Amway Honors ‘Heroes’ for Significant Contributions to Community and Country
Since retiring from the military, Rochelle has continued to play a pivotal role as a community builder — at home in Monument, Colorado and beyond.
Leading U.S. health and wellbeing company Amway recently honored the recipients of its 2023 Heroes Awards. Amway paid tribute to the honorees – Rochelle Kimbrell, Bruce Kanegai and Gibril Mansaray – for embodying the word “Hero” -- using their voices, skills and compassion to give back to the communities in which they live and work.
Empowering changemakers and supporting their efforts to make the world a better place is fundamental to Amway’s DNA and decades-long legacy. Each year, Amway provides the Heroes Awards winners $5,000 each to help them with their community-building efforts, and an additional $5,000 each to be donated to an organization of their choice.
2023 Heroes Award Winners:
Former Lieutenant Colonel Rochelle Kimbrell, the first Black female fighter pilot in the U.S. military, is a true testament to the motivation and resilience needed to be a “Hero”. Rochelle’s career in the U.S. Air Force, and beyond, has paved the way for women in combat and made the military a more inclusive place. Since retiring from the military, Rochelle has continued to play a pivotal role as a community builder — at home in Monument, Colorado and beyond. She has devoted her life to shaping the next generation of aviation enthusiasts – by mentoring Air Force academy cadets and working with 13- to 18-year-old children as an orientation pilot in the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Today, she serves as an emergency services mission pilot, a motivational speaker through her “Dare to Dream” platform, and an independent business owner at Amway. Rochelle’s commitment to showing young people that they can do anything they set their mind to — whether it be when they are flying in the sky or starting their own business— shows that her heroism is worth recognizing and celebrating.
Bruce Kanegai’s commitment to his community in Simi Valley, California, shines through his successful thirty-four year-long teaching career. His belief that every student is worth investing in has made a tangible impact on generations of students. A treasured public-school arts teacher, Bruce has made his mark in the Moorpark and Simi Valley school districts. Throughout his career, he was named Teacher of the Year multiple times by eight different schools and organizations. At the age of 75, Bruce also operates the oldest martial arts school in Simi Valley and has taught over 10,000 students around the world. Bruce is also an instructor of law enforcement officers in California, and he actively supports charities such as Network of Caring, Children’s Hunger Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and Give Kids the World. The samurai tradition, which translates to, “serve,” is part of Bruce’s family heritage and it has clearly influenced every project he has tackled. He brings this same passion and drive through his role as an Amway Independent Business Owner. Bruce has enriched the lives of many as a teacher and mentor, setting an incredible example for his students and fellow community members to follow.
Gibril Mansaray’s leadership transcends geographical borders – from his home in Omaha, Nebraska to his father’s hometown village of Magbaikoli, Sierra Leone. In Omaha, Gibril has built a career in helping kids and adults find a place to belong – from mentoring young Black men to become future leaders to assisting low-income individuals gain affordable housing. When Magbaikoli flooded in 2019, Gibril was a significant part of the rebuilding efforts. He used his network and resources to re-open the P.K. Memorial Primary School, which had been destroyed in the flood. He has continued this work by creating the Pa Karim Memorial Foundation to help expand education access in Sierra Leone. Gibril exemplifies how the actions of one person can change the lives of many. He continues to inspire others through his devotion to his charitable work and as a business owner with Amway.
“Amway is passionate about giving back to the communities in which we live and work, and Rochelle, Bruce and Gibril embody the heart and soul of Amway because they are a positive force for good in their communities and beyond,” said Andrew Schmidt, Managing Director of North America. “We are incredibly proud to honor and support the contributions they have made in their professional and personal lives and continue to spread acts of good around the world.”
Through more than 4.5 million volunteer hours over 20 years, Amway has supported 14.5 million+ people, including: $35 million raised for EasterSeals to empower people with disabilities, $200 million in COVID-19 aid and responses to disasters and malnutrition, and providing virtual mentors and funds for the operations of the US Dream Academy. This past year, 600 U.S. employees also supported more than 41 community projects with their time and talents.
More About Amway
Amway is an entrepreneur-led health and wellbeing company based in Ada, Michigan. Nearly 300,000 Americans have become a part of the Amway model as independent business owners, and the company employs more than 3,300 people in the U.S. Amway supports individuals’ wellbeing journeys, developing products backed by science and pairing them with programs that are designed to help people live better, healthier lives. The company makes some of the most popular health and wellbeing products on the market – including Nutrilite, XS Sports Nutrition, Artistry Skincare and more – and has long fostered a community approach to wellbeing, bringing together the best of science and nature.
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