Spotlight On...
2010 Champions of Diversity
In a room full of champions for social justice at the Diversity Council’s Annual Meeting on January 21st, three people stood out as recipients of this year’s Champion of Diversity Award: Terri Allred, Robert Banks, and Roger Peterson. All three award winners were recognized for demonstrating an outstanding level of dedication to the Diversity Council’s mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming community.
Terri
Allred (pictured with husband Daniel and sons Dylan and Jack) is the owner
of Rochester International
Dance Studio, whose tagline is "Dance for every woman." Mary
Allen, a long time student of Allred wrote in her nomination, “Her
... philosophy of acceptance of all types of differences—cultural,
age, size and shape, social position, talent or lack of it, etc. makes
her a Model for Diversity!” Through classes at Terri’s
dance studio, people improve their body image and find peace and well-being.
Robert
Banks (photo used by permission from the Post-Bulletin) was nominated by
three community members for his work with many different groups of students
at John Marshall High School. Two
nominators wrote: “We have seen Robert bring unity to our school
and we feel he reaches the community, as well.” Another community
member praised Robert for “helping each person to be the best they
can be and to think openly about accepting everyone for who they are.” Perhaps
most importantly, Robert tirelessly reaches out to others, never saying, “It’s
not my job!”
Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson was nominated by Diversity Council
staff for his efforts to educate the public about the crime rate and underlying
causes of crime in Rochester, and to dispel misperceptions about the effects
of an increasingly diverse local population on crime in our city. He
has also been very vocal in his support for community-based prevention
programs such as recreation and education, pointing out that they are a
crucial and effective component of public safety. Chief Peterson
expressed surprise at his recognition: “Police chiefs are not
often viewed as champions of diversity. I will take this an indication
that while we’re not where we want to be, we’re on the right
road.”
On behalf of all the residents of Rochester and the surrounding area, we thank these three Champions of Diversity and all others who are putting their words and beliefs into action to lift up ALL of our neighbors and make this a place where everyone is free to live, work, learn, and thrive without regard to their size, socioeconomic status, race, or other factors.
Diversity . . . it’s all about respect!