FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2009

BATON ROUGE – The YWCA Greater Baton Rouge will honor the LSU Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, or EDCO, with the Racial Justice Award during the annual awards breakfast at Juban’s restaurant on Wednesday, July 22, at 7:30 a.m.

The prestigious Racial Justice Award, now in its 16th year, recognizes exceptional and creative contributions toward the elimination of racism. The criteria include a significant involvement in the struggle for peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. LSU EDCO will be presented with the award this year along with Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and its Walter C. Dumas Scholarship Committee and Charitable Foundation. The guest speaker for the awards breakfast will be Deputy Assistant Attorney General Loretta King from the U.S. Department of Justice.

LSU EDCO, led by Vice Provost Katrice Albert, assists administrators, deans and department heads in implementing policies and procedures to ensure that diversity is a vital component in all decision-making processes at LSU. The office also provides the campus and community with evidenced-based “promising practices,” which strengthen awareness, knowledge, and skills for working and learning in a diverse educational community.

“EDCO recognizes that diversity, in all its dimensions, contributes to the overall quality of our flagship institution,” LSU Chancellor Michael Martin wrote in his nomination letter. “I am enthusiastic in offering my highest endorsement of Dr. Katrice Albert and the staff of EDCO. Their professional advocacy, racial justice, social inclusion and consensus building qualities are exceptional. I have a great deal of respect for this group and am pleased that they are dedicated to racial justice at LSU and beyond.”

EDCO includes the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the African American Cultural Center, the Women’s Center, the Community University Partnership and the Louisiana Center Addressing Substance Abuse in Collegiate Communities. The program has been responsible for hosting nationally recognized social justice speakers, including Angela Davis, Morris Dees, Kweisi Mfume and Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball, as well as the YWCA’s “Dialogue on Race.” EDCO also supports many non-profit organizations, like “One Baton Rouge,” to promote equity and social justice throughout the community.

The 2009 Racial Justice Award breakfast is sponsored by Kean Miller and John B. Noland. For information, call the YWCA at 225-383-0681 or visit the Web site at www.ywca-br.org. Admission is $25 per person and reservations are required and may be made by contacting Peggy Cartwright at 225-383-0681 or cartwrightp@ywca-br.org.