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MLK Dream Builder Awards

Meet the Honorees

Community Dream Builder

Adrienne King Founder and President, The PairUP Society Adrienne King is a wife, mother of two daughters, career woman, business owner, and community advocate and organizer. A native of Warminster, Pa., she graduated from the Centennial School District as one of the few black families in the district, and often the only in her classes. Through this experience, she learned at an early age the value of learning about others and working together while also embracing her differences. She founded the The PairUP Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, after experiencing difficulties in her children’s school district and realizing the challenges in navigating that system. There was a real need to provide student support, resources to equip parents to advocate for their children, and ways to celebrate diversity.Ms. King is a God-fearing woman whose core values are faith, family, authenticity, and growth. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than two decades, and is also an entrepreneur as co-owner of So Fresh So Green Juice Co. She is passionate about creating safe spaces, developing others, taking action and servicing others. She also serves on the Bucks County NAACP Executive Committee and as the co-lead of the Public Education Committee. Ms. King has championed many diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives both within the corporate, educational and community environments.A first-generation college graduate, Ms. King holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh; Master of Science in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs from Temple University; and leadership certifications from Duke University and Cornell University. She resides with her family in Perkasie, Pa., where she is committed to putting roots down and doing the work to build a beloved community.

Corporate Dream Builder

Dr. Vail P. Garvin President & CEO Emerita, Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce Dr. Vail P. Garvin recently retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, which she led for 23 years. Representing nearly 1,500 chamber members, Dr. Garvin worked to cultivate economic and cultural growth in the region.In addition, Dr. Garvin launched a Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce DEI Committee, and brought in as keynote speaker Ret. Admiral Michelle Howard, the first woman and first African American Vice Chief of Naval Operations for the United States Navy. Dr. Garvin had served as a trustee for the U.S. Naval War College, where she and Adm. Howard had become close friends.Dr. Garvin personally sponsored for the Doylestown Rotary a screening of the movie, “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer.” The powerful film about finding common ground between peace officers and the communities they serve was shown in conjunction with the Bucks County Peace Center, Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub, and the Bucks County Commissioners.Prior to the Chamber, Dr. Garvin was Senior Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs for Independence Blue Cross. Prior to that, she served as CEO of Warminster General Hospital, the first woman to hold that position.Dr. Garvin grew up in Levittown, the daughter of an Army Major and an Army nurse. A battle with polio at age 12 taught her the value of community, as she attended school from home by telephone. It also motivated her to enter the healthcare field and dedicate her life to helping others. After graduating from Neshaminy High School, Dr. Garvin earned a nursing degree from Emory University, and eventually earned a doctorate in public administration from Nova University.Dr. Garvin continues to give back to the community by serving on many boards, including the James A. Michener Art Museum Board of Trustees, the Doylestown Historical Society, the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership Board, the Spark Bowl at Delaware Valley University, and the FBI Citizens Academy.

Humanitarian Dream Builder

Karen Downer President, Bucks County NAACP Since 2018, Karen Downer has served as President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Bucks County Chapter.Ms. Downer’s prior experience was in the field of financial services as regional vice president of a large bank. Her wealth of banking knowledge was in retail banking services with involvement in sales and service leadership. Her experience included a National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) securities license, and managing and developing NASD licensed professionals selling mutual funds and insurance. In addition, her experience included human resources specialist, resource training and development, and director of community banking.She was also chief financial officer for a start-up non-profit organization with a grassroots agenda of addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic through testing and prevention education in the Philadelphia African American community. She is currently vice president on the board of directors for a nonprofit corporation which does HIV prevention education, medical case management, breast health, and hunger relief for underprivileged, underserved members of the Philadelphia community and their families who are living with HIV.Ms. Downer attended Arcadia University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Banking Management. She has been a resident of Bensalem Township for more than 65 years. She is married and has a son and daughter, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Student Dream Builder

Lateefat Adewale, '23 President, Bucks County Community College Student Government Association Lateefat Adewale is a Sophomore at Bucks County Community College, where she currently serves as the President of the Student Government Association. She is also a student liaison for the Foundation Board. Ms. Adewale is pursuing a business degree and plans to transfer to Temple University. She is a graduate of Harry S. Truman High School in Levittown, where she was a member of the drama program, the varsity track and field team, the varsity soccer team, KEYS Club, Student government, and VOICE (Variety of Individual Cultural Expression) club.One of six children whose parents emigrated from Nigeria, Ms. Adewale currently works at Chick-Fil-A in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, as a marketing manager. She aspires to one day own and operate a Chick-fil-A franchise of her own.In her spare time, you can find Ms. Adewale working out in the gym, building Lego sets, watching movies, shopping, hosting game nights or dinner parties with her friends, or dreaming about traveling to Iceland to see the northern lights. She would like to thank her supportive community/family at Bucks for pushing her to be her best self, and for recognizing her hard work and efforts to make Bucks the best it can possibly be!

Ceremony Schedule

Linksz Pavilion, Newtown Campus

2/23/2023

Live Stream Begins at 5:30 p.m.

Musical prelude: Bucks Faculty Jazz Combo - Jeff Baumeister, Peter Chiovarou, Mark Pultorak, Tom Razler

The National Anthem
- Bucks County Community College Madrigal Singers, Under the direction of Professor Rochelle Reed

Video

Bucks County Community College Remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Introduction of the President

Kevin L. Antoine, JD
Associate Vice President, Government & Community Relations /Chief DEI Officer

Remarks

Felicia L. Ganther, JD, PhD
President

Musical Selection

MLK, Bucks County Community College Madrigal Singers

Award Presentations with video introductions

Community Dream Builder – Adrienne King
Corporate Dream Builder – Dr. Vail P. Garvin
Humanitarian Dream Builder – Karen Downer
Student Dream Builder – Lateefat Adewale

Closing Remarks

Dr. Felicia L. Ganther

Closing Musical Selection

Lift Every Voice and Sing
- Bucks County Community College Madrigal Singers

Special thanks to presenting sponsor Parx Casino

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Biography of Kevin Antoine
MLK Dream Builder Awards
MLK Dream Builders Award Winners

Kevin Antoine, JD

Associate Vice President, Community & Government Relations | Chief Diversity Officer

215-968-8093 kevin.antoine@bucks.edu Tyler 228

Fulbright Specialist Scholar

Kevin Antoine, JD

Associate Vice President, Community & Government Relations | Chief Diversity Officer

215-968-8093 kevin.antoine@bucks.edu Tyler 228

Fulbright Specialist Scholar