Unity Commission's awards highlight some of Hampton's best and brightest

Sunday, 30 May 2010 00:00

The Hampton Citizens' Unity Commission honored some of the city's and region's leading champions of diversity at its recent 10th anniversary awards ceremony, after receiving a record number of nominations from the public.

The annual event was created to show support for people and organizations that promote an appreciation of diversity in Hampton as well as to raise public awareness of the positive work being done in the community, said John  L. Johnson, executive director of the Citizens' Unity Commission.

Each year, the commission seeks nominations of individuals, organizations, schools, businesses and initiatives.

The May 13 ceremony, held at The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, drew about 50 people including Mayor Molly Joseph Ward.

The honorees were:

~ Gaylene Kanoyton, president of Hampton Watch and a civic advocate, who was nominated by Police Chief Charles R. Jordan Jr.

Among her other activities, Jordan noted that Kanoyton was instrumental in spearheading a recent “Hope for Haiti Now” fundraising telethon for the earthquake victims as well as the March 27 Gang Prevention & Family Wellness Resource Fair at First Baptist Church of Hampton.

Jordan wrote that Kanoyton “has a higher calling … truly believes that people can unite to make a difference … (and) never hesitates to take on a challenge and is always seeking to do more to unify and strengthen our communities.”

~ Alvin J. Schexnider, president of Thomas Nelson Community College, who was nominated by Deborah Wright on behalf of the TNCC Cabinet.

Schexnider, who holds a doctorate in political science and is a board member of the Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement, was cited by Wright for “shaping an environment (at Thomas Nelson) that will enhance cultural understanding and diversity for 1,000 faculty and staff … and some 15,000 diverse students.”

Wright noted that Schexnider's accomplishments at Thomas Nelson have included creating the TNCC Commission on Civility, Ethics and Professional Conduct, launching a Presidential Leadership Institute, hosting roundtable and brown-bag lunches with diverse cross sections of the college community, inspiring the establishment of a six-week Institute for Diversity and Inclusion and expanding Martin Luther King Week from one event to a series.

~ Rev. Richard Wills Sr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Hampton, who was nominated by Police Chief Charles R. Jordan Jr.

Jordan noted that the pastor's achievements have included hosted many community forums on a variety of issues, such as the March 27 Gang Prevention & Family Wellness Resource Fair that brought together the Hampton Police Division, the Partnership on Youth Violence Prevention and several other faith-based and civic anti-violence organizations.

Willis, Jordan wrote, “has taken his works and teachings out into Hampton's communities to help better serve the people. But, his teachings don't just span from his pastoral experiences, his calling reaches out to unify and bridge the gap between egalitarianism and everyday prejudices... He wants to reach out to the community to break down those barriers... He puts his heart and soul into serving his community both spiritually and through his civic participation.”

~ Institute for Diversity & Inclusion at Thomas Nelson Community College, nominated by Anne Andrews, is “a six-week, interactive course on diversity education concentrating on diversity in the contemporary workplace and community.”

The institute's topics have included the basics of diversity and inclusion, work-style preferences, generational diversity, gender issues, race and culture, spirituality and disability.

~ “Another View,” a 30-minute weekly public television program on WHRO, was nominated by Bobbie Fisher, WHRO's chief communication officer.

“The mission of the program,” Fisher wrote, is “to address issues specific to the vibrant African American community of Hampton Roads – but important and of interest to everyone.”

Fisher noted that “Another View,” hosted by Barbara Hamm Lee and produced by Lisa Godley, is a “weekly, magazine-type broadcast with studio interviews and stories produced in the field, covering a variety of topics, including serious discussion of significant issues facing the community, a field produced segment on something positive in the community, and a variety of lifestyle tips to improve one's health, wealth and well-being.”

“Another View,” Fisher added, “has straightforwardly tackled very difficult issues around racism and discrimination, in all forms.”

The show is regional but it's connections with Hampton include interviews with experts from Hampton University.

The guest speaker at the Unity Award Ceremony was Wil LaVeist, director of community outreach and development for the Urban League of Hampton Roads and a columnist for the New Journal & Guide weekly newspaper.

In his May 20-26 column, LaVeist wrote that the Unity nominees “exemplify the type of character and courage that is necessary to promote diversity.”

“For me, the highlight of the evening happened after I took my seat in the audience,” LaVeist continued. “I was struck by how deeply appreciative and humbled each honoree was when receiving their award.

“Some even shed tears as they thanked their spouses, family members and colleagues who had been supportive.”

Johnson, the Citizens' Unity Commission's executive director, also observed a special mood among the honorees and the audience. “There was a very distinct energy and spirit in the room,” he said. “That could be a sign of times, where everybody is looking for ready partners to launch new programs and do as much as they can with reduced resources. I think that's a factor.”

Johnson also said there was a trend in this year's nominations. “What I was struck with – and we didn't know this going in – was that there was some level of connection among all the winners this year,” he said. “As some of us walked away from the ceremony, we thought, 'Wow! That's a good sign. Our community is fairly well connected...  and that's a healthy thing. This year's program made us more conscious of that than ever before.”

There were about a dozen nominations this year, Johnson said. A commission committee selected the honorees.

Johnson already is thinking about getting even more nominations for 2011. “People should start thinking and looking around the community for people and organizations that deserving of recognition next year,” he said.

To learn more about the mission and work of the Citizens' Unity Commission, call (757) 728-3279, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.hampton.gov/unity.