restaurant, Keobi a portmanteau of the Nwagbosos’ first names, focuses on traditional Nigerian foods. The Nigerian-focused fine-dining restaurant showcases the elegance of West African food in the promotion of diverse cultural experiences, the hallmark of the American experience, helping the community to experience culture through authentic food. Nwagboso’s Keobi Restaurant aims to promote Nigerian cuisine and to weave moments of connection among the African diaspora in America in general and the Capital District in particular. The local Albany community is enriched through this immense cultural experience.
Kelechi was born in Nigeria and she resided in several regions of the country. She moved to America a decade ago to join her husband, Obinna Nwagboso, a chemical engineer, who seven years earlier had come to the Bronx before settling in Selkirk. Nwagboso built a career nursing when she moved to the U.S. and worked in senior-living homes in the Capital Region and with individuals with disabilities through Living Resources. She and her husband Obinna began looking for a restaurant space in 2018 but had difficulty obtaining financing through a bank, despite having money saved for a down payment on a building. In early 2020, the Nwagbosos decided to lease a space as a starting point for future goals. They signed the contract for the space, at 189 Lark, which formerly housed restaurants including the Slavonian cafe My Dacha. Thus, the dream of engaging the community became a reality.
Keobi has been a major supporter of ICCR. They are listed in our cultural food passport, donates to silent auction and hosts Taste of the World dinners for us. They are members of the Nigerian Community Center which supports our work and mission.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & CITIZENSHIP – Sol Kapunan, Kalayaan 1521 Council Inc.
Sol is the Founding President of Kalayaan 1521 Council Inc., a New York Non-Profit Corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting Filipino culture and heritage. Sol’s advocacy and leadership were recognized by the New York State Assembly on June 1, 2023, commending him as “An Outstanding Individual worthy of the esteem of both the Community and the Great State of New York” for authoring the petition, addressed to the City Council of Albany, advocating for the acknowledgement of the Filipino American community’s significant contributions and the establishment of an Annual celebration for the Filipino Grand Parade in the City of Albany. Sol was awarded a Special Congressional Recognition by Congressman Paul Tonko, (NY 20 th District) on June 29,2024 for his outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
His dedication to serving the community is further demonstrated through his role as a Board member of APIAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs) Albany NY Chapter representing the Filipino American community. Sol’s leadership and contribution to his community in New York was honored by Power Player Awards on 2023. This recognition is given to honor community leaders, fearless men and women who make New York the thriving and vibrant place to work, live, and do business.
He is SocSkSarGen USA, Inc. Excellence Awardee and County of Bergen Commendation Recipient 2023: Sol is a recipient of an Award of Excellence for Philanthropy and Filipino Cultural heritage advocacy. This recognition is for individuals whose roots originated from the Socsksargen region and who had carved a name in their community here in the US or back home for their active involvement, leadership, socio-economic contributions, humanitarian upliftment and excellence in their field of expertise. On that same occasion, Sol was among the recipients of commendation by the County of Bergen, New Jersey in honor and recognition of his commitment to bound common ideals of cooperation, unity, equality and the pursuit of personal and professional excellence and for his dedication to the Filipino American community.
Sol and his family migrated in the US from the Philippines in 2011 through a Skilled Worker Employment Based permanent residency visa. His wife is a U.S. Registered Nurse. Sol’s immigration journey was nothing less than colorful due to several, specific unforgettable experiences. Thinking that he is already well equipped fo success due to his expansive role in the corporate world in the Philippines that includes dealing with several Multinational companies, he found himself in a very odd situation which made him rethink that getting here with some basic know-how is not enough. Immigrants have special needs to feel at home, immigrants need to feel empowered and immigrants need to feel included in order for them to feel accepted and driven leading to a realization of a renewed sense of purpose: He envisions this process as a cycle that transforms a person into a highly productive individual with a sense of accomplishment and pride at what he does.
