City of Tempe issued the following announcement on Jan. 7.
Be inspired by astronauts, moving performances and the actions of this year's winners at the annual MLK Diversity Awards taking place at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan.14.
Hear uplifting spoken word from Qosmic Qadence and ask questions of Dr. Sian Proctor, the first Black woman to ever pilot a spacecraft. Mayor Corey Woods will speak about Tempe's progress toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion. Human Relations Commission Chair Kate Vawter will emcee the event.
Your questions answered live!
This year's ceremony is an interactive virtual event. Residents are invited to watch the program live at facebook.com/CityofTempe and offer up questions, congratulatory messages and comments about the program. Some of those comments may appear live in the program. Dr. Proctor will take questions from the community about her experiences in space. Those interested may also watch live at tempe.gov/Tempe11, on Cox cable channel 11 and on Century Link 8012.
2022 MLK Diversity Award winners
The MLK Diversity Awards honor people who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion and who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year's program honors people and organizations, including students, who work to make Dr. King's dream a reality.
Individual Adult
Lizbett Benge: Dr. Lizbett Benge lives, works and volunteers in Tempe. She has enriched the performance scene in the city through her social justice-based performance interventions about sexual violence, reproductive justice,
adultism, abolition, and the effects of colonization, racism and white supremacy. She has a deep and lasting commitment to social justice as evidenced by her community work and academic specializations in women of color feminisms, disability feminisms, and carceral studies. She is an incredibly authentic individual who brings joy to all around through her compassionate, understanding and caring demeanor.
Alison Porter: Alison Porter has displayed an extraordinary commitment to the people of Tempe and the
State of Arizona. She has dedicated her life to public service and making her community a better place. Alison works fearlessly for more inclusive representation for the city. She spearheaded efforts to organize Tempe by building "neighborhood teams." Not only have these teams fostered a new generation of local leaders, but they have also worked to connect the public with their leaders and inform Tempe residents on how politics at the municipal and statewide levels will impact their neighborhoods. Alison understands the struggles people face and will help at no cost. Alison Porter displays the same courtesy in her advocacy as MLK once did.
Jordan Wright: Jordan Wright aspires to be a productive member of society and hopes to be seen for his abilities. When Jordan was victimized in 2018, something sparked inside of him. When Red for Ed happened, he marched alongside his teachers; when George Floyd was killed, he marched and knelt in solidarity with his brothers and sisters. Jordan has spoken with newspapers about his actions and advocacy and has written Gov. Doug Ducey and his school board advocating for what will better him and marginalized populations. Jordan faces challenges with courage to move mountains. He knows what is right and he speaks the truth. His on-going commitment to widespread justice comes from within and spreads to others.
Individual Youth
Lillian Flottmann: Lillian Flottman is a senior at Corona Del Sol High School. She was born and raised in Tempe and has spent her entire life helping others. Her giving back is boundless: trash pickup, making blankets for shelter animals, creating gifts to distribute for children in shelters, crocheting hats for premature babies born into addiction and their mothers, packing meals for Feed My Starving Children, planting trees and plants in parks to bring pollinators and delivering fresh produce to food drives. Most recently, Lilly became the Tempe Peer Leader with Peer Solutions to help support the Equity in Action Coalition through the City of Tempe. She is helping to develop and distribute equity guidelines and training that can be applied to schools, governments, and businesses.
Denzel Higiro: Denzel Higiro moved to the United States at the age 16 with his family. Since moving to Tempe, Denzel has had a major impact in his community. In 2020, he became a member of the Tempe Mayor Youth Advisory Commission and became the first ever communication chairperson. With this position he was able to get the first newsletter approved and was one of the co-writers in its 2021 publishing. After reaching this milestone he went on to join the Tempe Children's Cabinet and is part of their first youth representatives. Denzel is a full IB student who is also a member of student council as senior class president. He is part of the Black Student Union, the webmaster of Key Club and a member of the IB club. As an empowered youth, Daniel gets the chance to go out and help others and spread the values of leadership, caring and inclusiveness.
Malaya McCorvey-Weil: Malaya McCorvey-Weil is a student at Desert Vista High School and is present in the Tempe community representing the African American Youth in Excellence. She is committed to Tempe’s core values and looks for every opportunity in giving her time and commitment to the community. Malaya has built strong relationships with youth and city officials. She has volunteered for many years with the African American Advisory Committee, participated and volunteered with the Downtown Tempe Authority. Most recently, she worked with the Arizona Career Development Center. Malaya is an active member of the Shelectricity Youth Leadership Council. This is a program that helps empower Black, brown, Indigenous, AAPI girls and genderqueer folks through technology, culture and community to create safe and nurturing online and in-person environments for girls and youth to learn, grow, innovate and lead. Malaya creates awareness by inviting others to be part of positive change.
Education
Tempe History Museum – Brenda Abney and Gary Looney: As a part of the Tempe History Museum, Brenda Abney and Gary Looney understand the need for diversity in the City of Tempe, how diversity unites us and makes Tempe a connected and better community. They are committed to making sure that the Tempe History Museum is a place where everyone feels welcome, that it is a place for on-going education about all the history of Tempe – whether it be good or bad – and where all the stories of the Tempe community are told. As supporters of and advocates for the African American Advisory Committee, Brenda and Gary ensure that the stories of African Americans in Tempe can be shared with the Tempe community through increasing activities, programs and budget. They work to bring diversity to the museum in all facets of programs so that those diverse experiences make Tempe a better place and community.
Community Organization
AGC Collector’s Club of Arizona: The AGC Collector's Club of Arizona vision statement is to "share the joy of collecting African American collectibles as well as other collectible items.” As a small organization, the same committed members do everything to make sure that others’ programs, services and goods, which give back to the community, are funded and supported. The organization highlighted the topics of hunger and homelessness for the 2021 Club Year. In response to the on-going pandemic, the organization reached out to help those unhoused and confronting hunger by supporting Maggie's Place for pregnant moms and their babies located in Tempe. They also supported the Tempe Corps of the Salvation Army to help provide food and other necessary items for people in Tempe. The club has also continued to support the food pantry of the Tempe Community Action Agency, Black History Month and Juneteenth events. Since the founding of the AGC Collector's Club of Arizona in 1995, the organization helps children, seniors, single parents, and adults without regard to gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Business
Printing Specialists: Printing Specialists is owned and operated by Marcus Newton. With the COVID pandemic, Printing Specialists stepped up to make face masks for many organizations, including hospitals and fire departments, free of charge. The company is involved in Project Cure, the largest distributor of donated medical equipment to resource limited communities across the globe, serving sick and dying in more than 135 countries. The company also supports the Salvation Army's Forgotten Angels program, collecting toys at its annual open house every December. Printing Specialists is a company that encourages all its clients to volunteer and increase their community involvement and diversity efforts.
Original source can be found here.
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