Philadelphia Recognizes Leaders for Multicultural Contributions

Several of the 500 attendees received individual recognition for their contributions to Philadelphia’s various sectors.
Philadelphia Recognizes Leaders for Multicultural Contributions
Philadelphia Museum of Art's Cheryl McClenney-Brooker (front seated), wins honor of Share the Heritage Award. Philadelphia City councilwoman Brown (third from left in foreground), Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress's executive director Tanya E. H (Lily Sun)
11/3/2009
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/910300925212088.jpg" alt="Philadelphia Museum of Art's Cheryl McClenney-Brooker (front seated), wins honor of Share the Heritage Award. Philadelphia City councilwoman Brown (third from left in foreground), Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress's executive director Tanya E. H (Lily Sun)" title="Philadelphia Museum of Art's Cheryl McClenney-Brooker (front seated), wins honor of Share the Heritage Award. Philadelphia City councilwoman Brown (third from left in foreground), Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress's executive director Tanya E. H (Lily Sun)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1825429"/></a>
Philadelphia Museum of Art's Cheryl McClenney-Brooker (front seated), wins honor of Share the Heritage Award. Philadelphia City councilwoman Brown (third from left in foreground), Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress's executive director Tanya E. H (Lily Sun)
PHILADELPHIA—Awards were accepted at the fifteenth Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress luncheon Oct. 29. The luncheon was a celebration of people who have helped shape Philadelphia into a multicultural destination for tourism, meetings, and conventions.

Several of the 500 attendees received individual recognition for their contributions to Philadelphia’s business, tourism, hospitality, and community sectors.

Cheryl McClenney-Brooker, the Museum of Art’s director of external affairs received the Share the Heritage Award. A documentary of her work over the past 40 years was shown, and it visibly moved many attendees at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

John J. Kroll, president of the Keating Group received the Industry Appreciation Award, while Willie F. Johnson, founder and chairman of PRWT Services, Inc. received the Pioneer Award.

The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO, Varsovia Fernandez, received the Community Impact Award.

Pennsylvania governor Edward G. Rendell received the Outstanding Recognition Award.

Multicultural Affairs Congress’ (MAC) executive director Tanya E. Hall said this year’s theme, “Celebrating Philadelphia’s Tapestry of Leaders,” showcased Philadelphia’s strength as a multicultural destination.

“Furthering our efforts to increase the City’s ability to attract and retain multicultural meetings and conventions,” she said. “It is with great enthusiasm that our 15th Annual Recognition Luncheon coincides with our 2009 banner year of hosting more than 25,000 attendees at the nationally recognized Global Fusion Festival.”

Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter attended the luncheon to acknowledge MAC’s contribution to Philadelphia’s tourism development and multicultural enrichment.

The American Bus Association (ABA) announced its selection of the Philadelphia Global Fusion Festival as one of the Top 100 Events in North America in 2010. The ABA culled Philadelphia’s Global Fusion Festival from thousands of American and Canadian events.

MAC is a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Founded in 1987, MAC was originally called the Minority Advisory Council and helped Philadelphia tap the estimated $30 billion market for African-American conventions and tourism nationwide.

By 1990, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Travel and Tourism Administration named Philadelphia as the top city for minority tourism. Philadelphia is now also among the top 10 cities for Hispanic travelers.