Since 2004, Alchemy, Inc., a local after-school program, and its founder, G. Kwame Scruggs, have taught hundreds of boys how to navigate the confusion that is adolescence, giving them encouragement to persevere against challenges in their environment. Scruggs has tapped the power of mentoring, mythology and drumming and performance skills as teaching instruments to keep boys in middle and high school focused on achieving goals, setting many on track to college from schools in Akron, Copley Township and Cleveland.
The honor as one of this year’s National Arts and Humanities Youth Program winners, bringing a $10,000 grant and a reception at the White House, is a salute to Alchemy’s ability to inspire young men to rise above adversity.
