The MLK Youth Awards Luncheon changed how my daughter sees herself. Standing on that stage, being recognized for her community service, gave her a sense of belonging and purpose I have never seen before.
Summer 2026 Edition
"We are creating real-world solutions to the challenges that affect everyone. Through collective effort and deep partnership with our community, we continue to be that positive light for young Black men across Westchester County."
John Tuller President, African American Men of Westchester
Our Four Pillars
Mission— ✦ —
AAMW's Brotherhood Breakfast is the most important room I walk into each year. The conversations, connections, and commitment to Westchester's future are unmatched. This organization embodies what partnership truly means.
The Albertina Bloom Scholarship didn't just cover tuition — it told me I was worth investing in. AAMW saw potential in me when I needed it most, and I carry that with me every single day at college.
Con Edison is proud to stand alongside AAMW. Their work developing Westchester's youth through financial literacy and leadership programs is exactly the kind of community investment that creates lasting impact.
Competing in the Business Skills Olympics was the most challenging — and most rewarding — experience of my high school years. Analyzing a Harvard Business School case with my team taught me how to think, collaborate, and lead under pressure.
White Plains Hospital believes deeply in building healthy communities from the ground up. AAMW's programs, initiatives, advocacy, and wellness fairs are a lifeline for families across Westchester.
Feature Story
Dr. King's Legacy Lives On: The 2026 MLK Youth Awards Luncheon
2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Youth Awards Luncheon — Westchester County's largest MLK tribute event.
Each January, more than 500 members of the Westchester community gather for the county's largest event held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Co-presented with the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the annual MLK Legacy Youth Awards Luncheon honors middle and high school students who have chosen, in the spirit of Dr. King, to answer the call of service.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This year's honorees were recognized across seven inspiring award categories — Building Bridges, Perseverance, Peace & Non-Violence, Social Action, Social Justice, Spirit of Love, and Vision — each reflecting a dimension of Dr. King's enduring philosophy. The luncheon is a reminder that his legacy is not preserved in monuments alone, but renewed in the hearts of every young person who chooses to serve.
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Business Skills Olympics
Education
2026 Business Skills Olympics — 150+ students from Westchester high schools competing on Harvard Business School case. This yesr's case was centered around "affordable housing.
Now in its second decade, the Business Skills Olympics is one of AAMW's most transformative youth programs. Each year, high school teams from across Westchester County analyze real Harvard Business School case studies and present their solutions to a distinguished panel of judges drawn from business, education, and law. More than just a competition, it's a gateway.
"One of my students was accepted by Johns Hopkins University partly because he attended the Business Skills Olympics. It gave me the confidence to realize that I could accomplish any problem set before me."— Program Alumna & Founder, RecoveRead
The 2026 competition, scheduled for April 22nd of this year, takes on one of today's most pressing issues: "Affordable Housing". Teams will analyze the Flanner House and Community-Led Development Harvard Business School case, exploring how a century-old nonprofit navigates the hard choices of financing 120 units of housing amid rising displacement pressures.
2026 Business Skills Olympics — First Place Gold Medal Winning Team - White Plains High School
2026 Business Skills Olympics — Judges - Top Row: Dean Akbar of White Plains Hospital, Michael Carmody: Attorney. Parker & Carmod, Dr. Neritan Mani: White Plains Hospital, Bottom Row: Bernie Thombs, AAMW BSO Chairman, Jan Fisher, Executive director of NonProfit Westchester, Blanca Lopez, Westchester Planning Commissioner,Aleida Frederico: Board Chair, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Barbara Lerman: Attorney, Law Office of Barbara Lerman, John Tuller, AAMW President
Eon Nichols - AAMW Member - Keynote Speaker
Facilitator - Amy Tovak County Planning Board
Facilitator - Soria Monteira, White Plains Hospital
Facilitator - Anthony Epps - AAMW Member
Facilitator - Ralph Amicucci, Esquire
Facilitator - Julie Pesko, HCI Co-Chair , White Plains Hospital
Facilitator - Trae Cooper - Professor, College of Westchester
Facilitator - Ximena Francella - County Planning Board
Facilitator - Bernadette Amicucci - White Plains Hospital
Facilitator - Gordon Bell, AAMW Member
Facilitator - Olney Reynolds - AAMW Member
Facilitator - Eric Eller, AAMW Member
Facilitator - Elisabeth Evans, White Plains Hospital
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Pictures from the 2026 Environmental Workshop & Fishing Outing
Environmental Coach Host/Sponsor
Fishing Outing on the Long Island Sound - "We all hat a great time"
New from AAMW
Audio Podcast
New Podcast Series
Cyber Safe-Now
Navigating internet safety, social media risks, and the digital world — the facts you need NOW. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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2026 Calendar of Events
UpcomingJul
7-11
Golf Clinic
Empowering youth with essential golf skills.
Sep
12
Soccer Clinic
Teaching, coaching and refining basic soccer skills.
Oct
TBD
Brotherhood Breakfast
Provided in partnership with the Business Council of Westchester, through this program, Westchester's leaders discuss strategies that are mutually beneficial.
Nov
TBD
AAMW Award Gala
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AAMW Member Voices
AAMW Members"I was thrilled to facilitate a diverse group of high schoolers collaborate to tackle the global challenge of housing at the AAMW Business Competition. When they crystallized a new concept or crafted an aspect of their solution, you could see the lights bulbs turning on above thier heads."
I have been with this organization for many years and it never ceases to amaze me as to how the young people in our Westchester community are so able to adapt, change and successfully achieve their goals as was so admirably demonstrated at the recent Business Skills Olympic competition. As a member of AAMW it is extremely rewarding to know that “We make a difference”.
My participation in the Business Skills Olympics was very rewarding. The students were fired up. I had the opportunity to visit a number of teams and watch them put it all together without the resources of an Internet. e.g. no laptop or cell phones. Bravo. To each and every member of AAMW, it feels good to be a member of this organization.
I have been a member of African American Men of Westchester for more than 30 years, and what originally attracted me to this Ensemble of African American Men, still excites and energies me about AAMW today. The 4 pillars, Health, Economics, Education and Social Justice are the core mission and foundation of AAMW service core.
Competing in the Business Skills Olympics was the most challenging — and most rewarding — experience of my high school years. Analyzing a Harvard Business School case with my team taught me how to think, collaborate, and lead under pressure.
White Plains Hospital believes deeply in building healthy communities from the ground up. AAMW's health initiatives, mental health advocacy, and wellness fairs are a lifeline for families across Westchester.
It is truly wonderful to witness sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Westchester County Public High Schools compete to develop unique and thought-provoking solutions to complex Harvard Business School case studies. Their talent and dedication gives me great confidence that our future is bright.
The Business Skills Olympics has been a mainstay in the annual lineup of AAMW programs for youth. It's great to see students work as a group to solve a problem and then present their solutions to a set of judges under competitive pressure like a sporting event.