Contact:

Christiana Ferris Lionel D. Lyons

602-262-6169 602-262-6258

April 5, 2000

The city of Phoenix received the 2000 City Cultural Diversity Award from the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials and the National League of Cities at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference on March 12 in Washington, D.C. The award honors community leadership in developing creative and effective programs to promote cultural diversity. Phoenix won the award for cities with populations over 400,000.

"We are especially proud of this award because it highlights Phoenix's pride in its ethnically and culturally diverse community. Our image, locally and nationally, is enhanced when we are known as a community that values and celebrates its own rich diversity," said NBC-LEO and NLC board member and Phoenix City Councilmember Cody Williams, who was on hand for the award presentation.

Phoenix's entry spotlighted the Phoenix Human Relations Commission's "We're All On The Same Team" cultural diversity education program, which promotes positive exchange among diverse groups through cultural diversity training, public awareness and a media campaign. The HRC and citizen volunteers developed the program in 1997 to provide training and community outreach to increase diversity awareness in schools, businesses, community organizations and Phoenix city government. The city's Equal Opportunity Department coordinates the program with financial assistance from APS, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Suns, the American Jewish Committee, AT&T, Tosco Marketing Company, American Express, Honeywell and Norwest Bank.

According to HRC chair Kevin Mosley, "This recognition truly highlights the dedication of our community volunteers, corporate partners and the city of Phoenix to educate people about valuing and embracing our rich heritage and diversity. We are proud of the program and plan to do even bigger and better things in the future."

A presentation to the Phoenix City Council will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in Phoenix City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St. A reception to thank volunteers and sponsors will follow at 4 p.m. in the Calvin C. Goode Building lobby, 251 W. Washington St. For more details on the "We're All On The Same Team" program, call 602-261-8242 (voice) or 602-534-1557 (TDD).

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