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Community's Karen Ann Lloyd recognized by the Center for Leadership Development during Evening of Achievement

For release on March 29, 2012

On the evening of March 21, 2012, the Center for Leadership Development hosted a very exciting and important event for the Indianapolis business and civic community and for the entire city of Indianapolis: the 32nd Annual Minority Business and Professional Achievers Recognition Awards Dinner presented by Citizens Energy Group. The annual awards gala allows Central Indiana business, educational and community leaders to come together and recognize minority professionals who have demonstrated high achievement in life's work and in providing valuable service to the community. In addition, sponsorship support aids CLD in building an education culture and significantly expanding the pipeline of African American youth who are valuing an education, excelling academically, enrolling and graduating from high school and college and excelling in their chosen careers.

The annual Achievers Dinner gala, held in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center, allows Central Indiana business and community leaders to come together and recognize minority professionals who have demonstrated high achievement in life's work and in providing valuable service to our community. Many of the city and state's top business, civic, educational, and community leaders were present in support of these leaders which helps strengthen CLD's ongoing efforts to encourage and promote diversity and high achievement in our community.

The theme, Honoring EXCELLENCE…In Life's Work and Service to Community, honors and recognizes professionals, leaders, trailblazers, and other Central Indiana Achievers who have pursued Excellence – in life's work and in serving the community. Because of their notable achievements, employers are rewarded, other staff and citizens are so inspired to work hard and excel, and our entire community is greatly enriched.

Awards were presented to the following recipients:

Achievement in Business:
Karen Ann Lloyd, General Counsel and Vice President, Community Health Network Legal Services

Achievement in Education:

Dr. Nikki Woodson, Superintendent, Metropolitan School District of Washington Township

Achievement in Entrepreneurship:

Timothy Harris, Chief Executive Officer, President and Owner, Harris & Ford, LLC

Achievement in Financial Services:

Scenario Adebesin, Senior Vice President, Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana

Achievement in Professions:

Dr. Javier Sevilla- Martir, Physician- Family Medicine, IU Health Physicians

Achievement in Public Service:

Lloyd Crowe, Deputy Chief of Training, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and

The Honorable Denise LaRue, United States Magistrate Judge, Southern District of Indiana

Achievement in Science & Technical Disciplines:

Dr. Luis Escobar, Medical Director- Medical Genetics, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital

“Up and Coming” Award:

Jamal Smith, Governor’s Senior Advisor for Minority Affairs and Executive Director, Indiana Civil Rights Commission

The Neighborhood and Community Service Award was presented to Anthony Beverly, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Stop the Violence Indianapolis

Recognition for Human Achievement was awarded to Lakshmi Varanasi, Manager, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.

A Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Oscar Grundy, President, Owner, Funeral Director, Grundy Memorial Chapel, Inc.

Special recognition was given to the Chairman of the CLD Board of Directors, Dr. Robert L. Bowen by receiving the 6th Annual “S. Henry Bundles, Jr. Award for Service to the Center for Leadership Development”.  Bowen is Founder and Chairman of Bowen Engineering Corporation.

The two major awards were presented to a noted poet and writer, essayist and lecturer and a trailblazing pastor and community leader, the Mme. C. J. Walker Award, bestowed upon the outstanding female of the year was presented to Dr. Mari “Sister” Evans, Writer, Poet, Dramatist and the Accomplished Achievement Award was presented to T. Garrott Benjamin, Jr.,Senior Pastor and Resident Bishop of Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

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Lynda de Widt, Media Relations
Lynda de Widt
Media Relations