Fargo Human Rights Commission

2018 MLK Award Recipients

Individual Youth - Nastesho Ulow

Nastesho Ulow is a natural young leader of the FM community who stands up for what she believes in and takes initiative to make change. In order to address the feeling of isolation she found common amid she and her peers at school, she and two friends created the Minority Inclusion Association at West Fargo High School with the goal of educating and creating a more inclusive environment that values every student. She went on to speak for various other groups, including TedX, the Bush Foundation, and Women in Faith, with in hopes of helping our community to be less susceptible to hatred and racism.

Individual Adult - Hamida Dakane

Hamida Dakane has become an outspoken and compassionate voice for nondiscrimination, human rights, and collaborative community empowerment. She is a tireless advocate for marginalized peoples and new Americans through various capacities, including her work at Lutheran Social Services, the Afro-American Development Center, and beyond. In the face of her own and her family’s experiences with bigotry, she has chosen to actively participate in community events and discussions that promote intercultural understanding. She is a positive and energetic role model for many in the community and an overall “shining star” of the community, in the words of one nominator.

Business / Nonprofit Organization - Prairie St. Johns (PSJ)

Prairie St. Johns (PSJ) is a psychiatric hospital facility that’s mission is to offer hope and healing to individuals facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. It is has been a leader in continually improving its quality of care and its culturally sensitive programming. Whatever the need is, PSJ adapts in order to fulfill their responsibility to the community to provide excellent services. For over 20 years, it has served thousands of individuals and their families from Cass and Clay counties and beyond.