National League of Cities (NLC) today recognized seven cities for implementing programs that enhance and promote cultural diversity in their communities at the “Celebrate Diversity Breakfast” during NLC’s Congressional City Conference in Washington.
The National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) City Cultural Diversity Awards recognize municipal programs that encourage citizen involvement and honor cities that develop creative and effective programs designed to improve and promote cultural diversity through a collaborative process with city officials, community leaders and residents. Cities honored for 2015 are: Bellevue, Wash.; Gainesville, Fla.; Cupertino, Calif.; Beaverton, Ore.; Petersburg, Va.; District Heights, Md.; Town of Pembroke Park, Fla.
Petersburg (population category 25,001-100,000) was recognized for being home to the three-day International Film Festival, October 15-17, 2014, which featured a diverse array of films, panel discussions with prominent actors, workshops, musical events, food, product and equipment presentations at a variety of venues throughout the city and at New Millennium Studios. Screenings included a complement of 30 short and feature length films from a select group of directors and producers from over 10 countries to serve as a vehicle for opening dialogue on issues and ideas that build community, cultural awareness and appreciation.
The City Cultural Diversity Awards Program was established in 1995 the National Black Caucus of Local Elected officials (NBC-LEO) to promote cultural diversity in community governance through citizen and community participation. Winning cities are selected by guest judges representative of NLC’s five constituency groups and grouped according to population.
In addition to NBC-LEO, the annual Celebrate Diversity Breakfast is co-sponsored by four other National League of Cities’ (NLC) constituency groups: the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO); the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Local Officials (GLBTLO); the Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO); and Women in Municipal Government (WIMG).
Each city was recognized at the Celebrate Diversity Breakfast. Michelle Bernard, Political Analyst, MSNBC and Founder, The Bernard Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy addressed the attendees on diversity and women in politics.
For more information on the City Cultural Diversity Awards, visit NBC-LEO’s website at www.nlc.org/nbcleo. For more information on City services, news and information, please visit: www.PetersburgVA.gov.