NBC-LEO Names City Cultural Diversity Award Winners

The 2005 National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) City Cultural Diversity Awards were presented to seven NLC member cities during the Celebrate Diversity Breakfast at the Congressional City Conference.  This year’s award winners represented a large cross section of cities from around the country with programs addressing the growing populations of the Hispanic community and the civil rights movement.

The City Cultural Diversity Awards were judged by a committee made up of NBC-LEO members and representatives from three of the other NLC constituency groups. 

The committee from NBC-LEO included: Felicia Moore, councilmember and program committee chair, Atlanta, Ga.; Robert Raynor, councilmember, New Bern, N.C.; Ed Smith, alderman, Chicago, Ill.; Louvenia Mathison, councilmember, Berkeley, Mo.; and Rillastine Wilkins, mayor, Muskegon Heights, Mich. 

The judges from the other constituency groups were: Jean Quan, councilmember, Oakland, Calif. (APAMO); Patty Sheehan, Commissioner, Orlando Fla. (GLBLO); and Elizabeth Paterson, mayor, Mansfield, Conn. (UCC).

By population category, the first place awards were presented to Phoenix, Ariz., (over 400,001 pop.); Hampton, Va., (100,001-400,000); Lauderhill, Fla., (25,001-100,000); and South Sioux City, Neb. (under 25,000).

Cities selected as runners up were Reno, Nev., (100,001-400,000); Puyallup, Wash., (25,001-100,000); and Clarksburg, W.Va., (under 25,000).

A brief program description of the award winning cities is listed below:

South Sioux City was recognized for its “Siouxland Immigrant Leadership Training,” a series of nine educational programs held on Saturday afternoons.  The program was designed to enhance the civic understanding and leadership skills of Siouxland immigrants.  

The mission is to provide immigrants with basic information about leadership and how the information about the institutions in the community function so these influential individuals may begin exercising their leadership abilities for the benefit of the community at large.  For details contact Norma DeLao, New Iowan Center Director at 712-233-9037.

Lauderhill was recognized for its “Unite-A-Fest Caribbean Festival,” a three-day celebration that showcases various cultures.  The Caribbean showcase is intended to celebrate and educate the community through music, dance, food, arts and crafts.  For details contact Leslie Tropepe at 954-730-3000.

Hampton was recognized for its “Hampton Diversity College,” a program of diversity education for citizens sponsored by the Hampton Citizens’ Unity Commission. The Hampton Diversity College is comprised of two components: a six-week “Workplace Diversity Sessions” course and an eight-week “Community Diversity Sessions” course.  For details contact John L. Johnson, executive director, at 757-728-3279.

Phoenix won for its International Women’s Day Work Team.   Phoenix champions its long-held value of cultural diversity and awareness by celebrating the unique contributions of women while empowering them to realize their educational dreams. 

The key strength of this program is the positive results of citizen involvement in a city or community commemorative event, renewed appreciation of cultural diversity as a way of life, and the awarding of academic scholarships for women in need. 

For details contact Carole Coles Henry, director, at 602-262-6258.

In the runner-up awards category, Reno, Nev., was honored for its ReTRAC Project “Opportunities for Diverse Populations in the Construction Trades.” The Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor (ReTRAC) is the largest public works project in the history of the City of Reno and Northern Nevada.

The ReTRAC Project Diversity in Employment and Training Committee exposes residents to the range of career opportunities available in the heavy construction trades via workshops and special events to assist and recruit non-traditional applicants, including women and minorities, with human services programs and assistance with obtaining educational requirements to enter the apprenticeship programs.  For details contact Laura Dickey, diversity and training manager, at 775-344-3123.

The City of Puyallup, Wash., was recognized for its “Latino Community Outreach Program.” This program has its core Community Oriented Government Meetings, Police Department Latino Community Academies, Latino Celebration Day, and Latino Appreciation Week. 

Successful partnering, community involvement and individual commitment are the foundation for this exchange of cultural differences that demonstrates how mutual respect can build bridges that lead to trusting and meaningful relationships.  For details contact Jim Bacon at 253-845-5500.

Clarksburg, W.Va., was selected for its Civil Rights Team Project, an initiative designed to empower youth to develop an awareness of diversity and tolerance issues. 

Students are selected to participate through a competitive application process and are expected to be exemplary students who maintain above average grades.  Students work within their school to promote fairness for all students and citizens.