This realization has driven Sol to establish Kalayaan 1521, and by establishing this organization, Sol aimed to create a platform allowing other Filipino Immigrants to experience the journey while they feel the inclusion, empowerment at home and that the Capital District is where they belong. Nonetheless, Sol feels that this journey is an ever-changing, ever-improving and ever-dynamic one. His journey continues while there are people in-need and while the State Continues to provide opportunities to develop and equip its own citizens.
COMMUNITY SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY – Dr. Hnin Wai Lwin Myo, Myanmar Multicultural Socioeconomic Association
She was born in Burma (Myanmar). She graduated from Myanmar’s University of Medicine (II) 1999. Ms. Myo has been a medical doctor and public health specialist for over 16 years. Her work has been centered on epidemiological research on communicable diseases. Her attention to matters of public health became more focused after she earned her master’s degree in public health and tropical medicine in 2005.
Ms. Myo has worked in a variety of capacities within the healthcare system, including Research Officer and District Health Officer of the Yangon Region, and Assistant Director of the Ministry of Health. Additionally, she was a national survey coordinator for the Disease Control Department’s National Tuberculosis Control program, which emphasized the presence of health disparities, particularly in military conflict zones.
Her experiences and research interests led her to prioritize public health issues among minority groups as a Deputy Project Manager of the Mobile Medical Services Project. Ms. Myo proposed a project focused on providing basic healthcare to socially marginalized ethnic minority groups along the underserved Thai-Myanmar border, necessitating considerable funding from the Japanese Nippon Foundation. Her mission was to narrow the wide gap between perceived healthcare coverage and reality- characterized by the absence of resources resulting from long-term mismanagement in the conflict zone and insufficient knowledge of the population.
Ms. Myo became so closely watched by junta agents that she and her husband, a physician and military commander, faced being court martialed in the context of the political conflict regarding the Kachin ethnic group. They fled from Myanmar to seek asylum through which they were resettled here in Albany, NY.
Upon resettlement in Albany, Ms. Myo immediately began contributing to her new community through volunteering for the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and Trinity Alliance’s Refugee Community Health Partnership Program. She is founder and president of the Myanmar Multiethnic Sociocultural Association. She also supports our work, events and programs.
DISTINGUISHED CAREER – Steve Ridler, Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
Steve Ridler runs the day-to-day operations of the successful regional farmers market that has been located in downtown Troy for over 20 years. Prior to becoming Market Manager, Steve served the Market on several committees involved with vendor relations and the future location of the Market. Steve is a land use and community planner who has spent many years working on community revitalization projects around London and across New York State
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR – The Streznewski-Reilly Family, Bess Arden, Barbara LaMarche, Maryellen Rudolph
The Streznewski-Reilly Family: Alexandra Streznewski is senior counsel for CDPHP and her husband Robert Reilly is counsel at NYSUT. Their son Felix is a chef for International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) dinners.
Bess Arden: Longtime dinner host for IVLP and Congressional Office for International Leadership, Open World
Barbara LaMarche: Longtime dinner host for IVLP and Open World
Maryellen Rudolph: Longtime dinner host for IVLP and Open World
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP – Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE)
Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc. (RISSE) has served the refugee and immigrant community in New York’s Capital Region since 2007, beginning as one faith community’s effort to help a small group of Congolese and Rwandan refugees resettling in Albany. Since then, RISSE has grown to meet the ever-changing needs of newcomers arriving in the Capital Region. It is now a multi-service agency offering English as a New Language (ENL) classes, youth programming, wrap-around case management, employment support, and immigration assistance. Its mission is to help refugees and immigrants thrive in their new homes and integrate into the fabric of the community. Based in Albany but growing to include satellite programs throughout the region, RISSE serves hundreds of refugee and immigrant families each year who represent more than 90 countries and speak more than 40 languages. RISSE serves any newcomer in the Capital Region, regardless of language, country of origin, income, length of time in the US, or immigration status. It envisions the Capital Region becoming a model community for welcoming, supporting, and celebrating our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING – Consumer Directed Choices, Inc.
