Caribbean-American Among Honorees Of Urban League Of Broward County 2009 Equal Opportunity Day Red Gala
FORT LAUDERDALE – The Urban League of Broward County (ULBC) is poised to host the 2009 Equal Opportunity Day Red Gala, on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. This year the ULBC will be honoring four outstanding individuals for their extraordinary achievements in social justice and race relations, education, law and business diversity.
Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the ULBC states that “This year’s slate of honorees, like in the past, are wonderfully talented and giving individuals. We are proud to honor what they do in their work and in their community to make it a better place for all of us.”
Rosita E. Kenigsberg will receive the Margaret Roach Humanitarian Award. Ms. Kenigsberg is Executive Vice President of the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc. and the Founding Chair of the State of Florida Commissioner of Education’s Task Force on Holocaust Education. Ms. Kenigsberg has more than 29 years of loyal service in race relations, education and advocacy. Her work is dedicated to making sure youth learn from the lessons of the Holocaust. The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center is currently in the midst of creating the first South Florida Holocaust Museum, which will be the first in North America to teach the story of the Holocaust in English and Spanish. This Museum will stress the fact that the lessons of the Holocaust are unique and universal and that violent hate crimes happen every day to individuals of all races and ethnicities. The Center’ s efforts focus on the significance of values, pluralism, responsibility and respect for human dignity, decency and life as well as the dangers of racism, bigotry, stereotyping, and indifference to individuals. Her inspiring leadership has resulted in many changes in Broward County and around the world. She believes that history does repeat itself when proper education and respect for individuals are not adhered to and are not taught. Today, through her tireless work with the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, thousands are taught to look beyond race, hatred and bigotry in order to make this a more humane world. As her beloved father, who was a Survivor of the Holocaust, always told her, “ Rositta remember, that as long as there is someone to tell the story there is life and as long as there is someone to listen there is hope.
Ghenete Wright Muir will receive the GenNext Momentum Award. Ms. Wright Muir, is an Assistant Public Defender for Broward County and has been a leader in the Broward County legal community for a number of years and recently, became the President-Elect of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association. In her current position as a Public Defender she represents low income individuals who cannot afford an attorney to represent them in legal matters brought before the court. In 2007, Ms. Wright Muir was the recipient of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association’s Achievement Award in recognition of her “Demonstrated Commitment, Service and Leadership in the Broward County legal community.” Also, in 2007, Ghenete was elected to the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Board of Governors and serves as an appointed Board Member of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce.
She is a regular columnist for the National Weekly newspaper where her “Legally Speaking” column provides easy to read layman’s terms legal information to the community. Ms. Wright Muir is dedicated to helping individuals improve their way of life through access to information and better opportunities in business and education.
Chuck Fallon, President North America, Burger King Corporation will receive the Diversity Champion Award sponsored by Tripp Scott. This award is being presented to Mr. Fallon for leading a company that is commitment to promoting diversity through their corporate business strategies and practices. As part of Burger King Corporation’s mission, the organization ensures that the fair representation of African Americans and other minorities are included in various aspects of the company’s operations at all levels.
The 2009 Youth Achiever Award goes to Ryan Walker. The Youth Achiever Award, sponsored by Comcast, honors an Urban League youth participant for outstanding service and performance in academics and the community. Walker has graduated from Broward Academy with 3.96 GPA. Because of her excellence in high school, Walker will be attending University of Miami, as a junior, to continue her thirst for education and
awareness for women’s and gender studies. Walker also has a conditional acceptance to medical school where she anticipates owning her own practice specializing in HIV/AIDS and Sexual/Reproductive Health. Some of Walker’s stellar community experience includes lobbying to Congress in Washington DC for comprehensive sex education, many HIV/AIDS education initiatives, gender awareness, food drives, workshop facilitation.
The Red Gala is set to be a party with a purpose. There will be a speakeasy casino, a silent auction and lots of entertaining surprises throughout the evening. Shannon Carey, Chief Development Officer for the ULBC states, “This is the one event of the year when we can all come together and celebrate accomplishments as well as have a little fun. It is going to be one of those ‘just can’t miss it’ events and will lead us beautifully into our next milestone.”
The 2009 Equal Opportunity Day Red Gala Stompin’ at the Savoy party will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $200.00 per person. For online reservations, sponsorship opportunities and advertising journal rates visit the Urban League of Broward County online at www.ulbroward.org or call Alica Brown at (954) 625-2544.
