La Grange’s CommUNITY Diversity Group (CDG) is holding its 32nd Annual Race Unity Rally Sept. 10.
“The Importance of belonging” is the theme for this year’s event staged by the group that first formed in the aftermath of the Rodney King riots in 1992.
“The rally is an annual reminder to our community that we need to recognize and appreciate our diversity and work together to make our community a better place for everyone,” Marian Honel-Wilson, president of CDG, said in a statement.
The rally again will be held at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road, at 3 p.m., and feature not only community leaders and Lyons Township High School students, but will also recognize two community members.
Bessie Boyd will receive the Minnie Carr Service Award, named for the teacher and activist who was active in the middle of the last century. Michael Thomas will be honored with the Lifetime Diversity Achievement Award.
Also present will be the Caring Place Youth Choir, Village President Mark Kuchler, and recently-sworn in Police Chief Timothy Griffin.
The Village of La Grange Unity Proclamation will be read, as will several Youth Diversity Essays.
Other activities during this year’s Diversity Days will be the showing of the movie “Till” at the La Grange Library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave, at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8.
More information on CDG can be found at the group’s website, communitydiversity.org.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.