Emmy-Nominated Pianist Kofi Boakye Wins 2019 Russ Pry Youth Award; Donates $500 to Guys & Gals Community Partnerships Inc.

Photography courtesy of Ramahn Wilder/The Wilder Lens Photography

(As written from Cleveland.com) AKRON, Ohio – Kofi R. Boakye was presented last weekend with the 2019 Summit for Kids Russ Pry Youth Award, which recognizes an individual under 21 who has created or collaborated with a program to improve the lives of youth and make a positive impact in their community.

Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Teodosio presented the 19-year-old Akron resident with the award at the 10th annual Summit for Kids Expo, a two-day program that aims to improve kids’ health, education and quality of life.

“At such a young age, Kofi has already accomplished much and has contributed even more to his community,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro in a release. “He is a role model that other young people in Summit County can look to for inspiration.”

The award is named after the late Summit County Executive Russell Pry.

Boakye had worked with Pry to create the “Humble & Have No Fear” project, an advocacy campaign that included a commercial that aimed to discourage gun violence in Northeast Ohio.

Recently, Boayke co-produced a mini documentary with Akron-based Pritt Entertainment Group that chronicles his journey through music. The film, “Kofi: Made in Akron,” received an Emmy nomination.

“I was a personal friend of Russ Pry, and the work that he did in the community was always profound for me,” Boakye said. "One thing about Russ was that he never let his title dictate decision making, and he always led by his heart. But he was a cerebral guy as well. Any time that you can join among those types of names in your community it means you are doing something pretty special, and I hope to continue that going forward.”

A Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts graduate, Boakye was the youngest student to be accepted into the University of Akron School of Music’s Jazz Studies Program at age 15. There, he earned an associate of arts degree and continued studying integrated marketing communications until this past spring. Boakye was recently accepted at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he will begin classes this fall.

“I’ve always said that music is a platform that can reach into so many other facets of the world," he said. "If I can effectively do music at a high level, then I think it can impact my ability to do so many other things like acting, being in TV, being in movies, directing, investing and philanthropy—continuing on to establish things I’ve already built up here in Akron.”

As part of the award, Boakye received $500 to be donated to a local charity of his choice. He selected Guys and Gals Community Partnership. One of the organization’s main initiatives is Hoop for Coop, a men’s health clinic that aims to educate participants about the prevalence of cardiovascular disease among African Americans. The event is named for Boakye’s cousin, Kimyata Cooper, who died following a heart attack he sustained while playing basketball.

Kofi Boakye with Family and Executive Director Jerome Moss of Guys & Gals Community Partnerships

As part of the award, Boakye received $500 to be donated to a local charity of his choice. He selected Guys and Gals Community Partnership. One of the organization’s main initiatives is Hoop for Coop, a men’s health clinic that aims to educate participants about the prevalence of cardiovascular disease among African Americans. The event is named for Boakye’s cousin, Kimyata Cooper, who died following a heart attack he sustained while playing basketball.