Fargo Human Rights Commission

2009 MLK Award Recipients

Individual Award - Michele McRae

Michele McRae is being given the Human Relations Award for her tireless work lead-ing the Giving + Learning program in connecting Fargo’s growing refugee population with local residents willing to serve as tutors. Launched in 2001, the program has grown from three volunteers teaching English to over 500 mentors giving an hour each week to assist 600 newcomers with language skills, filling out job applications, earning driver’s licenses, finding elder or child care, or simply shopping for groceries. Michele has pro-vided connections to over 400 resource agencies to provide additional services to New Americans.

Business / Nonprofit Organization - Carl Ben Eielson Student Leadership

Carl Ben Eielson Student Leadership is being awarded the Human Relations Award for youth and young adults for their work to foster good will and inclusion within the community and to welcome, embrace and care for their classmates and neighbors through a number of community projects. Advised by Alicia Collins and Beth Ekre, this group of 118 6th, 7th and 8th graders have accomplished a number of service projects including the “Miles of Smiles” fund drive, which raised nearly $10,000 benefiting victims of a Fargo house explosion. Through their actions, they have helped move our community forward, and in the words of their nominators, helped to “make this the best place on the planet to be a kid.”

Business / Nonprofit Organization - Peace Talk Radio

Peace Talk Radio, aired live on Saturday mornings at 9AM on 96.3 KNDS-FM, is being awarded the Human Relations Award for their efforts to inspire critical thinking about our world’s problems and the inherent value of peaceful solutions. The program is hosted by Paul Dyer, Lew Lubka, and Paddy McLaughlin. Dyer is a former Special Forces Ranger of 12 years having served in a number of locations around the world. Lubka is well known in the community for his peace activism, and has worked with the ND Peace Coalition, FM Lighthouse and the ND Human Rights Coalition. McLaughlin is a licensed HeartMath provider, minister, 15 year veteran energy worker and peace activist currently with the Center for Peace in Fargo.