The award was given at the YWCA's Evening of Style, on Feb. 9, at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, honoring “women in the community who embody power, style and brilliance,” according to Chaneta Brooks Montoban of the YWCA board of directors. In a letter to Jabbar-Bey she wrote, “Out of the overwhelming number of nominations, the committee felt that you exemplified what this award stands for. You truly deserve this recognitionÉ.”
Jabbar-Bey was “honored for her efforts to identify important community issues, especially challenges facing those not part of the economic and social mainstream.” In her position at UD, “she seeks to empower young people to consider causes and effects of social and economic issues and to affect positive and sustainable change,” according to the YWCA.
“Raheema is very deserving of this prestigious award,” Maria Aristigueta, professor and director of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, said. “She is a great asset to the school, where she has exerted great leadership in our recruitment and orientation efforts to promote a highly diverse and talented student body. She is equally well- respected in the community, where she works in providing assistance with community and economic development.”
Steve Peuquet, director of the Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS) and associate professor in the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, said, “My colleagues and I in CCRS are very proud that the YWCA has chosen to recognize Raheemah for her many accomplishments. She has been a member of the staff for more than 20 years and is recognized within the University, the state and the nation for her knowledge, expertise and commitment in the field of community and economic development.
“She works tirelessly to understand the causes of and solutions to the problems that plague low-income neighborhoods here in Delaware and elsewhere. Her approach is to help people become empowered, to help them recognize and build their own human capital and the physical and social capital of their communities.”
Jabbar-Bey directs the Community-Based Development Training Program, now in its 14th year. As part of this program, she developed the nationally recognized Community Economic Development Certificate Course and also has been instrumental in designing courses in Brownfields and Environmental Justice, Faith-Based Community Development, Grant Writing and Resource Development and Board Governance.
Instrumental in mobilizing support for Delaware's Neighborhood Assistance Act, Jabbar-Bey served as co-facilitator in designing the Wilmington Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. She also is involved in research for the Annie E. Casey Foundation in identifying the relationship between strengthening families and community development.
Jabbar-Bey received her master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Article by Sue Moncure