Founded by individuals with disabilities, CDChoices has led the way, impacting lives through our approach to Fiscal Intermediary services in New York State. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and a profound sense of belonging. Dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities, seniors, and families through self-direction, CDChoices transcends cultural boundaries. The consumer-directed model, where seniors and people with disabilities manage their home care services, underscores equity by enabling independence regardless of ability.
We celebrate belonging by enabling individuals to remain in their home environments. CDChoices prides itself on diversity, recruiting caregivers from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities. Our innovative Workforce Recruitment Portal ensures personalized matches, respecting language and cultural preferences. Our dedication to an inclusive workplace recently earned us the esteemed 2023 Best Place to Work award from the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce, a testament to our commitment to company culture. We carry forward our founder’s dream of a world marked by dignity, respect, and individual autonomy. Our pursuit of Constance’s vision, where “self-direction rules the land,” inspires all of us, encompassing the ideals of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. With profound contributions that enrich lives and communities, CDChoices is a pioneer in championing these values.
As the premier provider of consumer self-direction, CDChoices empowers independence and advocates for people with disabilities, seniors, and their families. CDChoices’ vision is an inclusive community without stigma, barriers, or prejudices against people with disabilities. In this community, all people have the choice and necessary support to live independently in an environment of their choosing. We strive to provide unmatched customer service, operating with Maximum efficiency, quality, and compliance. We play an active role in our vision of an inclusive world by ensuring that people with disabilities and their families are involved in the organization’s operations at every level.
We continuously seek and pursue new ideas and opportunities to enhance our programs for consumers and to be a leader and a model for other Fiscal Intermediaries and organizations. We believe that people with disabilities have the right to make their own choices about their lives and take ownership of those choices and outcomes. We believe that people with disabilities are best positioned to decide for themselves.
While our founder is no longer with us, we work together daily to achieve her dream. Because in Constance’s own words, the vision is clear: “May self-direction rule the land!”
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING Con’t- Hongwei Zhang
Appointed as Director of Operations in 2021, Hongwei set herself apart with her analytical insight and outcome-driven approach. Under her leadership, her team exceeded goals. Her climb continued, with promotions to VP of Operations in 2022, followed by Senior VP of Operations in 2023. Hongwei optimized processes and embraced technological advancements that have solidified CDChoices’ position at the forefront of the sector. In the past year, Hongwei masterminded a marketing campaign that fostered connections within the community and raised awareness about our services. Hongwei’s dedication to community engagement is remarkable.
With over 50 partnerships and participation in more than 35 events across New York State in 2023, she has championed CDChoices’ mission of inclusivity and excellence. She influences various initiatives, from supporting LifePath’s Meals on Wheels to contributing to the Veterans Miracle Center and collaborating with the BIANYS, EFNENY, and Housing Authorities. She advocates for consumer rights and self-determination, Hongwei maintains memberships in leading associations like CDPAANYS. Her commitment to professional growth extends to mentoring within the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business group. Hongwei’s journey is defined by her impact on CDChoices and the broader Capital Region. Her vision, dedication, and advocacy exemplify excellence and inspire positive change.
At 16, Hongwei embarked on a journey of immigration from China to the United States, accompanied by her family. Despite acquiring basic English skills during her time in Chinese schools, mastering intricate vocabulary, technical terminology, and idiomatic expressions posed formidable challenges due to language barriers, even as she had laid a foundation in English language skills. These hurdles were particularly challenging in subjects such as Language Arts/Literature, History, and Social Studies during high school, and their persistence extended throughout her college education. Furthermore, Hongwei confronted the complexities of unfamiliar grading systems and the nuances of the college admission process without the guidance of her family, resulting in missed opportunities.
However, Hongwei overcame these adversities, emerging triumphant, and earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from the University of Albany, and a master’s degree in computer information systems from Boston University, specializing in database management and business intelligence. Furthermore, she is achieving remarkable success in her professional journey.