By Howard Wilkinson
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Freshman Miriam Henderson's fingers clattered across a computer keyboard at the University of Cincinnati's African-American Cultural Center one day last week. The 18-year-old student was trying to construct a spring quarter class schedule.

Over her shoulder, center Assistant Director Stacy Downing watched as Henderson filled in her form, which included two science classes.

"Two's too many," Downing said.

Henderson looked up from her computer. "You sure?"

"I'm way sure," Downing replied. "Two science classes in one quarter is way too much. Don't overload. Give yourself a chance."

UC's Assistant Director of African-American Cultural and Resource Center Stacy Downing. (Mike Simons photo)

It is the kind of encounter Downing has had with young UC students hundreds of times since she went to work for the African-American Cultural Center six years ago. Downing runs "Transitions," a program aimed at reducing the number of black students who leave before earning a degree.

Downing's work with Transitions earned her one of Applause magazine's "Reach for the Stars" awards, which will be presented to her and nine other Cincinnatians Thursday. The awards recognize emerging community leaders, age 30 and younger, who are role models through their commitment to work, volunteerism or church.

The Transitions staff counsels hundreds of UC students on how to make the leap from high school to college. It is a step that is especially difficult for African-Americans who have graduated from financially strapped urban high schools, or all-black schools, that leave them unprepared for a huge, diverse college campus with a demanding curriculum.

"They come here and they find out it is not at all like high school," explained Downing. "They don't know how to adjust to it. They feel intimidated by it. The center is a place they can come to learn how to succeed."

She was nominated for the Applause award by Cultural Center Director Eric Abercrumbie. He has known the 30-year-old Downing since she was an undergraduate student at UC in the early 1990s.

"She's just a good person from a good family - one that values education," Abercrumbie said. "She has also excelled."

Her own internal struggle as an undergraduate at UC prepared her for the job of helping other African-American students, she said.

"I came here thinking that I wanted to study the law, to be a criminal lawyer," Downing said. "But I realized early on that that was probably not for me."

She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at UC, then a master's degree in criminal justice at Xavier University. Today, she is working on a doctorate in education.

It was a chance meeting with Abercrumbie on the UC campus, after Downing had finished her work at Xavier, that led him to offer her a job at the African-American Cultural Center, first as program coordinator and later as assistant director.

The Transitions program, she said, gives African-American students - particularly freshmen - a support network for advice, mentoring, tutoring, community service and social activities.

This week, Downing and her staff are busy putting on one of the center's main yearly events, Kuamka - a week-long celebration that includes study groups, lectures, a talent show and ends with the annual Red, Black, Gold & Green Ball Saturday at UC's Great Hall.

"Kuamka means 'in the beginning' in Swahili," Downing said. "Everything we do this week of Kuamka will be geared toward beginning your life as a college student and following through."

The Applause award, she said, is "a very nice honor. But, "my satisfaction comes from seeing that young man and women walk out of here with a diploma."

Other winners

Stacy Downing is among 10 people - all 30 or younger - who will receive Applause magazine's Reach for the Stars awards at a luncheon Thursday at Cintas Center. They are:

Willie Anderson: The Cincinnati Bengals' offensive tackle is being recognized for his volunteer work in Cincinnati and in his home state of Alabama, including his work with Boys and Girls Clubs, dinners for the homeless and parties he has sponsored for patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Kevin Aldridge: The Cincinnati Enquirer reporter is a Middletown native and a co-founder of the Cincinnati chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He is a mentor for several Miami University journalism students, a volunteer at the Hughes Center's School of Communications and the Urban League, and has worked with at-risk youth on anger management.

Christie Bryant: A Walnut Hills High School and University of Cincinnati graduate, she was appointed to the Cincinnati CAN commission's housing and neighborhood development committee. She has worked with the Mallory Center for Community Development and participated in a study of minority access to HIV/AIDS medication.

Laketa Cole: Elected last fall to her first full term on Cincinnati City Council, the Bond Hill resident is a former Miss Black Cincinnati who serves as a mentor for the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and is vice president of the Urban League Guild.

Maurice Harper: A trustee of Oaktree Montessori Elementary School and Smart Money Community Services, he frequently visits area senior centers and mentors high school students. His nomination says that he "teaches young black men that they have more to offer the world besides sports and entertainment.''

DeQuincy Hentz: Pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Woodlawn, he created a "Crisis Team and Benevolence Fund'' to provide emergency emotional and financial assistance to help people in need.

Anyanna E. Love: An attorney who often represents young people, she serves on Family Forward and Love Family Foundation boards. She was involved in the collaborative agreement with the city of Cincinnati that grew out of federal racial profiling lawsuits.

Kenya Thacker Pierre: A Walnut Hills High School graduate, she is a lawyer who formerly taught in inner-city schools in Los Angeles and is an active mentor to young African-American women in academics, college preparation, etiquette and peer pressure.

Tiana Aleesh Rollinson: She is managing editor of the Cincinnati Herald, Northern Kentucky Herald and Dayton Defender newspapers. Rollinson also hosted Tiana Talks on cable access television and a radio talk show highlighting the accomplishments of youth in the arts.

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E-mail hwilkinson@enquirer.com