MLK HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
PROGRAM AND CONCERT

On January 13, 2009 the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards Program and Concert were held at the Boettcher Concert Hall. Desiree Marchman from the Division of Civil Rights, a committee member of the group organizing and presenting the evening, participated in planning the public’s nomination of nine Honorees. The Honoree were selected through public nomination and committee selection, were chosen because they have helped to bring about Dr. King’s dream of “an equal chance for all persons to build a better life regardless of their race, gender, religion or disability”. This year, the Honorees were Christie Donnor, Russ Nesiba, Tracy Jenkins-Winchester, Calvin Natt, Maria Guajardo, Pastors Leon and Yvonne Emerson. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jean and Sam Guyton.

After a private reception for the Honorees and sponsors which was attended by the Lieutenant Governor O’Brien, Civil Rights Division Director Steve Chavez, Mayor Hickenlooper, Auditor Gallagher, City Councilwoman Madison and numerous other elected officials and notables, the party adjourned to a community reception which was well-attended. After that reception, the Awards Program hosted by newscaster Tamara Banks began. Governor Ritter presented awards to the Honorees and mentioned each person’s significant contribution to the community. Following the Awards Program the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the East High School Honors Choir, under the direction of Chelsea Tipton, II (symphony) and William Taylor (Honors Choir), performed spectacularly. Nothing was more spectacular, though, than the violin performance of Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, a fifteen year old protégé who brought the house to its feet.

It will be a challenge to top this year’s program, however, keep an eye out for nomination forms beginning in the fall of the year since planning for the 2010 event has already begun.