Fargo Human Rights Commission

2017 MLK Award Recipients

Individual Award - Darci Asche

Darci Asche is the director of development at the New American Consortium for Wellness and Empowerment Center (WE Center). She started assisting refugees in her hometown after the Vietnam War. She has worked passionately with refugees most of her life in both volunteer and professional positions, including 20 years with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota (LSSND). She joined the WE Center to be a resource to refugees when they leave LSSND. The WE Center provides New Americans a space for their ethnic communities to gather and enjoy fellowship

Individual Award - Hukun Abdullahi

Hukun Abdullahi is the director of the Afro American Development Association, a non-profit founded on the spirit of charity and community empowerment. The organization was established in the year 2014 by a group of concerned developmentoriented students to respond to human suffering among marginalized and New American communiteis in the states of Minnesota and North Dakota. Hukun is actively involved in making a difference in the lives of hundreds of New Americans who have resettled in Fargo and Moorhead. He actively engages in activities that promote diversity, acceptance, and solidarity. He collaborates tirelessly with other organizations to ensure New Americans’ access to human rights and dignity.

Business / Nonprofit Organization - Matthew's Voice Project (MVP)

Matthew’s Voice Project (MVP) is an effort to assist students in our public schools who are identified as experiencing homelessness. Much of MVP’s focus is on unaccompanied youth (no parents or guardians in their lives), providing them with the support and encouragement they need to complete high school. Their continued goal is to assist homeless students with more pressing day-to-day needs such as housing; quality shoes to last; clothin needs to include dress clothes for work; winter/snow gear; cell phones and pre-paid minutes; technology needs such as jump drives to store homework on; YMCA memberships; gas cards and taxi fares for transportation to their jobs.