[Durham INC] Durham Announces Human Relations Awards Ceremony Keynote Speaker

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

News Media Contact:

Amy Blalock

Sr. Public Affairs Specialist

(919) 560-4123 x 11253

(919) 475-7735 (cell)

Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov 

http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC 

http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC    

 

For Immediate Release: February 19, 2013

 

 

Durham Announces Keynote Speaker for Human Relations Awards Ceremony February 21

NCCU School of Law Professor Irving L. Joyner to Serve as Keynote Speaker

 

DURHAM, N.C. - This Thursday evening, the City of Durham will recognize several area leaders who have distinguished themselves by contributing their time and talents to promoting good human relations in Durham.

 

In honor of February as Human Relations Month, the City's Human Relations Commission and the Human Relations Division of the City's Neighborhood Improvement Department are hosting the 2013 Human Relations Award Ceremony on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the Hayti Heritage Center, located at 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham. The event is free and open to the public with refreshments immediately following the conclusion of the program.

 

Professor Irving L. Joyner with the North Carolina Central University School of Law will serve as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Joyner has worked as a professor at the NCCU School of Law since 1982. From 1984 to 1992, Joyner served as the associate dean of NCCU School of Law. He regularly teaches courses in criminal law; criminal procedure; civil rights; race and the law; professional responsibility; and trial practice. As a member of the faculty, Joyner serves on a number of law school and university committees. Most recently, he was responsible for the pardon of the Wilmington 10 and will discuss this during his keynote address. He serves on several state study commissions and agencies and in leadership roles with a variety of community groups and organizations. This service includes a five-year term as the vice-chairperson of the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot Commission. He is also a regular legal commentator for local, state and national media primarily in the areas of law, politics, civil rights, and racial justice. For the past 10 years, he has co-hosted the highly acclaimed "Legal Eagle Review," which is dedicated to a discussion of current local and national legal issues and is heard each Saturday morning on WNCU 90.7 FM.

 

At this ceremony, awards will be given in the following categories:

·         Carlie B. Sessoms Award ― the highest and most coveted award to an individual or organization that has made a major impact on improving human relations. This award commemorates contributions of the late Carlie B. Sessoms, a Durham native who served as chair of the Human Relations Commission and played a major role in improving human relations locally and nationally.

·         Housing Award ― recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding efforts in promoting fair housing with emphasis on the economic, social and/or political impact in the community that has encouraged diversity and housing opportunities for all.

·         Human Rights Award ― presented to a local, state, or federal lawmaker who has successful supported or promoted human rights causes and issues.

·         Human Rights Youth Award ― presented to an individual or group of individuals under the age of 18 for demonstrating an understanding of, and commitment to, human relations in Durham.

 

For more information, contact Delilah Donaldson, manager for the Human Relations Division of the City's Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, at (919) 560-4107, ext. 34277 or by email at Delilah.Donaldson at DurhamNC.gov. 

 

About the Human Relations Division in the City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department

The Neighborhood Improvement Services Department works to preserve and improve quality of life conditions for Durham residents, and to encourage active participation in neighborhood redevelopment and public policy and decision making dialogue. The department is responsible for enforcement of quality of life ordinances and state statutes including the City's Minimum Housing Code; Nonresidential Code; Weedy Lot, Abandoned and Junk Vehicle ordinances; and the State of North Carolina's Unsafe Building Statute. The department's Human Relations Division strives to improve race and human relations in the City by working to eliminate housing discrimination and by prioritizing community outreach and educational activities to meet the needs of Durham's residents. The Human Relations Division also provides oversight to the City of Durham Human Relations Commission, which is comprised of 15 Durham residents who meet monthly to work on activities designed to improve human relations and promote harmony throughout Durham. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, the department helps ensure that Durham has thriving, livable neighborhoods by providing the highest quality of services to engage and educate the community, eradicate blight, ensure safer neighborhoods, and enhance neighborhood revitalization. For more information, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/cb/nis/Pages/Home.aspx <http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/cb/nis/Pages/Home.aspx> . 

 

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