Youth Achievers - 2026 Black Achievers Awards

A graduate of College Academy at Broward College, Samuel Touze is the 2026 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. Inspired by his creativity, love of building and interest in designing structures that stand the test of time, Touze plans to study civil engineering and pursue a career creating spaces that serve communities for generations. While completing high school and college coursework simultaneously, he was named to the Honor Roll and Dean's List, earned the College Board African American Recognition Award and received certifications in SolidWorks, Fusion 360 and AutoCAD. He has also mentored younger students by sharing study strategies and volunteered to help clean and maintain a local elementary school, demonstrating a commitment to service and leadership. Proud of overcoming challenges while beginning college at an early age, Touze will graduate with both his associate degree and high school diploma before continuing his studies toward a bachelor's degree at Florida State University.

Graduating with a 4.3 GPA from Sheridan Technical High School in Hollywood, Florida, Richanna Lyons is the 2025 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. Lyons served as president of both the Black Student Union and Drama Club, earning more than 15 awards through the International Thespian Society, including State Top Honors. She has contributed over 300 hours of volunteer service to organizations such as the Brady Hunter Foundation, Feeding South Florida and the YMCA, where she worked closely with children with special needs. Motivated to help others overcome financial barriers, she plans to study finance at Florida State University and pursue a career as a financial advisor, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose mission helps individuals and families build lives of stability and purpose.

Salutatorian of her graduating class from South Tech Academy in Boynton Beach, Naftalienne Jerome has been named the 2024 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. During her high school career, Jerome obtained eight medical certifications through South Tech’s Medical Sciences program while earning an impressive 3.9 GPA. She was a proud member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa’s Xinos, and volunteered at elementary schools assisting students with disabilities and performing checkups for older adults at local churches. As the first generation in her family to attend college, Jerome is driven by her mission to address healthcare treatment disparities amongst minority groups. She is in her first year studying at Florida State University in Tallahassee, pursuing degrees in biological sciences and public health, with a focus on pre-medicine and aspirations to become an OBGYN.

Miami native and recent graduate of Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School in Miami, Brianna Pinales has been named the 2023 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. Pinales’ commitment to her studies was exemplified this school year when she completed an Associate of Arts degree with a specialization in Forensic Science in addition to completing schooling. Motivated by her insatiable curiosity, determination to expand her knowledge and make a positive impact on the lives of others, Pinales is currently majoring in biological sciences at Florida State University with dreams of pursuing a career in the field of medicine.