Community Leadership Awards

By Jennifer Arriaga 

The Community Leadership Awards, held November 17, 2014 at the Mexican American Culture Center, was a part of series of events hosted by DDCE in honor of organizations and individuals for their service to the greater Austin area.

Community Partnership Awards were presented to the Community Advancement Network (CAN) for their extensive work towards enriching the social, health, educational, economic wellbeing of the Austin and Travis County, and the Hispanic Alliance for the Performing Arts for their work to empower Austin’s historically underserved youth, particularly its Hispanic population, to participate in the performing arts today and for generations to come.

The Community Leadership Circle Award was presented to Rosie Mendoza for her illustrious board service to a number of importance causes in the Austin community. The Joe R. Long and Teresa Lozano Long Legacy Award was presented to Jesus Garza for his longstanding record of service, and the leadership he has provided to the Austin community. Special recognition was also given to Vincent Torres for his distinctive career with the Austin Independent School District and UT’s Center for Energy and Environmental Resources.

The Community Leadership Awards is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of these remarkable community leaders. Through their leadership and dedication, these leaders and organizations have transformed and continue to transform Austin.

Left: Vanessa Sarría, executive director of the Community Advancement Network (CAN), accepts the Community Partnership Award. Right: Rosie Mendoza, Community Leadership Circle Award honoree; Vincent Torres, Special Recognition honoree; Jesús Garza, Joe R. and Teresa Long Legacy Award honoree, and Monica Peraza, Community Partnership Award for Hispanic Alliance

The second installment of the Community Leadership Awards was held on December 11, 2014 at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center in East Austin. At the event, Community Partnership Awards were presented to the Austin Chapter of The Links, Incorporated President and Judge Brenda Kennedy and to the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Natalie Madeira Cofield.

The Austin Chapter of The Links has been primarily working to enrich, sustain and ensure the identities, culture and economic survival of African-Americans and persons of African descent. They have done so by working in five programming areas: National Trends and Services, the Arts, Services to Youth, International Trends, and Health and Human Services. The Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce has placed their focus on promoting the development of African-American businesses and the expansion of the Greater Austin business community. Also honored that night were William “Teddy” McDaniel, president and CEO of the Austin Area Urban League. He was the recipient of the Dr. James L. Hill Leadership Circle Award. He was recognized for being such an influential leader and community service advocate. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Austin Revitalization Authority, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and UT’s DDCE Austin Community Advisory Council.

The final award of the night was the Dr. June Brewer Legacy Award and it was presented to Dr. Larry L. Earvin, president of Hustson-Tillotson University. Dr. Earvin implemented accelerated programs in criminal justice and business administration for working students currently enrolled in the university. During his tenure, science laboratories were upgraded and residence halls were renovated.

Teddie McDaniel III, CEO of the Austin Area Urban League, and Dr. Larry Earvin, president of Huston-Tillotson University, celebrate their awards with fellow members of the Gamma Gamma Boulé, including Dr. Gregory J. Vincent (far right) and Rev. Freddie Dixon (far left), who is a member of the DDCE team.