Black Voices of the Valley hosted its 4th annual Night of Black Excellence with a gala at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center in San Jacinto on Feb. 22. Guests included representatives from Hemet and San Jacinto city council offices as well as local dignitaries. But the stars of the night were the recipients of this year’s awards.
BVOV Director Stephanie Bruce welcomed the sold-out crowd to the event which also serves as a Black History Month celebration and fundraiser. High school seniors were recognized for their hard work and academic excellence. Those receiving scholarships were Daijha Williams, Kailei Burnet, Zoe Dagen, Kaycia Carrida, and Essence Herd.
San Jacinto Leadership Academy senior Kaylin McWhorter was honored with the Youth Leadership Award. Bruce said this award honors an exceptional young individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership, initiative, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their community. “It celebrates the next generation of leaders who inspire change and exemplify the values of service, innovation, and resilience,” she said.
Kaylin accepted the award with a powerful speech that began, “Tonight feels like a dream. Not long ago, I wasn’t sure this moment would come. The world doesn’t always make space for girls like me — girls with deep brown skin and big dreams. Girls who fight not just to succeed, but to be seen.”
The 18-year-old has attended SJLA since she was in sixth grade and said it is a place where she not only grew academically but found her voice as an advocate.
Kaylin is in the top 10 percent of her graduating class with a 4.4 GPA and has already been accepted into her two dream schools: Howard University and UC, Berkeley. She plans to major in political science with an emphasis on African American studies.
“My heart is set on becoming a civil rights attorney, using my voice to champion justice and ensure that every story, especially those often silenced, is heard,” she said. “Creating my school’s first Black Student Union taught me that advocacy is born from love — love for community, culture, and progress. I learned that even the smallest ripple of change can grow into a wave when fueled by passion and purpose.”
She said she is driven by the weight of possibility — the understanding that her education isn’t just for her but for those who came before her and those who will come after.
“Knowledge is a legacy, and I want to use mine to break barriers and build bridges,” Kaylin said. “I’ve learned that staying true to myself is one of the most powerful things I can do. There were times I felt out of place like I had to shrink parts of who I am to fit in. But the moment I started embracing my voice, my culture, and my story, I found strength I didn’t know I had. I realized that my uniqueness is my superpower — that being authentically myself not only empowers me but inspires others to do the same. It taught me that real change starts when we show up as our whole, unapologetic selves, ready to take up space and make an impact.”
And with aspirations to become a U.S. Senator one day, Kaylin said, “And as long as I have breath, I will never stop fighting until every Black girl knows this truth: We are the legacy. We are the future. And we are just getting started.”
San Jacinto Leadership Academy Principal Michael Luna said, “Kaylin McWhorter is one of SJLA’s most prominent leaders. She founded and is currently President of SJLA’s Black Student Union. She has partnered with other cadets to support nonprofit actions in the San Jacinto community. As a teacher, assistant principal, and now principal of Kaylin McWhorter, I can say that she is one of the most well-rounded cadets to come through the San Jacinto Leadership Academy. She will be leaving a lasting legacy for many cadets to emulate.”
This year’s Phoenix Award was presented to Makhi McClure. Bruce said, “It recognizes those who embody the spirit of renewal and perseverance, turning challenges into opportunities to uplift and inspire others.”
Two recipients of the “It Takes a Village” award were Matthew Maita and Walter Johnson for their various contributions, not only to the community but also to themselves and their families. “It takes a village to raise our children, and these are great people in the community that help with that effort by providing a service for the community free of charge or collaborating with community events for our youth,” Bruce said.
The “People’s Choice” award is given to someone who is nominated by and voted for by residents of the San Jacinto Valley, showcasing the community’s recognition and support for excellence. This year, Flawless Catering was chosen as Black Business of the Year, and Raymond Mills was also honored.
A highlight of the annual event is the celebration of those in the San Jacinto Valley who are recognized for being the first Black person to hold a significant position in the community. This year’s “Breaking Barriers” recipients are Patricia Scott, who is the new Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Chair; Kevin Saunders, who is now the Hemet/San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Lloyd Sheppard, who was the first Black principal at the San Jacinto Leadership Academy and is now San Jacinto High School’s principal; and Tylisha Julienne, who was recently elected as treasurer for the City of San Jacinto.
For more information, www.blackvoicesofthevalley.org.
