Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award

2024
Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
Dr. B. Donta Truss

For over 22 years, Dr. B. Donta Truss has strengthened low-income and first-generation students’ pathways and access to higher education.  As an accomplished administrator and educator at Historically Black Colleges/Universities and predominantly White institutions, he has leveraged his unique leadership abilities and commitment to disadvantaged students to garner exemplary success in student recruitment and retention.

Dr. Truss has been a stalwart in ensuring that underserved youth are afforded opportunities for success in and out of the classroom.  His impact can be seen through his nonprofit Turning Dreams into Reality (TDIR), which focuses on helping young scholars reach their dreams by providing mentoring, professional development, and scholarships.  Participants in the program learn leadership skills and professionalism and further their knowledge of community development. He has received several commendations for his work, including being selected as one of the 2021 Men of Excellence Honorees for Michigan Chronicle, and he is a 2021 graduate of the Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), which is designed to ensure persons of color are adequately prepared for University/College President roles.

Dr. Truss is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and holds professional memberships in NASPA, SAIR, and the Chi Sigma Iota. While remaining deeply invested in administrative responsibilities, he continues to mentor through his nonprofit organization, Turning Dreams into Reality (TDI), aimed at developing African American Male collegiate scholars through mentorship and financial assistance so they reach their full potential to become the best they can be.

2023
Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
Stephen R. Drew

Stephen Drew is a Grand Rapids Native, graduating from South High School before attending the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School. As a founding lawyer of Drew Cooper & Anding (DCA), As a young man, Stephen was a leader in his high school, founding the Senior Negro Action Group, which focused on creating fair treatment for African American Student-Athletes. Stephen’s passion for Civil Rights continues to be a guiding light for his career and personal life.

Stephen has strongly supported Fulfilling the Dream since its inception, drawn in by the Dream’s commitment to serving minority youth throughout western Michigan. Stephen served as an honorary chair in the inaugural year. In this role, he served as the host member for Egypt Valley Country Club, was a key sponsor for the event, and provided essential feedback to the committee.

During the inaugural year of the Fulfilling the Dream Celebrity Open, Stephen announced starting the Dickey Drew Scholarship fund to honor the lessons he learned from his father and ensure that leadership opportunities are available for African American youth in the Grand Rapids Community.

Stephen continues to be an active Honorary Chair chair of the Fulfilling the Dream Celebrity Open, where he serves as a key sponsor and supporter of its mission, ensuring that all youth are afforded the opportunity to become leaders and successful in life.

2022
Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
Floyd Wilson Jr., Ph.D.
October 7, 1963 – March 15, 2022

Dr. Floyd Wilson Jr. transitioned in life on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. He was a man of faith, family, compassion and dedication. He invested his time and knowledge serving on several boards including: Experience Grand Rapids Board Chair, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids/International Board Chair/Trustee, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Board, West Michigan Policy Forum Board, Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Vice Chairman, Samaritas Board of Directors, and key supporter and Honorary Chair for the Fulfilling the Dream Celebrity Open. He was awarded several achievements in his lifetime such as: Father of the Year (issued by the American Diabetes Association), the Giants, Walter Coe Public Services Award (issued by Grand Rapids Community College), and so many more.

Dr. Wilson was a mentor and advocate for young black men and women. He stood firm on the belief that black men, specifically black fathers should be present and accountable to the overall care of their families and children. He believed in ownership and entrepreneurship. His motto was “Health, Wealth and Happiness.” And, he believed in accountability, hard work and gave no excuses.

Dr. Wilson was compassionate about cultivating and investing in the next generation, knowing that through these efforts, success is woven into the fabric of any organization. He put the essence of his life into the hearts and minds of his children, creating a legacy that will live long past his grandchildren’s children.

2021
Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
Bill and India Manns

A native Detroiter, India Manns moved from Oakland, California to Grand Rapids, Michigan in October 2013 with her husband, Bill, who at the time had taken a position as President of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital. They have one son Justin, currently a senior at Loyola University Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Central State University, a historically black college (HBCU) in Wilberforce, Ohio, and a Master of Science Administration degree in General Administration from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

What some describe as a force to be reckoned with, “Community Advocate”, is how she humbly refers to herself. India is extremely active throughout Grand Rapids, and very passionate about improving the lives of people of color and those disenfranchised in the community. Titled with many leadership roles and an unyielding vigor, she dedicates her time volunteering with many organizations. She currently serves on 7 non-profit governing and foundation boards, 16 board committees, and a host of other community committees.

She has 20+ years of sales and management experience. Prior to moving to California in 2005, for 8 years she worked as an Account Manager at WorkPlace Integrators, Inc., an authorized Steelcase Dealership located outside of Detroit, Michigan. Most of those years were spent servicing the prestigious Ford Motor Company account where she was tasked in 2003 with furnishing the highly acclaimed Dearborn Truck Plant renovation. While in California, for 6 years she worked as Lead Designer at HomeStagers, Inc., a home staging company that decorates homes for sale in the very competitive San Francisco real estate market.
India is a hard worker, strong advocate for change, bringing tremendous experience, value and compassion to aid the meeting of goals and objectives to any organization she is involved with. If you know her, you know she has a passion for racial/gender equity; diversity and inclusion; education and health issues related to women, children, and people of color.

A loss to Grand Rapids, in 2018 her husband Bill began working outside of the community. Initially as President of Mercy Health St. Joseph Ann Arbor and Livingston Hospitals, he now serves as President and CEO of Bronson Healthcare Group in Kalamazoo. None of this impeded India’s dedication to moving equity issues forward in Grand Rapids, she remains involved with many of her community passions and organizations.