HAMILTON,Ont.- Israel Crooks, the founder of an art project, who has mentored at-risk youth by helping  them “articulate their experience through painting,” was among more than a dozen “accomplished individuals,” who were recipients of this year’s John C.Howard Awards.

The annual Awards recognize African-Canadian achievement and contribution among youth and adults in the city of Hamilton.

On Saturday, 15 were presented with the awards at a gala ceremony at LIUNA Station.

They adult awardees were:

Israel Crooks (Jackie Washington Arts Award)

Crooks founded the impArt Project for at-risk youth in 2013.

Mark John Stewart ( Business Award)

Stewart is chairman of the advisory council of  Empowerment Squared, an  international organization focussed on youth development

Albert Graham ( Community Service Award)

Graham worked with the Out of the Cold Program and other community organizations.

Ken Stone (Vince Morgan AllyAward)

Stone is a political activist with the Community Coalition Against Racism.

Sandi Bell (Award of Merit)

Bell is the founder and president of EMPOWWORD Inc., a mediation, training and development firm.

Among  the youth awardees  were several university and high school students.

The following is the full list of youth awardees:

Tyler Williams– (Ethilda “Tilly” Johnson Bursary) Gabriela Roberts-(Evelyn Myrie Political Action Bursary)

Aba Ansa Sam– (The Girls Rock Scholarship)

Sonia Igboanugo – (Lincoln Alexander Scholarship) Salsabil Sarhan – (Marlene Thomas Scholarship)

 Rebecca Matsakawo (Nelson Mandela Scholarship)

Tatyanna Burk  (Raymond G. Lewis Scholarship)

 Faisal Mohamed (Rev. George Horton Scholarship)

Cree Bell and Cordell James (Community Matters Award)