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City of Glendale - Unity Day- Jan.18. 2008

Photos and Video By Ed Sharpe  Glendale Daily Planet

Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day Luncheon took place at the Glendale  Civic Center Jan.18. 2008

We celebrated the life and ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. with a special luncheon on Jan. 18 at the Glendale Civic Center.

This year’s keynote speaker was poet, author and professor Nikki Giovanni who came of age during the Civil Rights Movement. Over the past 25 years, Nikki Giovanni's outspokenness, in her writing and in person, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of our most widely read American poets, she prides herself on being "A black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English."

Giovanni,   has written nearly 20 books, and has established herself as an outspoken advocate for equality in America.

Nikki Giovanni is  also well-known for her moving poem We Are Virginia Tech, which she recited after last spring's Virginia Tech massacre .

The luncheon was hosted by the city’s Diversity Committee, which strives to promote an environment that places a high value on individuality, dignity, respect and professional growth.  The committee presented the Promoting Inclusiveness award, to acknowledge the recipient’s contribution to promoting inclusiveness within our community. 

As one of the state’s premier celebrations of Dr. King’s life and the ideals his name so symbolically represents, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Day Luncheon demonstrates Glendale’s commitment to create a society that is more just, peaceful and understanding.

YOU MAY WATCH VIDEO OF 
THE KEYNOTE SPEECH   --CLICK HERE--

Promoting Inclusiveness Award 2007

The City of Glendale's Diversity Committee strives to promote an environment that places a high value on individual dignity, respect and professional growth. Collectively, they recognize the contributions reflected in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision.

This years award winner of the Promoting Inclusiveness Award  in 2007
was presented to Opal J. Evans

Click small photos.... They become large!

   Eric Strunk ,  Opal J. Evans  and Glendale  City Manager Ed Beasley
The City of Glendale presented its Promoting Inclusiveness Award
 to Opal Evans, founder and CEO of Women and Youth for Self-Reliance Academy.

Carolyn Dryer, with The Glendale Star reported,    Strunk said Evans works with many of Glendale’s public housing residents “to prepare, mentor and train them to succeed outside of public housing through the Resident Opportunities Self-Sufficiency Program. She has done so by tirelessly working to guide many to self-sufficiency and independence from assistance programs.

“Her tenacity has resulted in many partnerships with various local organizations such as Gateway Community College, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension program, DES, Glendale libraries and Parks and Recreation, as well as homeonwership/credit counseling/down payment assistance providers, such as Neighborhood Housing Services.

“Through her leadership,” Strunk said, “she insists that our participating residents open their eyes to see their own, unique potential.”