Gerald Mitchell and James Mumford Honored at Third Annual Black History Month Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2008

For more information:
Beverly Calender-Anderson, Safe and Civil City Program Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3560

Bloomington, IN -- Gerald Lee Mitchell, Jr. and Dr. James E. Mumford were honored recently at the Third Annual City of Bloomington Black History Month Gala. More than 125 people attended the February 23 event at the Bloomington Convention Center. The gala was the closing celebration of events hosted by the City of Bloomington to commemorate Black History Month.

"The Black History Month Gala was the perfect event to conclude Black History Month with a splash," Mayor Mark Kruzan said. "It's important to honor the people who make Bloomington the wonderful place it is."

Mitchell received the 2008 City of Bloomington Outstanding Young Black Male Leader of Tomorrow Award, an annual award presented by the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males.

Mitchell has lived in Bloomington since beginning his undergraduate studies at Indiana University in 2000. After receiving his Master's degree, Mitchell accepted a position as Director of Student Support and Development for Ivy Tech Community College. He is also a member of the current Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County class. Mitchell's nominator says he is "a motivator, an idealist and a person possessed of a relentless tenacity." His volunteer activities include positions on the Commission on the Status of Black Males, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Indiana University Men of Color Conference.

IU Professor Emeritus Dr. James Mumford was the inaugural recipient of the Black History Month Trailblazer Award. The Trailblazer Award was created by the City of Bloomington Black History Month Committee to honor individuals who are especially meaningful to many African Americans in Bloomington.

"Strides made by Dr. Mumford and others like him have opened doors that have created opportunities for so many that have come after them," Safe and Civil City Director Beverly Calender-Anderson said. "This is one way of saying thank you."

Dr. Mumford served as Director of the African American Chorale Ensemble from 1983-2006. He received his Ph.D. from the Indiana University School of Music in 1974 with a major in music education and a minor in voice and ethnomusicology. Mumford is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Equity Union for Theatre, Black Music Caucus, Phi Delta Kappa, Indiana Music Education, the Association Society for Ethnomusicology, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, and the Music Teachers National Association.

In addition to the City of Bloomington, the Black History Month Gala was sponsored by Indiana University Office of the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Sheer Elegance Draperies, Blinds and More, LLC, Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington Hospital Positive Link, Beverly Calender-Anderson, Wainona O. Collins, Donald, Nicole and Dexter Griffin, Alphonso and Dollie Manns, Dedric Dennist and Sharlene Newman, and Laffoon Design & Marketing.

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