Community Hero Award
Rodney and Erika McLeod
Founders
Change Our Future


Rodney McLeod, a native of Hyattsville, Maryland, is a distinguished NFL player known for his exceptional on-field performance and impactful community service. A standout football player at DeMatha Catholic High School, Rodney earned a scholarship to the University of Virginia, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology. His commitment to success extends beyond the football field, with a focus on making a positive difference off the field.

Together with his wife, Erika McLeod, Rodney established the Change Our Future Foundation in 2020. Committed to improving the lives of local youth, the foundation spearheads various education and enrichment initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles and empower young individuals to become agents of change globally. The McLeods also host an annual free Youth Football Camp at DeMatha, emphasizing football fundamentals and life skill development in Rodney's hometown of Hyattsville, Maryland.

In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Rodney McLeod has actively participated in initiatives such as the Philadelphia Eagles social justice committee, the "End Philly Gun Violence" campaign, and the St. Louis Rams Salvation Army "Tree of Lights" campaign. He is a distinguished recipient of the NFLPA Alan Page Community (APC) Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an NFL player for exemplary community service in their team, city, and hometown.

Erika McLeod, a graduate of the University of Virginia, brings a unique professional background in clinical health and patient advocacy to the McLeod power duo. Despite facing a life-altering brain injury after graduation, Erika's resilience and determination have been inspirational. She is a passionate advocate for change in underserved communities, working towards equality in access to healthcare and education.

Erika's commitment to community empowerment led to the creation of the I "AM" Youth Leadership Summit in Philadelphia, targeting 10th and 11th-grade students. This summit bridges the gap between academics and personal development, empowering today's youth to step confidently into leadership roles. Her charismatic approach, natural leadership qualities, and dedication to health, education, and advocacy inspire individuals across all walks of life.

Together, Rodney and Erika McLeod embody a powerful force for positive change, using their influence to uplift communities and empower the next generation through education, advocacy, and awareness.

Alumni Achievement Award
Sue Daugherty, RDN, LDN ‘95
CEO
MANNA


Sue, a 1995 graduate from Community College of Philadelphia, joined MANNA in 1999 as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). At MANNA, Sue has held several positions prior to being appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2012. Sue garnered national recognition in June 2013 when she co-authored a key study, “Examining Health Care Costs Among MANNA Clients and a Comparison Group” published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Primary Care & Community Health. This research study examined the health care cost savings associated with MANNA’s model and has ongoing impact on nutrition policy nationwide.

Sue has presented MANNA’s work at conferences and meetings across the country. She has also testified in front of the United States Congress.

Sue is an Advisory Board member of the national Food Is Medicine Coalition and served as co-vice-chair from 2019-2022. In 2019 Sue was invited to join the Food Lab Accelerator at Google as a product owner for Food Is Medicine. Other accolades include, the 2015 Jefferson College of Population Health Education Hero Award, Comcast’s Newsmakers selection, the Cancer Treatment Center’s America Caregiver Women of the Week Award, and Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders Award. In May 2022 Sue was the Keynote Speaker for the graduating ceremony for Jefferson College of Health Professionals and she received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Thomas Jefferson University.

Corporate Leadership Award
Dan K. Fitzpatrick
President
Citizens Bank


Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, CFA, is President of Citizens Mid-Atlantic Region and a corporate finance executive with more than 30 years of experience. Dan Fitzpatrick is a native of Northeast Philadelphia and is a former chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on its Executive Committee. Fitzpatrick is also a member of the Board of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development in Pittsburgh and the Senator John Heinz History Center. Fitzpatrick serves as Chairman of Philadelphia Works, Inc., Philadelphia’s workforce development corporation. Fitzpatrick earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from LaSalle University and an MBA from Drexel University. He is a CPA and a Chartered Financial Analyst. Dan and his wife Beth live in Philadelphia and have four adult children.

Legacy Award
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, MGA, FAAN
President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Vice President of Community Affairs, Independence Blue Cross


Lorina Marshall-Blake is the president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation (the Foundation), a charitable, private foundation founded in 2011, and also the vice president of community affairs at Independence Blue Cross (Independence).

In her role with the Foundation, she leads strategic, programmatic, and operational efforts to fulfill the Foundation’s mission to lead sustainable solutions that improve the health and wellness of the community. Under her leadership, the Foundation has established itself as a collaborator, innovator, and thought leader in addressing emerging health needs in southeastern Pennsylvania.

As the vice president of community affairs, Marshall-Blake develops and manages relationships with community partners to advance Independence’s social mission efforts.

Marshall-Blake is passionate about giving back to the community. She is involved with more than 30 professional and civic organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the United Negro College Fund, and is the former president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Omega Chapter. She is also an associate minister at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Currently, she also serves on more than 25 non-profit boards and committees including the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association — Corporate Responsibility Committee, The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia’s Paradigm Award & Scholarship Committee, the Urban Affairs Coalition, and the Urban League of Philadelphia. Marshall-Blake also serves on Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Executive Advisory Council and Rutgers School of Nursing — Camden Dean’s Leadership Circle. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice.

