The annual Circle of Excellence event started in 2019 by founding members of the BMPA. When Jonathan Baker, Manika Williams, Bryan Drewery, Ahdra Young, and Natalie Coles created the event their intent was to showcase minority students in Bexley City Schools while highlighting community members who support the BMPA.

The BMPA was created 2015 to help gain a voice for the minority families in Bexley City Schools. Within 5 years the group successfully created the Circle of Excellence. In that time frame over 23 scholarships have been awarded with a grand total of over $21k. That’s a huge success for the BMPA. They completely raise funds with their Art Auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to scholarships.

This year, I was honored to serve as the host. We were blessed to have with us local artist Collen Daniel, who played an African drum session and had the crowd clap along. Then, principals from each school honored the 5th, 8th and 12th grade graduating students and shared how each student impacted their lives. Next, student Maya Murray introduced our guest speaker, Barb Smoot, the president & CEO of Women for Economic and Leadership Development, who spoke to the importance of living with compassion, gaining your education and making good decisions.

Next, the community awards for recipients who support the BMPA and the city of Bexley went to:

• Thomas Payton Citizen Award: Wayne Roberts

• Kim Rhodes School Staff Award: Marcelius Braxton

• Bowles Ford Alumni Winner: Youssef Abouhashish

• Friend of BMPA Winners: Bexley Public Library, Bexley Coalition for Equitable Policing

The students who won scholarships were:

• Cub Pride Award: Amalia Dreibelbis

• Nager, Romaine, Schneiberg Scholarship: Lydia Baker

• Joann Drewry Trust: Maya Murray

• Lella Parsons Scholarship: Madison Lampke

• Art Scholarships: Nicole Lin, Abigail Thompson, Kiera Murray, Ava Foster, and Braxton Johnson

With each scholarship given the feeling of hope was also awarded. Hope that all students can achieve educational success and financially afford a higher education. The final ceremony award went to founding member Bryan Drewry which was the Legacy Award for all his committed hard work in the BMPA. Bryan has been a vital component in the BMPA to make progress in Bexley with the school board and with social activism. Thank you, Bryan Drewry.