Nas Smith Honored with "Big Brother" Award by United Way of Cayuga County

Senior Nasir Smith was recognized with the "Big Brother" award by the United Way of Cayuga County at the inaugural Harriet Tubman/Juneteenth Celebration Awards. Smith was honored because of his work with youth in Cayuga County through camps and his Team Get Right (TGR) organization.

Smith, along with two of his friends, started TGR to teach and develop youth thru athletics and mentoring. The organization also includes a clothing brand. Smith has remained active in his community through visits to elementary schools to meet with and read to the students. He has also held several youth camps in the community and has plans to continue doing so into the future.

"It was an honor to be a part of a great event and receive the "Big Brother" Award at the Juneteenth award ceremony," Smith said in a post on his Twitter account. "God put me on this earth to inspire and help others and that's my purpose. I want to have a positive impact on as many people's lives as I can."

The awards ceremony was held in Auburn, NY, on Juneteenth. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and social activist who escaped from slavery and subsequently rescued many others from slavery as a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. Later in life, she became active in the movent for women's suffrage and her last residence was in Auburn, where she is buried. Auburn holds one of the biggest Juneteenth celebrations, which is marked by festivities including a parade, speakers, a youth celebration, and singers.

Tubman's exact birthdate was unknown, but she died in 1913 and was believed to be 91, which would put her birth year at 1822. That date would make this year's celebration of Juneteenth marking her bicentennial birth year.

Smith graduated from CCSU in the spring and with a degree in Management and he will continue his career while attending graduate school. He joined the Blue Devils after earning Division III All-America honors at Alfred University in 2018. Smith led Central in rushing in 2021 with 607 yards on 125 carries. He scored two touchdowns and added 19 receptions for 89 yards.