Employee, graduate receive Winston <40 Leadership Award

Winston-Salem State University assistant legal counsel Venus Boston and Juan Santos ’14, a rehabilitation counseling practitioner and business entrepreneur, were recently honored with the Winston<40 Leadership Award.

Boston was recognized not only for her timely legal advice, but also for her love of students. She spends much of her free time mentoring others and caring for the wellbeing of those around her. She also has been recognized by her alma mater as a Forty Under Forty honoree of North Carolina Central University. Honorees have made significant contributions in the arts, law, entertainment, healthcare, sciences, education, business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public service and government.

Since graduating from WSSU with his Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2014, Santos has created a private practice where he works with children, parents and couples. Santos Counseling is a community partner with Faith Action International House that provides mental health services to undocumented individuals and families at a lower fee.

As a first-year master’s student, Santos was awarded the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Association’s Student Scholarship. The scholarship was for an undergraduate or graduate student representing culturally diverse populations and who is pursuing a degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related area. Santos was selected based on his essay on the barriers affecting persons with disabilities and how a rehabilitation professional can help overcome those situations.

The honorees were recognized at the Third Annual Winston<40 Leadership Awards & Reception in the Ballroom of the Forsyth Country Club on Oct. 6.

Winston<40, part of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, helps create and cultivate the next generation of community and business leaders in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.