Lesleyann Samuel accepts her award from Rainford “Perry” Bloomfield, Instant Previous President of the KC Outdated Boys Affiliation New York Chapter. | Photograph courtesy of Leonard McKenzie
NEW YORK – Jamaican born engineer and neighborhood chief Lesleyann Samuel is celebrating a lifetime of volunteer service together with her newest accolade – the Kingston School Outdated Boys Affiliation USA (KCOBA) Neighborhood Award for Management and Philanthropy.
The award is considered one of a number of handed out yearly by the New York Chapter of the Kingston College alumni organization to people who’ve contributed considerably to their communities within the USA. Samuel, an alumna of the Immaculate Conception Excessive Faculty (ICHS) in Jamaica and a former president of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc. (UJAA), was acknowledged for her contribution to the ICHS Alumnae Affiliation and for her achievements as UJAA President throughout her eight 12 months tenure from 2014 to 2022.
Offered on the KCOBA USA Annual Reunion and Awards Gala at Auntun’s in Queens Village, New York in Might, the award is the newest in a protracted line of tributes which were bestowed on Samuel for her voluntary and philanthropic neighborhood efforts, which span almost 4 many years.
Lesleyann Samuel’s Ardour for Neighborhood Service
Born in Kingston, Jamaica to R. Karl and Olga Samuel, Samuel’s ardour for neighborhood service was ignited at an early age by her aunt, the late Dothlyn Joyce (“Dotty”) Campbell, former head of dance at Jamaica’s Pageant Fee (now the Jamaica Cultural Improvement Fee – JCDC).
In keeping with Samuel, “Along with her job, my aunt volunteered in plenty of organizations and was at all times serving to others. I learnt then that life is extra than simply our day-to-day jobs. Life is about stepping as much as our calling. For me, meaning doing what I imagine I’m presupposed to do within the service of others who may have no matter assist I could possibly provide.”
Samuel immigrated to the USA on the age of 13 and attended Samuel J. Tilden Excessive Faculty in Brooklyn (now Meyer Levin Junior Excessive Faculty), occurring to earn a scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an engineering college in upstate New York.
Samuels graduated from Rensselaer together with her Bachelor of Science Diploma in Engineering, which might result in her turning into considered one of a small however rising variety of black feminine engineers being employed at main communication and tech corporations within the early 1980’s. She landed a place with New Jersey Bell – which later turned Bell Atlantic and, finally, Verizon. After spending over a decade working with Verizon in Maryland, she returned to the Tri state space together with her need to “give ahead” as robust as ever.
Alumnae Affiliation Involvement
Lesleyann Samuel | Photograph courtesy of Leonard McKenzie
“It began with my getting concerned with my alma mater Immaculate at first, as a result of I used to be part of the fifth era in my household to attend the college. My mother was at all times concerned within the alumnae affiliation, in Jamaica after which in New York, so my sisters and I adopted swimsuit. Then by 2012, I used to be working extensively with UJAA- on the board and actually having fun with travelling to Jamaica and making my contribution. So in 2014, I made a decision to take the subsequent main step and run for UJAA president, following within the footsteps of my sister Karlene who was president earlier than me.”
Karlene inspired Lesleyann to “step up” and supported her by the complete journey.
In keeping with Samuel, “Most of us are energetic in our alumni associations as a result of we attended phenomenal faculties with phenomenal academics. By giving ahead (I intentionally don’t ever use the phrase giving “again,” as a result of that’s not our path), we exhibit our patriotism – our love for Jamaica – by serving to to make sure that those that come after us have nearly as good or higher experiences than ours.”
Her time period as UJAA president was prolonged as a result of COVID pandemic and by the point it was over in 2022, the UJAA membership had grown from 32 to over 60 alumni organizations throughout her presidency – an achievement of which she is very proud.
Together with her engineering background, she has additionally been a serious power behind UJAA’s assist of robotics in Jamaican faculties, and has chaperoned a number of Jamaican scholar delegations to worldwide robotics competitions in recent times. Her newest challenge together with her personal Immaculate Alumnae Affiliation consists of extending the robotics program to Immaculate’s Preparatory college, the place they participated within the FIRST® LEGO League Jamaica program in late June.
Samuel finds that the one of many nice ironies in her lifetime of service has been the best way wherein her neighborhood volunteer actions have influenced her professionally, somewhat than the opposite approach round.
Lesleyann Samuel | Photograph courtesy of Elliot Peter Guilbe
“Curiously, my management and communication abilities have been developed by my neighborhood efforts and helped me in my engineering career- not the opposite approach spherical. To each, I deliver my dedication to a excessive normal of efficiency. I additionally perceive that working with volunteers may be very totally different than working with individuals who’re being paid to do a job. And I additionally keep optimistic, and proceed as if success is inevitable.”
Quite a few Neighborhood Service Awards
Along with her newest award from KCOBA, Samuel has been the recipient of quite a few others. Awards together with The Bob Marley One Love Management Award from The Cease The Violence Alliance, The Caribbean Life Impression Award, The Founders Award from the ICHS Alumnae Affiliation and the US Home of Representatives Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
As for the longer term, Samuel isn’t but able to decelerate.
“I wish to get hold of my doctorate in Organizational Management,” she says, “So I’m presently on the lookout for the suitable packages for me. I might additionally love to do extra work in Jamaica and am at all times find out how to contribute in new methods. However typically, I’m staying open to the chances – prepared as I’ve at all times been to step by the doorways as they open.”
