AWARDS CEREMONY BRIDGE BUILDER AND GAME CHANGERS
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 04:42PM On December 8, 2011, an invitation only luncheon was held in Oakland California which paid tribute and presented awards to individuals and organizations that have championed the causes of people of color through their advocacy and leadership. The event was the first annual 'Bridge Builder and Game Changers' awards ceremony hosted by the Black Economic Council (BEC).
At the truly inspirational event, the Dolores Huetra Economic Freedom Award was presented to President Mike Peevey of the California Public Utilities Commission, for his leadership and commitment to diversity and inclusion under GO-156.
The 2011 Eleanor Roosevelt Economic Development Award was presented to Joan Kerr, Director of Supplier Diversity for PG&E and former Director at AT&T. Because of her leadership and vision, Joan Kerr has created a "gold" standard as a champion of small and minority-owned businesses.
Robert Gnaizda, General Counsel of the BEC and co-founder of Greenlining Institute, received the 2011 Maverick Award for his out of the box strategies for promoting a more level playing field for communities of color on key issues directly related to economic stability and growth.
AT&T Corporation received the 2011 Game Changer Award to recogize their visionary leaders including Ken McNeely, AT&T President of California, a proven champion for diversity and inclusion and Marianne Strobel, Executive Director of Global Supplier Diversity, for implementing leading edge initiatives such as "Operation Hand Salute" and "Women of Color Business Growth Initiative".
The Greenlining Institute received the 2011 Brige Builder Award in recognition of the commitment to fight redlining and instituionalized discrimination over the last eighteen years.
Andree Driskell, BEC Vice-President received the Unsung Hero Award for her unwavering commitment to the work of the organization for the past six years.
The invitation only event was attended by more than 150 attendees and was sponsored by AT&T, East West Bank, First Republic Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, PG&E and HSBC Bank.