College Groups and Individuals Honored for Social Justice
The Inclusion & Dialogue Center at Emory & Henry College hosted the first social justice awards ceremony as part of the College’s celebration of Black History Month.
Patricia Gonzalez, director of the Inclusion & Dialogue Center, created the event to recognize students and faculty who promote social equality.
The ceremony was inspired by the student group, INCITES, and students that were members of the E&H Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.
The awards portion of the ceremony featured an honor named for both Martin Luther King, Jr. and current college chaplain and longtime Martin Luther King (MLK) Day organizer Mary K. Briggs. Briggs was awarded a plaque for her work with the annual MLK celebration.
“Mary K. planned Emory & Henry’s MLK Day events for nine years,” said Gonzalez. “When the Inclusion & Dialogue Center was created in 2016, we inherited those responsibilities. It was important for us to recognize the phenomenal job that Mary K. has done over the years.”
The first recipient of the MLK Briggs Award was Dr. Amy Sorenson, E&H assistant professor of sociology, for her contributions to the Tunnel of Oppression interactive display set up during the MLK Day celebration.
In addition, the honorable Social Justice Award was presented to Bristol Herald Courier writer Jess Nocera for her coverage of related events.
For Gonzalez, social justice and equality are defined by how students conduct themselves in a global society.
“Social justice is not a habit, but a lifestyle,” Gonzalez added. “Students can not only have a social impact on our campus, but outside of it as well, and that is the message that we are trying to promote.”
Others recognized at the event included:
Orion Rummler: Transgender Day of Remembrance
Destiny Cobb: Black Lives Matter
Jacob Lawson & Emaly Allison: GSA Tunnel of Oppression
Diana Lopez, Stacy Escobar, Mariano Ayala: Immigration Tunnel of Oppression
Ed Davis: Tunnel of Oppression
Amaya Garza, Ana Rampy: Climate Control.
Emma Grace Thompson: Saltville Massacre
Sam Page, B’Ria Arlenda-Jasmyne Burns “AJ”, Crystal Babb: Art Installation of Saltville Massacre
Alpha Beta Chi Social Sorority
Jordan Smith: MLK Student Workshop
Josh Von Castle: Women’s March & Social Justices Activities
Faculty Staff of Color Association
Emory Activities Board: Programming Geared to All Students
Amanda Gardner and Gonzalo Baptista: Translate Your Career
Emma Cruz: Multicultural Association and Orientation Leader
Peter Stevenson: Health and Exercise Programming
Kelly Bremner: 2017 Fall Transitions Class
Alana Simmons: E&H Cares/Sexual Assault Education
Tal Stanley: Healthy Debates
Achille Wangam: #BlackExcellence Project
Sam Mungai: Students’ Voices Video
Community Organizing
Celeste Gaia and Bence Bays: International Student Fair
Claire Hoggs: Vagina Monologues
Kelly Kirby and Matt Mathis: #TimesUp
Shalonda Carter: Alumni Honorary Award