Lyria Howland was honored with the Nakia Douglas Award at the 2nd Annual BOMLA Parent Teacher Student Association Gala (PTSA). This recognition is named after Obama Academy’s Founding Principal and honors individuals who are catalysts for change and examples of what it means to be a leader.

“She embodies what it means to make a charge for change and leads in a way that makes people want to follow” said PTSA President Rose Perez. “We thank Lyria for being a great leader and for being a Gladiator for our future by supporting the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy.” 

Full remarks from the evening are listed below:

“Lyria Howland is the Founding Chair of Friends of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy and continues to be a driving force behind Friends of BOMLA’s successes.   Since its inception, FRIENDS has raised more than a half a million dollars with all of the funds benefiting expanded educational opportunities for our young men inside and outside of school and the continued professional development of our faculty.

As Founding Chair of FRIENDS, Lyria

• established a working board of professionals representing cross sections of the city;
• led the group through attainment of its 501c3, nonprofit status;
• initiated strategies that brought potential funders and influencers to campus for “first hand” experiences;
• established an interface between FRIENDS and DISD leadership; and
• guided successful efforts to secure underwriting for FRIENDS first full time fundraising staff member.

Currently, Lyria is a very active member of the board’s Development Committee, is helping lead efforts to fill a College Bound Advisor  position at the Academy, continues to secure resources and make professional connections behalf of The Academy across the city, and serves as all around cheerleader for our young men and their futures.”

Photo Credit: PTSA