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Research shows that adolescents who have an adult mentor are far less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. Mentoring relationships create continuing cycles of hope and promise, as they not only provide positive influences for individual children, but also strengthen families and communities.”

 

Clifford B. Simmons

Clifford B. Simmons, born and raised in Harlem, has a true love and understanding of the community, its needs and its possibilities. He has committed his life to community service in order to make it and the world a better place to live. His love for family, community and all children is sincere. He lives to FULFILL THE DREAM shared by Dr. King in his immortal words, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

To accomplish this legacy, Cliff co-founded and is the Executive Director of The Blue Nile Passage, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that has become a “beacon of hope” to assist youth in their spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual and cultural development. With a focus on youth of African decent, the program enlightens youth of their goodness, greatness, potential, responsibilities, and possibilities. Through Cliff's leadership and vision, The Blue Nile Passage has evolved into a nationally known and respected rites-of-passage youth program. In fact, in the year 2000, the program was awarded as the top volunteer organization in New York City from a pool of 4,000 nominees. Through a warm and nurturing personality, Cliff has been able to continually inspire new volunteers who share his passion for empowering and uplifting youth. Because of this gift, Cliff is consistently sought after for guidance and direction by similar organizations nationwide seeking to start their own rites-of-passage program.

For six years Cliff taught Character Development and Leadership skills to youth in public schools throughout Harlem . Life lessons included self-esteem building, career guidance and planning, conflict resolution, meditation, male-female relationships, time management, African American history, public speaking and mutual respect and tolerance for themselves and humankind.

Cliff's vision of Harlem is one where the economic, social and political infrastructure is owned and controlled by the people of the community. To help accomplish this goal, Cliff spent four years at the Abyssinian Development Corporation as a Project Manager for the Neighborhood Franchise Program. This program was designed to link local entrepreneurs with national franchisers to create local ownership of businesses offering services to the community that were either lacking or non-existent. Under Cliff's management, three successful local ventures were started: Sterling Optical, Papa John's Pizza, the first in New York City and the newly opened IHOP, the first in the borough of Manhattan .

As a Project Manager with the Central Harlem Local Development Corporation, Cliff was the liaison between the Department of Business Services and Central Harlem business owners. He advocated on their behalf and supported their marketing efforts. Cliff also oversaw the $30 million reconstruction of Harlem 's Malcolm X Boulevard by ensuring that residential and business concerns were amicably resolved, safety issues addressed, and employment opportunities were made available to residents of the community.

For 5 years Cliff was Chairman of the Board of Christian Social Concern of the Abyssinian Baptist Church . During that time Cliff worked diligently with Rev. Butts in fighting against social issues including negative images of African-Americans in the music industry, police brutality, the prison industrial complex and school board representation to name a few. Currently, Cliff is still involved in social activism in Harlem with Rev. Butts and other members of the Harlem community.

Cliff attended Bernard M. Baruch College , where he studied Marketing Management. Diane, Cliff's wife of 23 years, is a Legal Secretary with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Cliff and Diane reside in Harlem and are the proud parents of two sons, Davon, 27, a Chemical Engineer; Clifford, Jr., 19, a Jackie Robinson Scholar and sophomore attending Morehouse College in Atlanta; and a daughter Shanell, 12, an honor student at Manhattan East Junior High School.

Awards & Accolades

  • Martin Luther King “Fulfilling the Dream” Award , WCBS Television - Channel 2, 2000
  • Mayor's Volunteer Service Award , The City of New York, 2000
  • Father of the Year Award , MLK Boys & Girls Club, Canaan Baptist Church, NYC 2001
  • Parent of the Year Award , Black Teachers Who Care, NYC 2002
  • Family of the Year Award , Abyssinian Baptist Church, NYC 2002
  • Recognition of Service Award , The Council of Churches of the City of New York, 2002
  • Fatherhood Award , New York City Male Involvement Consortium, 2004
  • Inspiration to Youth Award , Family Academy, 2004

 

 

 


 

 

 
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