ALBANY — Juanita Nabors was named the ninth recipient of the annual Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service by Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan on Saturday at the 23rd annual Albany Riverfront Jazzfest, held at Corning Preserve Boat Launch.
Nabors has spent decades as an advocate for Albany youth and a champion for the Rapp Road Historic District. In addition to a distinguished career in state government, she has dedicated her time to:
- Mentoring through the Big Sisters Program
- Organizing a student mentorship program with the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus
- Serving on boards including the Capital Area Urban League, Albany Human Service Advisory Board, Henry Johnson Charter School and Albany County Land Bank Corporation
- Advocating for the preservation of Rapp Road’s legacy of Black homeownership and migration history
The honor is bestowed on an Albany citizen whose service reflects the spirit of Sgt. Henry Johnson, Albany’s World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Johnson was awarded France’s Croix de Guerre for his bravery in single-handedly fighting off a German raiding party in May 1918, despite being seriously wounded. He sustained 21 combat-related injuries throughout his service. It took decades and a sustained campaign by Johnson’s advocates for the U.S. to recognize his extraordinary bravery with the Medal of Honor in 2015…