The Concrete Rose Foundation hosts ceremony honoring girls and mentors

Ashley Robinson, left, pose for a picture with one of her mentees during the Concrete Rose Foundation's 2025 Sneaker Ball Banquet at the A. Quinn Jones Auditorium.

Written by: Voleer Thomas
Published: March 17, 2025

The Concrete Rose Foundation hosted its prestigious awards ceremony banquet on Sat. Feb. 8 at the A. Quinn Jones Auditorium, celebrating the accomplishments of more than 25 girls and mentors.

The banquet was a testament to the impact of The Concrete Rose Foundation, which continues to empower young girls through mentorship, academic support and community engagement.

“I’m amazed to see it come this far,” said Ashley Robinson, president of the foundation. “It is a testament to what God can do. It started as a recess group, and it has grown to over 25 girls in the foundation and 100 guests at the awards banquet.”

The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, special recognitions and an inspiring keynote address delivered by Judge Meshon Rawls. 

Titled “Dream Big,” the speech focused on the legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on the world, encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams and create change.

She used a step stool to illustrate how organizations like the foundation serve as stepping stones for young girls to access life-changing opportunities. 

To further emphasize her point, Rawls brought her granddaughter on stage for a live demonstration.

“When you dream big, you will find out it is not easy to achieve your goals, but you will have others who will believe in you and make your dreams come true,” Rawls said. “Those are the people you want to be around. Mentoring programs like The Concrete Rose Foundation can help you reach your goals. Take advantage of all of those opportunities.” 

The ceremony honored recipients with various awards, including the Academic Excellence Award, Dedicated Chaperone Award, Humanitarian Award, Advisor of Excellence, Pillar of Support, Key Contributor Award and the Heart and Soul Award.

The event recognized the dedication of those who have contributed to the program’s mission of empowerment and community service. 

Robinson thanked sponsors and donors for their monetary contributions to make the program a success since its inception in 2019.

Robinson thanked the late Dr. Natalie Valdez and Bernard S. Phillip II and donors such as Valerie McCray and Diyonne McGraw.

McGraw was Robinson’s mentor when she was 14 years old, and Robinson thanked her for her guidance. 

“I hope she feels a deep sense of pride in what her mentee created for the youth,” Robinson said. “Her belief in our mission is truly invaluable.” 

A warm welcome was given by Susan McClellan, the foundation’s secretary, who highlighted the impact of the foundation and its extension, the Chi Rho Phi Youth Sorority.

“This ceremony was created to honor, uplift and celebrate exceptional mentees,” McClellan said. “They persevered through determination and grace. This is a tribute to their growth and accomplishments.” 

A significant moment of the night was the induction of two new members into the youth sorority: Janay Johnson and A’laiah Walker.

Current members Madison Ray, A’laiah Walker, and Jameyah Curry shared their personal experiences, expressing gratitude for how the foundation has shaped their lives.

“At first I thought it was just a group I wanted to be in just to be with my friends, but I learned it was much more than that,” Ray said. “I have mentors who care about my growth. It is a sisterhood that holds each other accountable and leads with integrity.”

The pinning and awards ceremony was led by McClellan, Robinson and advisor Michelle Patrick.

Among the attendees was Reneasia Watson, who has been part of the program for four years. Watson shared how deeply the foundation has
influenced her personal and academic
growth.

“Concrete Roses is more than just a group of girls,” Watson said. “It offers second-chance opportunities of a lifetime to lift our sisters up. It is a tool and a jewel, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.”

Below is a slideshow of the pictures taken at the 2025 Sneaker Ball Banquet hosted by The Concrete Rose Foundation.