'Blends Energy, Vision And Action': Patch Milford Community Leader

MILFORD, CT — Without community leaders, Milford wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Therese Eke, a Milford reader who nominated Ike Opayemi.

How do you know this community leader?

We are both members of a community alliance that works to ensure everyone has a safe place to live, enough to eat and a voice in their community.

What does this community leader do?

Where do I begin? A 16-year-old senior at Jonathan Law High School, Ike co-founded the Black Student Union, is on the Student Council, is a National Honor Society Student and sings in the choir. She also belongs to the National Board for School Curriculum, and is its Storytelling Chair. Ike also started her own business, Community Cookies - she bakes and sells cookie bars, and donates part of the proceeds to community organizations.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

One rarely meets a person like Ike, who has so compellingly blends energy, compassion, vision and action. At only 16-years-old, Ike has already done more to further openness, dialogue and justice than most of us do in a lifetime.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Ike's an inspiration, to me (a 61-year-old retired social worker) and so many others in our community and nation.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.