2010 Ambassador Award Recipients

Margery Otto and Herbert Perkins
2010 Ambassador Award Recipients

Herbert A. Perkins and Margery K. Otto

The 2010 Facing Race Ambassador Award honored Herbert A. Perkins and Margery K. Otto, co-directors of the Antiracism Study-Dialogue Circles (ASDIC).

Long before becoming co-directors of the ASDIC, Perkins and Otto each spent many years working to heal American race relations. They met while volunteering on an anti-racism team and today their ASDIC circles provide participants the opportunity to engage in dialogue, build relationships across racial and ethnic barriers and commit to positive change. Since 2006, more than 500 people have participated in the ASDIC circles.

"We recognize that one or two people alone do not create anti-racism transformation," Perkins said. "Social change happens through communities of people working together. We accepted the award on behalf of, and in recognition of, the dedicated, inspired work of a whole community of people."

"This award is about celebrating the value and necessity of a community-wide dialogue on race," said Carleen Rhodes, president of The Saint Paul Foundation. "Herb and Margery's work demonstrates that when individuals are transformed, our communities are transformed. Naomi Tutu's words reinforced a need for continued dialogue and change at both the individual and community level."


2010 Ambassador Honorees


The initiative also honored three other Ambassadors for their efforts to advance the dialogue against racism in the East Metro area. Pictured from left to right: