LANSING, MI -- Youth writer for the Michigan Bulletin, Clifford Bailey was honored by the Capital Area Michigan Works! as an outstanding alumni of the year.

Every year the workforce development agency for Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties, honors its outstanding alumni at an annual dinner and awards celebration. This year Clifford was one of the outstanding individuals recognized.

Clifford was one of the “just good” students who was often overlooked because of his laid back persona. Clifford was enrolled into the Workforce Investment Act Youth Program in October of 2003. That was Cliff’s senior year at J.W. Sexton High School, and he was also enrolled in the Telecommunications Program at Hill Center for advanced technology, with aspirations of becoming a music producer.

To meet his work experience component for the WIA program, Clifford began working at BCFI in the Young Publishers Club. Once his work experience requirement was met, Cliff landed a permanent position with the Black Child and Family Institute. Clifford Bailey is now a freshman at Lansing Community College pursuing his dream of becoming a music producer. He is working at BCFI and is also writing for the Michigan Bulletin.

Clifford was esteemed in front of an audience of 200 including other outstanding alumni and families, legislators, employers, and community leaders and featured guest speaker United States Congressman Mike Rogers. Even in the difficult economic times Michigan has faced, with the loss of 11,700 capital area jobs in the last year, many of the capital area’s employers and job seekers have overcome challenges and hardships to succeed.

Ryan Menefee is a Junior at East Lansing High School and a participant in the Young Publishers Club sponsored by the Michigan Bulletin which meets at the Magic Johnson Foundation Creation Station located at the Black Child and Family Institute - 835 W. Genesee, Lansing MI.