CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 Diversity Awards WINNERS:

Emerging Leader: Malak El-Taleb

Lifetime Achiever: Fey Fey (“Ferdinand”) Moussou

Welcoming Organization: Friends of the Third World & Fort Wayne Sport Club

Amani Family Services is the host of Welcoming Fort Wayne - an initiative that belongs to #Welcoming America. On October 22, 2021, Amani was pleased to hot the 2021 Diversity Awards, to celebrate the achievements of exceptional immigrants and refugees, native community individuals, organizations and companies that have demonstrated a strong commitment to multiculturalism, and others who have shown dedication to creating a welcoming Fort Wayne community.

The 2021 event was the third year for the Diversity Awards, which started in 2018, continued in 2019 and were paused in 2020 due to the pandemic. This year the event took place on Friday, October 22, 2021 at Ivy Tech North Campus, Room 1640, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Doors opened at 8:30 a.m. and program begins at 9 a.m. A light breakfast was served. Attendance was FREE but registration was required Awards were given in three categories:

Welcoming Organization: Recognizes an organization which has made an outstanding contribution to welcome and engage immigrants and the international community into the greater Fort Wayne area.

Lifetime Achiever: Honors an individual who has made significant, innovative and cumulative outstanding contributions to enhancing the practice of multiculturalism, devoting a major portion of their professional career or time to the cause.

Emerging Leader: Honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment to improving the lives of immigrant / refugee families in their community.

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is the title sponsor for the 2021 Diversity Awards. 

Committee members representing the following partner organizations are helping to organize the awards: St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, Wellspring, Purdue Fort Wayne, Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, Parkview Health, the Multicultural Council of Fort Wayne, Language Services Network, Friends of the Third World, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen County Schools, the City of Fort Wayne, and Associated Churches.

2019 Diversity Award Winners

Ahmed Abdelmageed, Social Justice Award

George Rongos of George's International, Diverse Employer of the Year Award 

Samuel Melo, Entrepreneur of Excellence Award

Ana Guisti, Lifetime Achiever Award

Aaron Robles, Storyteller Award

Farah Combs, Positive Role Model Award

Yvonne Johnson, Emerging Leader Award 

Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, Community Organization Award

2018 Diversity Award Winners

Pong Simon, Positive Role Model Award

The International House, Community Organization Award

Fernando Zapari, Entrepreneur of Excellence Award

Josefina Cervantes, Lifetime Achiever Award

Sam Jarjour, Social Justice Award

Rabia Ibrahim, Youth Leader Award 

Alice Jordan-Miels, Positive Role Model Award

Gloria Whitcraft of Catholic Charities, Diverse Employer of the Year Award