Last night, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) Leadership received the Dr. Timuel D. Black Award at Public Narrative's Community Media Awards. The award honors an organization advancing social change and community engagement.
In his acceptance speech, Executive Director Michael N. Okińczyc-Cruz dedicated the award to coalition member Sister JoAnn Persch, who passed away last fall. He shared her words: "We must act peacefully, respectfully, but we never take 'no' for an answer."
Partnering with the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) on media engagement has shown me what it takes to build a movement. What it takes to never take no for an answer. What it takes to build a narrative in partnership with tenacious journalists. What it takes to succeed.
It is relentless work. It is also some of the most important work we can do.
Congratulations to Michael N. Okińczyc-Cruz, Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez, and our media team: Gordon Mayer and Yesenia Rivera. It's an honor and a privilege to do this work alongside you.
Thank you to Public Narrative, Jhmira Latrice Alexander, MPA, and Sylvia Ewing for giving our community a moment to celebrate and honor this essential work.
Congratulations to the other award winners- All are so well-deserved!
Ben Austen, Alma Campos, Gregory Royal Pratt, Jennifer Smith Richards, Laura R., Francia Garcia Hernandez, Denise Zaccardi, Block Club Chicago, Charles Preston, Injustice Watch, ProPublica, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Public Media.
