Alvin Sykes, a human rights activist in Kansas City, Kansas, will receive the 2019 Peace Builder Award on Saturday, Jan. 26, from the Global and Multicultural Education organization.
The award is for Sykes’ lifelong efforts in peace building.
“I’m very pleased and humbled to be recognized for what I have done over the years in Kansas City and throughout the nation,” Sykes said.
The award recognizes Sykes’ wide range of activities in law, politics and education, and his commitment to a more just and equitable society.
Sykes has been the driving force behind the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Reauthorization Act of 2016. He also has been involved in other human rights and social justice campaigns, including human rights legislation in the Kansas Legislature.
He also was the Scholar-in-Residence in 2013 at the Kansas City (Missouri) Public Library.
Sykes said he plans to keep on making contributions to the human rights field in the future.
“Ultimately, by achieving absolute happiness, that leads to world peace,” Sykes said. “I’m one of those that dared to believe world peace is possible, even in the midst of all the chaos we’re currently in.”
G.A.M.E. is a nonprofit organization in Kansas City, Missouri, promoting peace and understanding, and educating for diversity, human rights, the environment and peace.
The organization was co-founded by Manouchehr (Manny) Pedram, Ph.D., in 1982
The awards luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at the Grand Street Café, 4740 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Missouri.
The Peace Builder Award also will be presented to Cultural Crossroads Inc. , an organization in Kansas City, Missouri.
The guest speaker at Saturday’s luncheon will be Dr. Yolanda Huet-Vaughn, who practices family medicine in Kansas City, Kansas, and has been involved with Physicians for Social Responsibility, a nonprofit organization that works for peace.