2008 Unity Awards Recipients

May 28, 2008

The Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue, Hampton family YMCA, Langley Elementary School, Mix Magazine, Virginia Air & Space Center, and Virginia Department of Transportation - Hampton Roads District were chosen as recipients of the 2008 Unity Awards. The Unity Awards Program recognizes individuals, initiatives, organizations, and businesses that have has a positive impact on racial and cultural diversity for the City of Hampton.

Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue hosted the Equity Diversity Conference in Hampton from November 2-4, 2007. The goal of the conference was to increase the awareness of cultural diversity, improve human relations and foster equal opportunities in a modern multicultural workforce. The theme of the conference was "Combining Elements to Fuel Change" and focused on leveraging diversity present in the workforce to create a more cohesive work environment. Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue also leant its support to creating the newly formed Hampton Public Safety Diversity College for staff and volunteers in working in public safety agencies such as fire, police, sheriff office, etc.

The Hampton Family YMCA along with the Hampton City Schools, partnered with the Hampton Citizens' Unity Commission for "Hampton Unites" in which participants were invited to recite the "Hampton Pledge" and demonstrate their support by wearing clear "Hampton Unites" wristbands. The Hampton Family YMCA has shown its commitment to diversity awareness by hosting a class of the Hampton Diversity College program at its Hampton facility. It also encourages staff to attend for an opportunity to learn more about the diverse community they serve. The Hampton Family YMCA embraces diversity in all aspects of the organization from its programs for older adults, teens, people with disabilities, and before and after school programs.

Langley Elementary School serves Hampton's English as a Second Language (ESL) population with students whose cultural origins are in 32 different counties. The faculty and staff at Langley have chosen to embrace the reflected school and city population by having programs that celebrate the different races and ethnicities. In October 2007, Langley cut the ribbon on a Cultural Center highlighting the unique diversity of the school population. Students, parents and staff donated the items on display. Currently there are items on display from Russia, the Philippines, China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Zimbabwe, Mexico, and Greece. In the manner of the United Nations, display flags from many counties span the tops of the international cases. Langley recently held International Night Out. The food, customs and clothing of 15 cultures were represented.

Mix Magazine is a new publication that promotes cross cultural dialogue and makes its readers aware of issues in the minority communities without divesting inclusiveness of any racial or cultural group. Mix Magazine introduces us to people, organizations and businesses who represent the rich cornucopia of diverse colors, cultures and ethnicities living and working in Hampton Roads. The staff at Mix Magazine is racially and culturally diverse as are the articles and the magazine's advertisers. Mix Magazine has demonstrated an invaluable commitment to promoting cultural diversity by making such a quality publication free to the Hampton Roads Community.

The Virginia Air and Space Center along with the Hampton Citizens' Unity Commission sponsored the 2008 Black History Month Celebration. Highlights of this event included bringing Dr. Guy Bluford, the first African American in space, to Hampton. Astronaut Guion Bluford became the first African American in space when he flew on the space shuttle Challenger in 1983. Bluford was a former Air Force fighter pilot who flew 144 combat missions in the Vietnam War in 1966-67.

Members of the Tidewater Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen were also at this event. The Tuskegee Airmen was the popular name of a group of African American pilots who flew with distinction during World War II as the 332nd Fighter Group of the US Army Air Corps. The Tidewater Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen continues its proud legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Members of the Virginia Air National Guard, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB were also part of this celebration.

During Black History Month, visitors to the Virginia Air and Space Center explored exhibits highlighting African American achievements in aviation, science and technology.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) - Hampton Roads District sponsored a Unity Fair on June 27, 2007 for all of its employees. As stated in a VDOT newsletter: "The purpose of the fair was to encourage equality, fairness, dignity, communication and respect within our workforce." Some of the events included a cultural baking contest: entertainment and dance featuring cultural representation from India and the Empire of Mali. Chief Walt "red Hawk" Brown, of the Cheroenhaka tribe was one of the guest speakers.

With the Unity Fair, VDOT has demonstrated that business as usual and cultural appreciation can co-exist; that a diverse workplace is a workplace of value.

The recipients of the 2008 Unity Awards received their awards at the 2008 Unity Awards Dinner Ceremony held at the Hampton History Museum on May 8.

Past recipients of the Unity Awards include R.O.P.E. Theater Company, Inc., Suwabi African Ballet, The Daily Press "Teen Forums", Barnes and Nobles Booksellers and the Intertribal Women's Circle, to name a few.