1/31/2007
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
 |
Mayor honors local businesses, organizations for commitment to diversity
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson today recognized five local businesses and organizations during the sixth annual Mayor's Celebration of Diversity Awards. More than 1,200 people attended a luncheon this afternoon to salute the winners.
The Mayor created the awards to honor businesses and organizations that support four major aspects of promoting diversity in the work place, including 1) workforce diversity, 2) development of diversity education and communication within the organization, 3) community activities encouraging diversity, and 4) leadership in diversity strategies throughout the organization.
“These awards recognize the tremendous leaders in our business and not-for-profit community who have committed to growing and celebrating our city’s rich racial, ethnic and religious heritage,” Mayor Peterson said. “All of these organizations and businesses serve as a great example of the strides we can make as a community when we focus on fairness, inclusiveness and togetherness.”
A record 23 organizations were nominated, and a committee interviewed the nominees, conducted on-site meetings and selected the winners.
Sam H. Jones Award. This special award is the top award given and recognizes a business or organization with the strongest performance in all four categories.
WellPoint, Inc. was this years recipient of the Sam H. Jones Award. The Mayor named the award in honor of the late Sam Jones, the first president of the Indianapolis Urban League and a tireless advocate for peace, justice and understanding in Indianapolis.
“The work of Sam Jones helped make these diversity awards possible,” Mayor Peterson said. “His vision and leadership laid the foundation for local organizations to develop initiatives supporting diversity and race relations.”
The other award recipients include: Wishard Health Services for workforce diversity; The Fay Biccard Neighborhood Center for development of diversity education; The Indianapolis Children’s Museum for community activities encouraging diversity; and Butler University for leadership in diversity strategies.
The Celebration of Diversity Awards are an outgrowth of the Mayor's January 2000 Summit on Race Relations, which brought together more than 900 Indianapolis residents to engage in dialogue and action to bridge the gap that sometimes exist between people of different races, religions and backgrounds.
-30-
|
