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As the famous quote goes, success is a journey, not a destination, and for Northside businessman Alan Perry, his work in the community never ends.
But for his outstanding accomplishments thus far, Perry, founder and owner of Perry Insurance Group and Perry’s Catering, was honored Sept. 30 at the Pittsburgh Courier’s 2010 Men of Excellence dinner.
The Manchester resident was among 50 awardees chosen for their accomplishments among black leaders in the region.
In addition to cultivating his own career, Perry currently sits on the board of directors and the Microenterprise Fund committee for the Northside Community Development Fund, a community nonprofit that provides loans and financing for business and real estate development projects throughout the Northside. The Northside Chronicle is owned by NSCDF.
Perry likened his experiences on these boards to working with his own family.
“When you’re on different boards, you want to make the right choices that are going to affect the community in a positive way,” he said.
Such successful business ventures may have been enough for an average citizen, but Perry puts even more time into his neighborhood and community.
Perry is the worshipful master of star of the West Lodge #62 of Prince Hall Masons, and serves as a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for troops based out of Bidwell United Presbyterian Church. Perry has been awarded three of the highest awards given to a volunteer from the Boy Scouts of America: the District Award of Merit in 2006, the Silver Beaver Award in 2007 and the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award in 2008 for his service to urban youth.
“My proudest accomplishment is working with young people and making them into productive citizens and [seeing them] contributing to society in a positive way. Seeing them be positive citizens is my greatest reward,” Perry said.
He believes that in order for our young men to grow mentally, physically and spiritually, we must have strong men step up to guide them.
“When you’re talking about disparity, there’s so much to be done to continue making the community a better place for us to live in. We have a long, long way to go, economically and socially,” he said.
“When you achieve something, you still have a lot more to do. You never finish.”
Perry is married to Anita Perry and is the father of five children, Christopher, Grace, Milea, Dora and Quentin, as well as six grandchildren.
In addition to Perry, City Councilman Daniel Lavelle, who represents District 6, also was one of the 50 awardees.
