Two city of Phoenix employees were honored at the 2006 Maricopa County Branch NAACP Freedom Fund “Conscience of a Nation” dinner held recently in Phoenix.

Carole Coles Henry, interim deputy city manager, and Detective Earliest Nelson, Phoenix Police Department, were honored for their positive achievements toward human and civil rights in the community and creating a path for others to follow in the areas of legal issues, community service, education and civil rights.

Coles Henry was awarded the Civil Rights award for her strong advocacy for youth. She began her career with the city more than 25 years ago as the first director of the South Phoenix Youth Center with the Parks and Recreation Department. Since then, she has served as citywide youth programs administrator and equal opportunity director. Coles Henry was appointed by Gov. Janet Napolitano to the Arizona Equity Analysis in State Contracting Committee; she was a two-term president of the Central Arizona Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators 2001-2003; and currently is a member of the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Minorities and the Arizona Attorney General’s African-American Advisory Council.

Nelson received the Community Service award for his dedication to serving the city. A member of the Police Department since 1973, Nelson has worked at South Mountain High School as a liaison to the security department and currently is assigned as the African-American community liaison. As a long-time resident of south Phoenix, he has spent more than 33 years working to make the community a better place.

Other award recipients included Charles R. Campbell, majority owner of the Arizona Informant, the Roy Wilkins Award; Lanette Campbell, community outreach specialist of the Care 1st Health Plan, the President’s Award; and Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, an assistant professor of U.S. History, African and American studies at Arizona State University, the Education Award. Also honored were Bishop Alexis A. Thomas, bishop of the state of Arizona Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, the Religion Award; Virgil J. Berry Jr., real estate broker, the Business Award; and Holly Marshall, project director of the Legal Advocacy and Information Project for Save the Family Foundation of Arizona, the Legal Award.

For more information, call 602-252-4064 or visit www.maricopanaacp.com.