Community College of Philadelphia Foundation is proud to honor those individuals who uphold the ideals of the College and further our mission of empowering education for all. 

 

Fatima Abbas

Fatima Abbas '05

Alumni Achievement Award

Bio

Fatima Abbas currently serves as the Director of the new Office of Tribal and Native Affairs within the United States Department of Treasury where she advises on Tribal tax and economic development issues. During her service at Treasury, she has led the implementation of over $30 billion in economic recovery funds for over 574 Tribes, many of which have poverty rates that are over 70% of their population.
 
Prior to Treasury, Fatima served as the Vice President of Government Relations at the National Congress of American Indians where she worked on legislation involve economic development and infrastructure for Tribes extending from Alaska to New York.  Prior to NCAI, Fatima served Tribal governments in-house as the Karuk Tribe’s first General Counsel and the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ Deputy Attorney General and worked as a commercial litigator at the Fox Rothschild law firm in Philadelphia.
 
Fatima is a graduate of Berkeley Law School, Temple University, and the Community College of Philadelphia. Fatima grew up in the Feltonville Olney section of Philadelphia and is an enrolled citizen of the Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe.
 

Susan Sherman Headshot

Susan Sherman

Community Hero Award

Bio

After graduating with her Master’s Degree in Nursing from New York University, Susan first taught nursing at NYU, later at Bronx Community College. She then worked for the National League for Nursing, Council of Associate Degree Programs. In 1980, she moved from New York to Pennsylvania, becoming both Chairperson of the Department for Nursing for the Community College of Philadelphia and the mother of two beautiful daughters. In 1993 she joined the Independence Foundation as a board member, and in 1996 was named President & CEO.

Susan Sherman served as President & CEO of the Independence Foundation from 1996—2024. The Independence Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting programs in Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania counties. It was under her tenure that the Foundation began its mission of supporting nonprofit organizations that provide services to people who ordinarily do not have access to them in the areas of nurse-managed health care, public interest legal services, arts and culture, and access to housing and food.

Susan was a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, National League for Nursing, and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. She served on Advisory Committees for the American Academy of Nursing, MANNA, Inc., the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and Students Run Philly Style. She has previously served as Chair of the Philadelphia Award Committee, Chair of the Council of Associate Degree Nursing Programs for the National League for Nursing, and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee. Susan has been a board member of Project HOME, the Philadelphia Zoological Society, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation and the Academy of Vocal Arts, and a National Advisory Committee member for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Colleagues in Caring Project, and their local funding initiative. She currently serves as a board member of the Eisenhower Fellowships.

 Susan has received the Caring Award from the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia, Public Health Management Corporation’s Carl Moore Leadership Award, Community College of Philadelphia’s Keystone Foundation Award and 40 Leaders Award, MANNA’s Outstanding Community Leadership Award, the Women’s Way of Philadelphia: Moving Women Forward Award, the Pennsylvania Legal Services Excellence Award, the New York University: School of Nursing Alumni Award, the University of Rhode Island Nursing Alumni Award, the American Academy of Nursing Civitas Award, and the Ross Laboratories Institutional Long Term Care Award.

Joe Tucker Headshot

Joe H. Tucker, Jr.

Corporate Leadership Award

Bio

Joe H. Tucker, Jr. is a lifelong Philadelphian raised in North Philadelphia whose career and life reflect an enduring commitment to excellence, leadership, and community impact. He is the Founder and CEO of Tucker Law Group and a nationally recognized trial lawyer with numerous jury trials and an impressive record of appellate success in state and federal courts. Joe represents international corporations, Fortune 100 companies, and major universities in high-stakes matters while advocating for individual plaintiffs in severe personal injury cases.

As the President-elect of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Joe is part of an elite group of attorneys dedicated to the highest trial advocacy and ethics standards. He has held numerous leadership positions within the Philadelphia Bar Association. He is a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer recognized for his complex civil litigation expertise and unwavering commitment to justice.

Beyond the courtroom, Joe’s roots in North Philadelphia inspire his dedication to service. He serves on the board of the Committee of Seventy, a leading nonpartisan organization focused on government accountability and civic engagement. His community service includes leadership roles with nonprofit organizations like the Support Center for Child Advocates and contributions as a supporter and host parent for A Better Chance. Joe frequently donates to local nonprofits supporting education initiatives through his Justice Education Fund charity. He has also established scholarships at Temple Law School to help economically disadvantaged students pursuing legal careers.

A passionate advocate for education and mentorship, Joe has taught Trial Advocacy at local law schools and lectured nationally on legal topics. He has served as the president of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition as a proud alumnus of Howard University and Temple Law School. Before practicing law, Joe began his career as a certified public accountant in New York.

Joe Tucker’s leadership in his profession and community reflects a deep commitment to making Philadelphia—and the world—a better place for future generations.

View Past Honorees Here

Community College of Philadelphia Foundation
1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 751-8042
foundation@ccp.edu
EIN 23-2612698

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