Oscar Harris, Faia Honored With 2014 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

ATLANTA - May 13, 2014 - PRLog -- ATLANTA (5.13.14) – The Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America has selected Oscar Harris, FAIA as the recipient of the 2014 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award. This award recognizes exceptional volunteer service in providing Scouting for disadvantaged youth in challenging urban and rural areas.

From his days as a young boy from a unique, supportive, community in Pittsburgh through his struggles to become one of the nation’s leading architects, Oscar Harris has seen it all and overcome seemingly impossible odds. Throughout his career, Oscar has struggled to bring diversity and equality to one of America’s most exclusive industries. Certified as an Eagle Scout, Oscar has carried the excellent leadership qualities instilled in him through Boy Scouts of America into both his career and ongoing youth mentorship.  Through his “give back and pay it forward” philosophy, Harris founded the Atlanta Center for Creative Inquiry, a nonprofit organization whose mission is tomentor, educate, and develop creative abilities in youth to promote greater diversity in the architecture, engineering and construction professions.This year the Atlanta Center for Creative Inquiry celebrates ten years of servicing youth in the Atlanta area.

Sixteen local volunteers will be honored at the 2014 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award Banquet on Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 PM at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

This award is names in honor of civil rights leader Whitney M. Young, Jr. who was head of the urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971. Given to volunteers and organizations that develop and implement Scouting opportunities for youth in low-income urban and rural areas, this award recognizes the fulfillment of Dr. Young’s dream of justice and equality for all.