American Conference on Diversity Hudson County Chapter Honors Outstanding Social-Justice Leaders

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - April 16, 2013 - PRLog -- The American Conference on Diversity Hudson County chapter is pleased to announce the 2013 Humanitarian Awards, honoring three diverse community leaders who will be recognized at our Annual Humanitarian Awards Luncheon May 2 in Jersey City, NJ. This year’s awards luncheon also marks our organization’s 65th anniversary of valuing diversity and promoting respect in communities, schools, and workplaces throughout New Jersey.  

“This is a milestone year for the American Conference on Diversity. The Hudson County Chapter has been an important part of our 65-year history and it is an honor to be able to recognize such outstanding Hudson County humanitarians,” says American Conference on Diversity President and CEO Elizabeth Williams-Riley.

To join in our yearlong celebration, Hudson County high-school students have been invited to participate in the chapter’s annual art contest by visually depicting their Defining Moments in Diversity. Not only will attendees be able to view the artwork of local students on display and honor their peers at this recognition event, but the proceeds of the luncheon will help the American Conference on Diversity continue to provide youth and community programs that further our mission and vision throughout the state.

Cost: Individual tickets are $75; sponsorships and program journal ads are also available. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Linda@AmericanConferenceOnDiversity.org or visit http://2013HudsonAwardsLuncheon.kintera.org.

Where: Puccini’s Restaurant, 1064 West Side Ave., Jersey City, NJ

When: May 2 at 12:00 noon

To register: Go to http://2013HudsonAwardsLuncheon.kintera.org or call 732-745-9330. The deadline to register is April 30.

The 2013 Hudson County chapter Humanitarian Award honorees are:

►Vijay P. Gupta, Founder of Diamond Hut Jewelers Vijay Gupta, who immigrated to the United States from India in 1971 and settled in Jersey City, has been an active community leader for more than four decades. He was a non-attorney member of the Supreme Court of New Jersey District Ethics Committee for Hudson County and past chair of the Jersey City Human Rights Commission, on which he still serves. He is currently Secretary of the Jersey City Economic Development Corp., which promotes and encourages the economic development of Jersey City and creates employment opportunities. Vijay Gupta founded Diamond Hut Jewelers in 1975, Hudson County’s largest fine jeweler, and has been the recipient of numerous business and jewelry industry awards, including the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce Gateway Award, which recognizes Diamond Hut’s sizable contribution to Hudson County commerce.

►Jonathan Luk, AICP, GISP, Liberty State Park Deputy Superintendent Jonathan Luk has worked in the nonprofit and public sector for nearly a decade. He served with the Hudson County Division of Planning, helping with the Hudson County Open Space Grant Program and assisting municipalities, nonprofits, and communities in their efforts to protect open space, enhance public parks, and restore historic resources. A certified planner with the American Planning Association, Jonathan Luk joined the Liberty State Park staff in 2012. The Park is enjoyed daily by Hudson County’s diverse population and includes the historic CRRNJ Terminal where, from 1892 to 1954, new immigrants boarded trains that took them to their new homes throughout the United States. Liberty State Park has also been the long-time venue for the American Conference on Diversity annual Diversity Stride fundraising walk-a-thon to be held this year on May 19. (For more information about Diversity Stride, visit http://2013diversitystride.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1005876.)

►Dr. Frances O. Bowen-Thompson, Director, Hudson County Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise (OMWBE) Dr. Frances Bowen-Thompson has served as the county’s OMWBE director in Jersey City since 1993. The OMWBE plays a significant role in creating opportunities for small, minority-, and women-owned businesses in public procurement on major projects that result in millions of dollars awarded to help them succeed. Dr. Frances Bowen-Thompson is also the first African-American woman elected to a Hudson County municipal post. In 1985, she was elected to serve on the Jersey City municipal council, a post she held until 1989. In addition, Dr. Frances Bowen-Thompson served as School Board Member and Chairperson of the Affirmative Action Committee for the Jersey City Public School District until 2011. Widely recognized in New Jersey for her leadership in diversity and education and for her work with the community, Dr. Frances Bowen-Thompson currently sits on the Board of Trustees for the University of Phoenix’s Jersey City Campus, Team Management 2000, and the Jersey City Educational Arts Team.

To help spread the word about our Hudson County Chapter Humanitarian Awards luncheon via social media, please use the hashtag #HudsonHumanitarian13.

Special thanks to Chapter Chair Konstantin Yusipov, The Provident Bank, and Luncheon Chair Stuart Z. Koperweis, Economic Development/Revitalization - Hudson County Planning, for helping to orchestrate this exciting event.

About the American Conference on Diversity

The programs, services, and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclusive society. It is the unfinished business of living in a highly diverse nation: educating and empowering our next generation of leaders; enhancing our workplaces; and helping to create inclusive communities. The American Conference on Diversity, which has been serving schools, organizations, workplaces, and communities in New Jersey since 1948, builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates eight chapters to help us to educate and empower leaders and bring our messages of inclusion and respect to communities throughout New Jersey: Atlantic County Chapter, Bayonne Chapter, Central Jersey Chapter, Essex County Chapter, Greater Bergen Chapter, Hudson County Chapter, Jersey Shore Chapter, and Mercer County Chapter. Visit www.AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org to learn more.

Contact:
Gail Zoppo
Media Relations Consultant
109 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
gail@AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org
732-745-9330