ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

12-22-08 Release: Diversity Champions to be honored at MLK Jr. Dinner Jan. 9

  Dec. 22, 2008

  Contact: Dr. Velicia McMillan, Community Celebrating Diversity (CCD),
  (480) 312-7252

  Diversity Champions to be honored at Scottsdale’s 
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Community Celebrating Diversity will recognize an advocate for African-American women’s health and an educator with a passion for Chinese culture as 2009 Diversity Champions at the 15^th annual Scottsdale Community Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner Celebration on Jan. 9.

Tina Brown, left, and Lin Ling Lee

Tina Brown, the founder of Sistas of AZ, and Lin Ling Lee, principal of CEFC Chinese School, will be honored at the event. It begins at 6 p.m. at the Chaparral Suites ballroom, 5100 N. Scottsdale Road.

Susan L. Taylor, editor emerita of Essence Magazine and founder of the National Cares Mentoring Movement, will be the keynote speaker.

Brown founded the non-profit Sistas of AZ in 2002 and serves as its president. The group is the first in Arizona that brings businesses and community together to empower and educate the African-American community regarding health care choices and issues. She is currently employed with Assured Imaging Women's Wellness as an account advocate. Brown has led outreach and marketing efforts for Planned Parenthood of Arizona with a focus on the African-American community. She has volunteered in a wide range of community organizations, including board memberships for Scottsdale Leadership and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Phoenix Affiliate.

Lee has been principal of CEFC Chinese School for 15 years and has also served during the past two years as principal of the Arizona Chinese Mandarin & Culture Academy. She has been involved in educational and cultural outreach around the Valley. She is the president of Phoenix Chinese Week and an advisor to the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission of the Republic of China.

She has made presentations on Chinese culture at many Scottsdale-area schools, including Sequoya, Tesseract and Montessori schools, Desert View Learning Centers, the Palomino and Mustang libraries, and Boys and Girls Clubs. The presentations include hands-on experiences with Chinese calligraphy, folk arts and crafts and games.

For more information on the celebration and event reservations, contact the city of Scottsdale’s Office of Diversity & Dialogue at (480) 312-3030, or go to www.ccdarizona.org.