Phillip Rush Community Builder Award: Lloyd Russell Foundation
Under the direction of Pamm Burdett, the Lloyd Russell Foundation has been a significant supporter of the Phillip Rush Center (Atlanta’s emerging LGBT community center, a cooperative effort between Georgia Equality and The Health Initiative). Without the support of the Lloyd Russell Foundation, the Rush Center would not have been able to grow as quickly as it has. However, the foundation and its director are more than just funders. Their concern with creating safe spaces and remembering the needs of often overlooked or marginalized members of our community epitomizes what it means to be a community builder.
Champion for Equality Award: Dazon Dixon Diallo
Dazon Dixon Diallo is the founder and Executive Director of SisterLove, an organization that has been providing innovative services in support of women’s education, empowerment, wellness, and rights since 1989. While her organization’s focus and mission is on women living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS, she is very aware of the intersections between HIV and the LGBT community and consistently goes above and beyond in making sure that all people affected by the epidemic are treated with dignity and respect. Throughout her decades of advocacy, she has proven herself to be a genuine champion for equality.
Allen Thornell Political Advancement Award: Anthony Michael Kreis
Anthony Michael Kreis is a doctoral student at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs, specializing in sexual orientation, public policy, social change, and the law. Since 2010, he’s worked with a national cohort of law faculty on religious liberty issues in proposed same-sex marriage legislation. He is also a political co-chair for the Human Rights Campaign’s Atlanta Steering Committee. This past legislative session, Anthony volunteered countless hours to lobbying on behalf of and building support for passage of the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act.
For more information, visit www.georgiaequality.org.