FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEARBORN, Mich. – ACCESS Youth and Education director and Dearborn resident, Anisa Sahoubah received the Gene L. Brazell Community Role Model Award during Henry Ford Community College’s (HFCC) 41st Annual Women’s Recognition Luncheon held on March 28.
Sahoubah is the first Arab American woman to receive the award. It is named after the late Gene L. Brazell, who founded Student Outreach and Support Services (formerly known as the Focus on Women program) at HFCC more than 30 years ago. The program assists students to adjust to college, persevere and achieve their academic goals through support services tailored to help students who face financial emergencies while enrolled at HFCC.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this award. This means a lot to me because it represents commitment to improving our community and to helping others attain higher education,” Sahoubah said. “I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to work in this capacity, with so many capable people, and do what I enjoy every day. I commend HFCC for linking this award to a fundraiser for the Student Emergency Fund and wish them continued success on this much-needed service.”
The award is given to a woman who lives or works in the Dearborn area. The program included a panel discussion consisting of three women: Laura Burek, lead systems engineer for Ford Motor Co.; Joan Hennessey, president and CFO of Hennessey Engineers; and Anisa Sahoubah, director of the Youth and Education Department at ACCESS. Jacqueline Lawson, HFCC business instructor, served as mistress of ceremonies.
“Anisa has truly made her mark as both a leader in the community and a leader on matters involving youth and education,” said Hassan Jaber, executive director of ACCESS. "She is extremely gifted and works hard to empower the community.”
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Grounded in the Arab American tradition of hospitality, ACCESS has a 43-year history of providing health, education, employment and social services in greater Detroit to empower people to lead healthy, informed, productive lives. Today, ACCESS extends that mission to a national platform through advocacy, arts, culture and philanthropy. Visit us online at www.accesscommunity.org.