FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury is proud to announce the selection of YMCA of Greater Louisville Black Achievers as the Louisville Field Office’s recipient of the 2023 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). Senior Director for Youth Development and YMCA Black Achievers Director, DeVonne Sorel, will join DCLA award recipients from across the country in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2024, to receive the official award in a ceremony hosted by FBI Director Christopher Wray.

YMCA of Greater Louisville Black Achievers is being honored for their multicultural effort to create equity in education and the workplace by motivating multicultural youth to develop and pursue high educational and career goals. YMCA Black Achievers serves 75 zip codes over a 35-mile radius and provides valuable resources to the minority youth of Kentucky and southern Indiana. Throughout 2023, YMCA Black Achievers and FBI Louisville partnered on a number of career development opportunities to include participating in the Government Career Cluster at the Chestnut Family YMCA and a group visit to the Louisville Field Office to learn about the FBI’s science and technology career fields.

“Kentuckiana multicultural youth have turned to the YMCA Black Achievers program for guidance, character development, and diverse opportunities for more than four decades. Over the last year, we have seen first-hand their dedication and commitment to the Louisville area’s next generation of leaders,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI’s Louisville Field Office. “We are appreciative of the partnership forged thus far and look forward to its growth for years to come.”

“Together, our community grows stronger and more resilient. The YMCA Black Achievers Program thrives on the dedication of our community volunteers and partnerships with organizations, all aimed at shaping a better future for our youth. I’m grateful to the Louisville Field Office for the recognition. I’m also honored to accept the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award on behalf of the YMCA of Greater Louisville and our YMCA Black Achiever village,” said Senior Director for Youth Development and YMCA Black Achievers Director DeVonne Sorel of the YMCA of Greater Louisville. “This award underscores the power of collaborative efforts in nurturing our youth, providing mentorship, and igniting their aspirations. Witnessing the spark of ambition in our youth as they explore various careers is truly rewarding. From engineers to doctors, teachers to lawyers, and even aspiring special agents, our youth are inspired to DREAM BIG.”

Since 1979, over 21,000 youth have enrolled in the YMCA Black Achievers program. To date, the program has awarded over $30 million in college scholarships to 2,500 high school seniors through partnerships with various colleges and scholarship sponsors. The YMCA Black Achievers program provides students with hands-on learning and enrichment opportunities in various professional fields.

The Director’s Community Leadership Award was formally created in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. Recipients of this award are recognized for their service above and beyond the call of duty to help keep America and its residents safe and are selected based on nominations from each of the FBI’s 56 field offices.

For additional information on the DCLA and this prestigious award, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/about/community-outreach/dcla.