Washington (PRWEB) May 2, 2006 -- The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), an association of equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity and affirmative action professionals founded in 1974, recognized Julianne Malveaux, Gilbert Casellas, Ted Williams and Leon Russell at its 32nd Annual Conference "Pathway to Diversity," Tampa, Florida, April 26-29, 2006. "We are honored by the outstanding contributions of these distinguished individuals," said Dr. Robert Ethridge, President of AAAA. Malveaux and Casellas will also speak during the conference. The AAAA conference took place at the Hyatt Regency Tampa, April 26 - 29, 2006. The awards ceremony was held on Friday, April 28th.
Julianne Malveaux, Ph.D., is a true pioneer in the field of economics, focusing her research on the labor market, public policy, and the impact of policy on women and people of color. She is president and CEO of Last Word Productions, her own multimedia production company. Malveaux co-edited the book, Slipping Through the Cracks: The Status of Black Women (1986), and is the author of a two collections of columns: Sex, Lies and Stereotypes: Perspectives of a Mad Economist (1994) and Wall Street, Main Street and the Side Street: A Mad Economist Takes A Stroll (1999). Dr. Malveaux will receive AAAA´s first Arthur A. Fletcher Award for her dedication, advocacy and support for the principle of equal opportunity through affirmative action. The award is named for the "Father of Affirmative Action," who served as Assistant Secretary of Labor during the Nixon Administration and instituted the nation´s first program to require affirmative action goals in the construction industry. Arthur Fletcher passed away in 2005.
Gilbert F. Casellas practices law in the Washington, D.C. office of Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo, PC in its Corporate Diversity Risk Management Group advising national and international companies and institutions on diversity issues. During the Clinton Administration, Casellas served as Chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Since 2001, he has been a member of the Oversight Task Force that monitors the terms of the $192.5 million race discrimination class action settlement by the Coca-Cola Company. Casellas is a former President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and recipient of the "Spirit of Excellence" award from the American Bar Association. Casellas will receive AAAA´s Cesar Estrada Chavez Award. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership in support of workers' rights and humanitarian issues.
Ted Williams, Ph.D., serves as Associate Vice President for the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, and Associate Dean for Diversity Initiatives, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida. Dr. Williams oversees the university´s affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity initiatives. He has played a prominent role in the increase of students of color in the college of medicine and has mentored many students to successful dissertations and completion of doctoral degrees. He also serves as Chairperson of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Student Affairs (GSA)-Minority Affairs Section (MAS). He has been a tireless leader on issues related to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education and has demonstrated a limitless capacity for professionalism, dedication to his academic discipline and career in higher education while simultaneously being an advocate for increasing equity and access for people of color in higher education as well as in the field of healthcare. Dr. Williams will receive AAAA´s Rosa Parks Award. The award recognizes an individual who serves as a role model and leader for others through his or her personal achievements, excellence in a chosen field, commitment to human, civil rights and social issues and contributions to the betterment of society.
Leon W. Russell will receive AAAA´s Community Service Award. The Community Service Award is presented to an individual or organization demonstrating outstanding community service. Mr. Russell serves as the Human Rights/EEO Officer for Pinellas County Government, Clearwater, Florida. In this position Mr. Russell is responsible for implementing the county's Affirmative Action and Human Rights Ordinances. Mr. Russell served as the President of the Florida State Conference of Branches of the NAACP from January 1996 until January 2000, after serving for fifteen years as the First Vice President. He is also a member of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP. In April of 1999, Mr. Russell became the Chairman of Floridians Representing Equity and Equality. FREE was established as a statewide coalition to oppose the Florida Civil Rights Initiative, an anti-Affirmative Action proposal authored by Ward Connerly. Ultimately, the initiative failed to get on the Florida Ballot because of the strong legal challenge spearheaded by FREE.
The AAAA conference features outstanding diversity and civil rights specialists and offers training on initiatives to bridge the opportunity gaps in the American workplace. For more information, go to www.affirmativeaction.org.
Press Contact: Shirley Wilcher
Company Name: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
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Phone: 240-893-9475
Website: www.affirmativeaction.org
More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb379725.htm