East Valley MLK awards for Chandler, Mesa, Tempe leaders
Chandler City Council O.D. Harris says thousands gathered for the Jan. 20 East Valley MLK Celebration, a day dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Mesa City Plaza …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Chandler City Council O.D. Harris says thousands gathered for the Jan. 20 East Valley MLK Celebration, a day dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Mesa City Plaza event is where Harris said, in a news release, the community came together to recognize and celebrate the “inaugural class” of the East Valley MLK Awards.
The event, organized by Harris and his Ready Set Go Foundation, Tempe City Council member Berdetta Hodge and the East Valley Black Elected Officials, the release states, acknowledged the achievements of its leaders.
The event included a parade led by Keisha McKinnor. The celebration the moved to the Mesa City Plaza, where the East Valley MLK Awards ceremony recognized individuals, businesses and nonprofits whose contributions have positively impacted the East Valley.
“Today, we honor those who carry forward Dr. King’s dream with their dedication and service,” Hodge stated in the release.
“The strength of our community is reflected in these leaders, and we are proud to celebrate them,” added Harris.
Among the awardees were former Mayor of Mesa John Giles, former Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers, State Vice President of the NAACP Andre Miller, East Valley NAACP Honorable Jevin Hodge, Chief Jeff Glover, and longtime organizer Keisha McKinnor.
U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, whose district includes much of Mesa, provided congressional recognition from his office for each awardee.
Each recipient was presented with congressional recognitions, acknowledging their efforts and commitment to fostering change and progress.
The day included cultural performances and speeches, all echoing Dr. King’s message of unity, equality, and hope, the release states.
The celebration was a recognition of past achievements and a call to action, encouraging everyone to continue the pursuit of a just and inclusive society, the release states.
The awardees include:
Business Awards:
- Cut N Corners by Joy Johnson
- West Alley BBQ
- Red Level Entertainment
- Lush
- Phoenix Soul
- Momma Soulful Kitchen
- Fab Kids
Nonprofit Awards:
- East Valley NAACP
- LaloBoy Foundation
- Pretty Smart by Faith Johnson
- Black East Valley Fire Fighters
- Jeff Glover (Arizona Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement)
Individual Awards:
- Jevin Hodge
- Keisha McKinnor
- Rae Black
- Dr. LaNée Javet
- Ron Williams
- Tamar Burch
- Roy Tatem
- Jack Sellers
- John Giles
- Stacia Wilson
- James Driscoll
- Kiana Sears
- Dr. Gilbert
- Elizabeth Ward
Spiritual Leaders Awards
- Pastor Wade
- Dr. Donise Dillard
- Andrea Miller
- Juan Brown
We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
