Human Relations Commission Names Four Winners of Annual Awards

A student who mentors others, a group of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders, the founder of a Raleigh ministry and an organization that sponsors special events for seniors have been named recipients of the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission’s annual awards.

The winners of the Human Relations Awards were honored Feb. 9 at the Human Relations Commission’s 23rd Annual Awards Banquet at the McKimmon Center. The commission selected the award-winners for their contributions to positive human relations in the Raleigh.

Receiving the annual awards were:

• Desirr’ee Dunn, a student at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences. She tutors other young people and is starting her own mentoring program called Youth Against the Odds. She also volunteers at hospitals, child-care facilities, her church and other organizations;
• Raleigh Harley Owners Group, a motorcycle-riding club celebrating its 25th anniversary. Over the past five years, the organization has donated more than $144,000 to community organizations serving children, veterans and others in need. The Raleigh Harley Owners Group, which has 457 members, also supports food drives and collects hygiene items for soldiers deployed in the Middle East;
• Dr. Frank Summerfield, founder and pastor of Word of God Fellowship, a ministry that includes a day-care center and Christian academy. Dr. Summerfield is a former assistant professor of health and physical therapy at Shaw University and former superintendent of recreation for the City of Raleigh; and,
• Angels in Aprons, an organization started in 2007 by Executive Director Stephanie Young. Angels in Aprons holds church services and holiday programs for underserved seniors and residents of nursing homes. The organization’s goal is to enrich the lives of seniors and to demonstrate that those in every season of life deserve respect.

The City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission sponsors the annual awards as part of its effort to promote activities that enhance human dignity, equal opportunity, mutual respect and harmony among Raleigh residents. Commission members are volunteers who are appointed by the City Council.

The City of Raleigh Community Services Department helps coordinate the work of the Human Relations Commission.