Human rights concert and awards ceremony explored and celebrated the many facets of human rights in action through music, story, art and courageous voice
Over 200 attendees gathered at The Kessler Theater last Wednesday, November 16th to rejoice and celebrate the many faces of human rights at the Triumph of the Spirit Awards, presented by SMU’s Embrey Human Rights Program. The powerful and inspirational concert and awards ceremony voiced the standards of humanity, compassion, and love and EHRP’s motto that “there is no such thing as a lesser person.”
The talented Journeyman Ink led off the entertaining evening, and within minutes, had the room chanting, “Love is an action that transforms pain into purpose.” Their commissioned spoken word piece was influenced by the quiet strength and loud actions of local humanitarian award recipient Carol Brady Houston of Plano-based Friday Nite Friends. For the last 20 years, she has been providing a safe, fun, and rewarding refuge every Friday night for medically fragile and special needs children so their parents and caregivers can have a welcomed night off.
International awardee Georges Bwelle flew in from Africa to accept his award and $25,000 grant to continue his tireless effort to provide free medical care and wellness education to rural and needy populations in Cameroon through his non-profit, ASCOVIME. He declared, “This recognition will energize me and my team to spread smiles all over the world!”
Uplifting entertainment included the soulful sounds of musician BettySoo and the explosive energy of Sudanese child soldier turned hip hop artist Emmanuel Jal. The inspirational evening was produced by Music2Life, a nonprofit production group that creates music-driven programs, events and promotions that move hearts and minds around a cause.
Additional attendees included President and CEO of The Embrey Family Foundation Lauren Embrey, SMU Vice President for Developmental and External Affairs Brad E. Cheves, SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Director of Development Mary Lynn Amoyo, President and CEO of the Dallas Holocaust Museum Mary Pat Higgins, and Founder and President of ConnecTeach Bhavani Parpai who was the 2014 Triumph of the Spirit Awards Global Recipient.
SMU EHRP Director Rick Halperin closed the evening with powerful words. “May we honor the courageous tonight – and dignify the human experience through poetry, music, and art. May we challenge and embolden all of your to be powerful change-makers in every way possible.”
Southern Methodist University(SMU) is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.
SMU’s Embrey Human Rights Programin Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences is dedicated to providing opportunities for promoting, defending and extending human rights. SMU is one of only seven U.S. institutions to offer a bachelor’s degree in human rights, and through its interdisciplinary program annually facilitates hundreds of learning events and immersive trips, as well as community outreach and social action campaigns.
