UB’s EOC salutes alumni’s paths to success

Kareema Washington was a young single mother, raised in an unstable home, when she arrived at the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center BEOC). A high-school dropout, she was determined to overcome the societal stigmas of people living in poverty. Then she “found her voice” at the BEOC, she says, following a path that would transform her life through education and self-determination.

Dale Martin was a passionate community advocate from the streets of Buffalo, with dreams larger than his means and a spirit that never dwindled. Like Washington, his journey took him to the BEOC, where he discovered a platform to amplify his voice and a path to achieving his dreams. Martin emerged as a dynamic radio personality and influential community leader, transforming his life and becoming a leader in his community.

Like others before them, Washington and Martin are what BEOC officials call “redemption stories,” the newest headliners of the BEOC’s legacy of transforming lives. Both Washington and Martin were recognized at the BEOC’s commencement on May 17.

“Dale and Kareema’s success epitomizes the personal and professional accomplishments BEOC students can achieve when they embrace the center’s middle name — opportunity — and run with it,” says Margot Barrett Keysor, alumni affairs administrator.

Washington, a graduate of the EOC Class of 2007, received the Distinguished Alumni Award, presented to an alumna/alumnus who exemplifies the mission and values of the BEOC. “This award reflects life-long learning, personal and professional development and self-empowerment that affords students the opportunity to realize their dreams and turn efforts into achievements,” according to EOC officials.

“I didn’t want to be poor mentally, physically, emotionally or financially,” says Washington. “I had something to give to my community.”

This aspiration drove Washington to BEOC, where she found hope in a flyer offering tuition-free programs, including the opportunity to obtain her GED. Her enrollment marked the beginning of a journey that not only changed her life, but her perspective on it.

She now serves as the head substance abuse counselor at the Recovery Center of Niagara in Newfane. Her time at BEOC had a profound impact on her, she says, particularly the strong, compassionate, African American female educators who guided and inspired her, forever changing her life.

“The women that poured into my life while I was there changed me forever,” she recalls.

They taught her the importance of presence, support and firmness when necessary — principles that became central to her work in substance abuse counseling. Having seen the impact of substance abuse in her immediate family, Washington understands the importance of helping those similarly affected.

“Everyone is valuable,” says Washington, a value she carries passionately into her work. She supervises mental health and substance abuse support services to community members of all ages, and also provides diversity and cultural training to over 65 medical and clinical staff at the Recovery Center of Niagara, addressing what she calls “biases to support the whole person.”

After BEOC she continued her educational journey, earning an associate’s degree in substance abuse/social science from SUNY Erie, and a BA in sociology from UB. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in divinity at Liberty University.

Inspired by what she describes as “the vision planted in my heart,” Washington in 2011 established a nonprofit, Voices of Vision, now renamed Her Voice Her Vision.

“We assist single mothers with gaining access to community services they may need for themselves and their children,” she says.

“Being committed to doing my part in the community is my reasonable service,” she explains. “My whole life is giving back to my community. I know firsthand what it means to lack and be the underdog, but I also know firsthand what it means to accomplish the goals you have set for yourself.”

Martin received the Arthur O. Eve Education and Community Service Award, which recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership, advocacy, community service and a commitment to education in the spirit of the legacy of Arthur O. Eve, former deputy speaker of the New York State Assembly. In his first year in the Assembly in 1967, Eve developed the appropriations bill that gave birth to the state’s Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) and Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC).

An alumnus of the BEOC Class of 2003, Martin is a radio personality and community influencer who aims “to be a part of both the conversation and solution to build a better Buffalo.” He currently is director of sales at WUFO 1080 AM/ Power 96.5 in Buffalo and WIGO 1570 in Atlanta.

“Buffalo EOC provided me with the stage, platform and microphone to learn and give back to my community,” Martin says. He has showcased Western New York companies and organizations through his company, Martin & Associates, and also as vice president of sales acquisitions at WNY@Work. He has also moderated TV and radio shows on WBBZ-TV and ESPN 1520 AM.

As a media host, Martin has worked with local political, business and non-profit leaders, including Buffalo Mayor Bryon Brown, New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy and Dottie Gallagher, president of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

He plans to relaunch this fall his leadership conference, Partners with a Shared Vision, which had been sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in management from D’Youville University, an MS in executive leadership and change from Daemen University and a certificate in executive management from the Harvard Business School Club of Buffalo.

Martin is a recipient of the Uncrowned King Award from the Uncrowned King Community Builders Organization. He also has served as vice president of the WNY Society of Informational Professionals, a corporate training manager at Bryant & Stratton College’s Professional Skills Center, a mentor for UB’s REALM (Real Experience and Leadership Mentoring) initiative and a member of the advisory board for BEOC.