2016 Event

Diversity Honors Builds on Its Success

The second annual Diversity Honors, presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, May 13, 2016, recognized international and South Florida leaders who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness. This prominent event served as a kick off to Harvey Milk Day events across the nation.

More than $70,000 was raised for both organizations during this impressive evening of recognition with nearly 500 guests. Thanks to an array of generous sponsors, especially the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the majority of the gala’s expenses were underwritten.

Bollywood star and global human rights activist Celina Jaitly received the Harvey Milk Foundation’s Lilla Watson Global Champion Medal, and the annual Milk Foundation Milan Rosza Award recognized eight-year-old Ryland Whittington. Others who have made a significant impact on improving the quality of life for the LGBT community were also recognized: Peter Clark, publisher of Hotspots Media Group; Enbar Cohen, City of Aventura Commissioner; Mark Denker, M.D. of Palm Beach Fertility Center; Rae Franks, lawyer and LGBT advocate; Robert Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools and Judge David Young,

Attendees enjoyed a lively cocktail reception highlighted by the North American premiere of the Levi’s® X Harvey Milk Foundation Pride 2016 Collection, plus an interactive balloon pop and raffle. A special performance by Tony Award-winning actor/singer Levi Kreis made for an inspiring awards presentation hosted by WSVN-TV’s Omar Lewis.

Sponsors of Diversity Honors 2016 included Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as the presenting sponsor, Levi’s®, Mark Griffis, DMK, Goodman Public Relations, Stoli Vodka, Alpine Jaguar, Miami Foundation, Vitas Healthcare, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, JetBlue, SunTrust, Fast Printz, Lightship Media, Steinway Piano Gallery, Ludwig Framemakers, Gold Coast Magazine, Hotspots Magazine, Mark’s List, South Florida Gay News, The Mirror and WSVN.

PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Murphy Photography