‘“Dion couldn’t be here, but he wanted me to say these words,” Mestre said, reading aloud from Dawkins’ statement. “I would like to thank Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo for honoring me with this Community Impact Award. While I don’t do it for recognition, it means so much to know that what I do is acknowledged by others. Every single person I’ve met over the years has played a role in where I have gotten today. I am grateful for every single one of you.”’