By: Michelle LeGuerre
Utica – The Mohawk Valley Frontiers proudly announces its 2026 Community Service
Honorees—Maya Nelson, David Jones, and Carol Croomes BECA Center—along
with Courtney and Teoka Muhammad, founders and recipients of the Friends of the
Frontiers Award, recognizing outstanding leadership in education, health, youth
development, and environmental stewardship.
Maya Nelson, an Adjunct Professor at Mohawk Valley Community College, author
of Balanced Ties, and former Communications Director for the New York State
Assembly, advances community well-being through mental-health fairs with
Connected Schools, AI and digital-literacy training for seniors through the NAACP at
Jervis Library, mentoring at-risk youth for college access, and spearheading the annual
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Zion Church, uniting clergy, community leaders, and residents.
David Jones, a dedicated Rotarian and active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica, serves as Project Chair of the Urban Tree Planting Project, helping Utica surpass 100 trees planted while partnering with Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers and Utica Royalties to bring more than 70 youth to the Black River Outdoor Education Program for hands-on learning in kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and environmental awareness.
Carol Croomes BECA Center, on the edge of historic Cornhill, in Utica, continues to be a vital hub for health, culture, and youth empowerment. Led by community advocate Carol
Croomes and supported by founders Courtney and Teoka Muhammad, the Center
hosts prostate-cancer awareness workshops with MVHS and leads the Women
Supporting Women’s Health Cultural Conversation Series, recently welcoming more
than 40 women to a Sip & Paint focused on cervical cancer, reproductive health,
and nutrition, featuring Dr. Cynthia Jones (Mosaic Health), Dr. Hua (Family Practice),
and Ms. Solano (Health Educator). The BECA Center also brings neighbors together through
open-mic events with live music and entertainment. Instructors, on site provide guidance with after-school life-skills programs, culinary classes, Zumba fitness, and an on-site café.
The honorees will be recognized at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon on
Monday, January 19, at Hart’s Hill Inn, featuring Dr. Winston Oluwole Soboyejo,
President of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, as the keynote speaker. A nationally
respected engineer and innovator, Dr. Soboyejo holds more than 250 patents and is
widely recognized for advancing research, technology, and inclusive excellence in
higher education.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door. All proceeds support scholarships, senior dinners, college tours, and tutoring programs, powered by a team of professional volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise to uplift youth and families across the Mohawk Valley. For ticket information, contact U’nice Elliott Jefferson at (315) 534-4029 or UELLIOT3@AOL.COM, or Michelle Laguerre at laguerremedia@gmail.com.
