US Presidential hopefuls Sen. Hilary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama heaped praise on a Bermudian motivational speaker for his work with black youth in the US.

Dennis Rahiim Watson, who is the chairman of the National Youth and Gang Violence Task Force, was honoured by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) recently in New York.

He received the Distinguished Youth Leadership Award from CACCI chairman, Dr. Roy Hastick, for national leadership and exemplary service on behalf of youth and community development in the USA.

And Sen. Clinton praised Mr. Watson “for his tireless efforts to encourage and inspire black youth to be responsible citizens by promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts. While Sen. Obama said: “We know what our young people need, especially our boys. They need education and opportunity, and strong role models who can lead them toward responsible adulthood away from the temptation of gangs and making a quick buck.”

He continued: “You have been such a role model, working tirelessly in high schools, colleges, churches and prisons and many other places where there are people who needed to hear the message that they can do well for themselves and be a blessing to their neighbours at the same time. For over three decades, you have been a strong voice for good in our communities.”

Mr. Watson, who is from Ord Road, Paget, was recently named one of the 50 best black speakers in America by networking guru, George Fraser, in his critically acclaimed book, “Success Runs in Our Race”.

In 2006 Mr. Watson addressed Cedarbridge Academy graduates at Ruth Seaton James Auditorium. He has received over 400 hundred awards including five White House citations and has been well received throughout Africa having spoken at conferences in Senegal, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Gabon, C|0xf4|te d’Ivoire and South Africa.