Borough Wide
Three cheers to Malhaar Agrawal, a teen with a vision and a plan. This super community activist has started an organization, Healt
Much of his work focuses on Brooklyn, where prostate cancer is 75 percent higher in African-Americans than in whites as well as other diseases.
He has spoken about disparities everywhere from the American Cancer Society to Medgar Evers College and beyond.
This enterprising youth has published three research papers on topics ranging from disparities in the incidence and mortality rates of cancers in Brooklyn to DNA repair mechanisms in African-American colon cancer cells. One of his research abstracts was just accepted for presentation at the scientific assembly of the National Medical Association, the largest and oldest organization representing African-American physicians and their patients.
And he’s only in high school.
While interning last year he said, “I learned that racial and ethnic minority groups, both in New York City and nationally, experience poorer health and shorter life expectancies compared to white counterparts.” He added, “Speaking to young people in communities of color like my own, I hope to encourage them to choose healthy lifestyle options.”
“One of the greatest challenges facing young people at community centers is the need for healthy and diverse food options,” he said. “I am proud that my workshop and collaboration with center administrators resulted in delicious and wholesome food options being provided for young people.”
He also launched the Ambassador Program at Healt
To learn more, visit Healt
Borough wide
Talented teen
Put your hands together for Sheryl Chen. This 17-year-old is one of the National Liberty Museum’s 12 TD Bank Young Heroes Award winners from among a record-breaking 74 nominations. She received this honor in recognition of founding Girls Advocating Leadership & Strength to empower young women to pursue executive corporate positions.
She began her community-based organization group for female activism at age 14, creating Girls Advocating Leadership & Strength to empower young, ambitious girls to dream bigger and pursue executive leadership roles. She successfully launched her federally-recognized 501(c)(3) and New York State-incorporated non-profit, and executed major New York City leadership summits with sponsorships from the Federal Reserve Bank of NY, to Walt Disney Youth Service of America, raising more than $30,000 in grants. After three years, participants have spearheaded e-commerce businesses, equality petitions, and clubs.
The TD Bank Young Heroes Award recognizes inspiring youths who make a positive change in their local school or community. Sheryl will join with the other 12 recipients at an awards ceremony at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia on Aug. 10 where she will receive a certificate of recognition, medallion and gifts as well as a plaque featuring her story, to be displayed for a year in the Young Heroes Exhibition.
Girls Advocating Leadership & Strength, www.galsn
