Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Harrisburg City Council presents “Unsung Hero” awards to local activists, volunteers

“Unsung Hero” awardees (from left) Cynthia Watkins, Eugene Spells and Rafiyqa Muhammad (Angel Fox was not present)

Several Harrisburg activists and volunteers were honored by Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday night.

At a legislative session, council members named its four recipients of the 2022 “Unsung Hero” award, which recognizes city residents who have volunteered their time to make the community better.

“Each of these people truly embody what it means to be an ‘Unsung Hero,’” said council President Danielle Bowers in a statement. “Our city wouldn’t be able to function without the work they do, most, if not all of the time, behind the scenes. We want to make sure that everyone sees how much we appreciate them.”

Angel Fox, Rafiyqa Muhammad, Eugene Spells, and Cynthia Watkins received the awards.

The “Unsung Hero” award was last presented in 2019 and returns this year after a pandemic hiatus.

Fox, nominated by council member Jocelyn Rawls, is the district director for State Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and owns Fox’s Wash & Go laundromat on Market Street. Fox also founded the nonprofit, Tears for Tarina, to help bring awareness and provide assistance to victims of domestic violence.

Muhammad, nominated by council member Shamaine Daniels, established Ngozi, Inc., a nonprofit that provides training and cultural, nutritional and economic education to the African American community. She also provides programming at the Camp Curtin YMCA community garden and serves on state and city environmental advisory boards.

“I’m excited,” Muhammad said. “It’s an honor to be recognized.”

Spells, nominated by Bowers, is the principal at Camp Curtin Academy. He has worked in the Harrisburg School District for 25 years and has been the principal at four other district schools. He has also coached little league football in the city and served as Basileus of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Kappa Omega Chapter.

“I think you do so much, and you want to see youth in the community be successful, but you don’t always stop and think about all the hours you have put in,” Spells said. “Just to be recognized for your work in the community is really heartwarming.”

Watkins, nominated by council member Westburn Majors, worked as a long-time employee for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. Most recently, she served as an administrative assistant for PA Legal Services, ARC of PA and Harrisburg Uptown Neighbors Together (HUNT), among other positions.

“I just do what I do and don’t think about it,” Watkins said. “This feels wonderful.”

 

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