NORTHBROOK, Ill. – North Carolina Central University defensive back Stephen Stokes is one of only 22 college football players in the nation to earn distinguished recognition as a member of the 2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, announced by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association on Wednesday (Sept. 23).
 
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has been one of the most esteemed honors in college football for the past 29 years, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of college football student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
 
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Stokes was voted to the 2020 Preseason All-MEAC Team after finishing last year with 62 tackles, including 7.0 hits for a loss and a pair of fumble recoveries, while placing third on the team and 10th in the conference with eight passes defended.
 
Among his many community service efforts, Stokes has volunteered with the Project BUILD Gang Intervention Program in Durham, North Carolina, working one-on-one with local youth who are at high risk of gang involvement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped in his hometown by creating at-home workout videos for the Police Athletic League Center website and speaking to students at his alma mater, Parkville High School, about the importance of higher education. Stokes is also active with the Big Brother Program at R.N. Harris Elementary School in Durham.
 
Stokes graduated from NCCU in May, achieving a 3.15 cumulative grade point average as a criminal justice major with a concentration in homeland security. He is currently pursuing a second undergraduate degree in psychology.
 
"This year has brought new meaning and purpose to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, and this group of 22 players has risen to these challenges to give back to their communities in tremendous ways," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "I am very proud of everything this honor represents for student-athletes and coaches and look forward to showcasing their incredible stories throughout the season."
 
Out of 149 nominees this year, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® is comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and one honorary head coach.
 
Stokes is the fourth NCCU football student-athlete to earn distinction on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in recent years, joining Jordan Reid in 2013, Carl Jones in 2016, and Nick Leverett in 2018.
 
 
STEPHEN STOKES
 
Community Service
 
Project BUILD Gang Intervention Program (Durham, N.C.) – works one-on-one with local youth (ages 14-21) who are at high risk of gang involvement, modeling pro-social behavior, providing behavior coaching, supporting positive decision-making, and encouraging education and employment success. (Spring 2020)
 
Big Brother Program (RN Harris Elementary School – Durham, N.C.) – listens to students' concerns about academic, emotional or social issues, helps students process their problems and plan goals and action, mediate conflict between students and teachers, identify behavioral problems and act appropriately to remedy the situation, and pay attention to societal and cultural differences in all student matters. (February 2019-May 2020)
 
Police Athletic League (Baltimore, Md.) – created at-home workout videos during COVID-19 pandemic for the PAL Center website.
 
Habitat for Humanity (Durham, N.C.) – painted houses. (Spring 2019)
 
NCCU Campus Garden (NC Central University – Durham, N.C.) – planted trees and vegetables in the NCCU campus garden. (Spring 2019)
 
NCCU Drama Department (NC Central University – Durham, N.C.) – constructed and painted props and sets for the NCCU Drama Department. (Spring 2017)
 
Parkville High School (Baltimore, Md.) – spoke with students at his alma mater about the importance of a higher education, and shared tips on how to be successful in college. (May 2020)
 
 
Leadership
 
NCCU Football Leadership Council (2019-Present)
 
NCCU German Club President (2018-20); NCCU German Club Vice President (2017-18)
 
 
Academics
 
Award for Excellence in the Study of German, NCCU Department of Language and Literature (Spring 2019)
 
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with concentration in Homeland Security, North Carolina Central University (May 2020) - Graduated with 3.15 cumulative grade point average.
 
 
Athletics
 
Defensive Back (Safety), NCCU Football (2017-19).
 
2019 Season: Started all 12 games in the defensive secondary. Finished with 62 tackles (46 solo), 7.0 hits for a loss, 1.0 sack, 2 interceptions for 47 yards, 6 pass break-ups, and 2 fumble recoveries. Placed third on the team and 10th in the conference with 8 passes defended (2 interceptions, 6 pass break-ups). Ranked fourth on the team and 17th in the MEAC with 62 tackles. Positioned second in the league with 2 fumble recoveries. Registered a season-best 7 tackles three times - at Towson (Sept. 7), at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14), and vs. Delaware State (Oct. 26).