Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 January 2003 — Page 9

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A9

Carson, Speaker Bauer honored at 30 th Annual IEA Dr. King Awards Dinner

Staff Report Congresswoman Julia Carson, House Speaker Pat Bauer and the communitywide effort to provide Indianapolis workers a “living wage” were among the 1? individuals honored at the 30th annual Indianapolis Education Association’s Dr. Martin Luther King Human Rights Awards Dinner Saturday night (January 11th). For 30 years, the annual dinner sponsored by the Indianapolis Education Association, the union of IPS’ teachers, has celebrated Dr. King’s life and legacy and honored the achievements of outstanding teachers, administrators, politicians, business and community leaders; and Indianapolis Public Schools students, who have “made significant contributions to the promotion of human and civil rights.” Nine of the 17 honorees were students or educators in the Indianapolis Public Schools. The six students honored were IPS seniors who received the prestigious “Edie Atwell Living the Dream Award.” Awarded in memory of educator and long

time IEA leader Edie Atwell, the award recognizes IPS seniors for their citizenship and academic achievement. A husband and wife teaching duo were honored by the IEA with their Leadership in the United Education Professions Award. Gerry Solomon teaches at John Marshall Middle School and his wife Joanne Solomon teaches at Elder W. Diggs School 42. Both are longtime teachers and IEA leaders. Carol Grimes-Weeden, a teacher at John Marshall Middle School, was honored with the Leadership in Education Award. A separate Leadership in Education Award went to the Peace Learning Center and direc- congresswoman Julia Carson tor Charlie Wiles tor their ef-

forts in teaching conflict resolution to area students. Congresswoman Carson, a longtime supporter of public education and the Indianapolis Education Association, received a Special Award for Human and Civil Rights. Carson also served as honorary chair of the annual event.

Atwell Award recipients Michael T. Durrett, Northwest High School. Patricia M. Jones, Emmerich Manual High School.

Brittany G. Johnson, Arlington High School. Ashley K. Rogers, Broad Ripple High School. Arian K. White, Arsenal Technical High School. (Not pictured) LaToria Wilson, Key Learning Community (Photos/John Hurst).

Speaker Bauer received the Leadership in Legislative and Political Action for his support of public education, particularly during his service as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. The Community Faith and Labor Coalition were honored with the Leadership Award in Community Service for their efforts at moving Indianapolis workers towards a "living wage.” Last week, the coalition’s efforts were rewarded w’hen Mayor Bart Peterson raised the wages of the lowest paid city employees. Also receiving a Leadership in Community Service Award was first-term IPS School Board member Clarke Campbell. The Leadership in Business Award was bestowed on businesswoman Elizabeth Henry, owner of three McDonald’s franchises. Willie Frank Middlebrook, the popular talk show host of WTLC-AMl310’s “The Bottom Line,” was awarded the Leadership in Communications Award. Keynote speaker was Eddie Davis III, vice president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, a last minute replacement for announced speaker Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association who unexpectedly cancelled.

Cornel West Tavis Smiley to speak at Butler's Diversity Series Two noted speakers will . kick off Butler University’s 2003 Celebration of Diversity Series. Dr. Cornel West will speak on Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Clowes Memorial Hall. Radio host and political commentator Tavis Smiley will speak on Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Clowes Memorial Hall. The Celebration of Diversity Series is a collaborative diversity initiative between Butler University and the Office of the Mayor, Both events are free and open to the public, although admission tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Clowes box office. For more information regarding tickets, call (317) 940-(i444. Dr. Cornel West is the former Alphonse Fletcher Jr. University Professor at Harvard University and has been described as one of America’s most vital and eloquent public intellectuals. In groundbreaking books such as Race Matters, Restoring Hope, The American Evasion of Philosophy, Jews and /Hacks: Let the Healing Regin, The War

Cornel West Photo by John Seyfried

Against Parents, The Future of American Progressivism and his latest hook, The Cornel West Reader, he describes how the growing divisions in our society foster despair and distrust that undermine our democratic process. West is currently on the faculty of Princeton University. He recently released the Cl) “Sketches of My Culture” and continues to explore new avenues for teaching and communicating. By working to create an ongoing dialogue between the numerous voices in our culture, West pursues his vigilant efforts to restore hope to America. Smiley, host of the NPR program “The Tavis Smiley Show,” grew up in Kokomo and graduated from Indiana University. He is the author of five books, including, most recently, How to Make Rlaek America Retter — a call to African Americans to

take control of their destiny. Smiley is the publisher of “The Smiley Report newsletter” and offers political commentary for a number of national television and radio news programs. Smiley also founded the Tavis Smiley Foundation, a nonprofit organization that encourages, empowers and enlightens Black youth. The cornerstone program of the foundation. Youth to Leaders (Y2L), is an annual series of one-day leader-ship-build i ng co u fe re n ces that take place in cities nationwide. Tavis Smiley Presents, a subsidiary of The Smiley Group, brings ideas and people together through symposiums, seminars, forums and town hall meetings. For more information, contact Rutler's Office of Hiversity Programs at (•It/) PW-yJHl.

Franklin College FOR LEADERS, FOR LIFE

“We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to mankind.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ...striving to keep the dream alive. Find out more about Franklin College’s mission that promotes service, leadership, and life long pursuit of learning. Call 1-800-852-0232 today. www.franklineollege.edu