Diversity Rules Magazine

Diversity Honors, the globally renowned celebra on that benefits Harvey Milk Founda on and The Pride Center at Equality Park, exclusively hosted by Semi- nole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, will take center stage again, on Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. to recognize those who are transforming lives by living authen cally and advancing inclusiveness. This year, the founda on will honor Commissioner Nicole M. Ramirez with the pres gious Harvey Milk Medal; Car- ol Moran with The Pride Center at Equality Park Alan Schubert Award and Stoli Group's Global CEO Dami- an McKinney with the 2023 Global Business Leader- ship Award. Addi onal honorees for this year's event include Florida State Senator Shevrin "Shev" Jones, Drag TV Star and Entrepreneur Latrice Royale, South Florida Symphony Orchestra's (SFSO) President and CEO Jacqueline Lorber and Music Director Sebrina María Alfonso and the Bears of South Florida. "Once again, we are honored to be back with our wonderful event partners at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, suppor ng two world-class organiza- ons and celebra ng extraordinary LGBTQ+ leaders and allies who have li ed our spirits, strengthened our communi es, and pushed us towards progress," said Miriam Richter, Harvey Milk Founda on direc- tor. "In addi on to our outstanding local honorees, we are privileged to be recognizing one of the trail- blazing leaders of the LGBTQ+ movement, Nicole Murray Ramirez, as well as a trailblazer of the global business community, Damian McKinney." Commissioner Nicole M. Ramirez (Queen Mother of the Interna onal Court System) has been a La no/LGBTQ+ ac vist for over 50 years. A past state chair of Equality California, he has also advised and served a dozen mayors from Los Angeles to San Diego. Ramirez has served as chairman of the boards of the Gay Rights Na onal Lobby, Human Rights Cam- paign, and the Na onal LGBTQ Task Force. He is the tular head of one of the oldest LGBT organiza ons in the US, the Interna onal Imperial Courts which was founded in 1965 and now has over 70 city chapters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He worked with Cesar Chavez and was presented with the Cesar Chavez Social Jus ce Award presented by his widow Helen Chavez. He was one of the na on's first non- binary ac vists and drag queens to be appointed to city and state public office. He is also the founder of the Na onal LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Ramirez is currently serves as a city and county commissioner and as chair of the Na onal LGBTQ Civil Rights Network USA. Carol Moran has a long history as a philanthropist, LGBTQ advocate and successful female entrepre- neur. A er losing her brother to AIDS at age 38, she dedicated herself to raising awareness for HIV and women's health, advoca ng for women to obtain free mammograms. As a veteran hospitality profes- sional and corporate restauranteur for many years, she has commi ed to helping various local organi- za ons and causes that impact our community in- cluding Broward House, Trevor Project, Children's Diagnos c & Treatment Center, American Veterans for Equal Rights, Poverello and numerous PRIDE ini a ves. She founded the Iron Ladies golf tourna- ment which raised thousands of dollars for SMART Ride, the Red Dress program and the Mobile Mam- mogram unit. She was instrumental in launching the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (now The Pride Center at Equality Park) capital cam- paign to find its first home and served as the cam- paign's board president. As the current co-owner of Apt. 9F restaurant, she remains a visible force who advocates on the right side of history. She has been recognized as one of the top 100 movers and shakers in the state's LGBTQ community. Under the leadership of Damian McKinney, Stoli Group's global CEO, the spirits brand has flourished and is unwavering in its support of worldwide LG- BTQ ini a ves and innova ve ac va ons. McKinney served for 18 years with the UK Royal Marine Com- mandos, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel at 35, and received a number of awards, including MBE and Men on in Despatches for ac ve-duty opera- ons, before entering the private sector. In 1999, he founded the company McKinney Rogers and over the next 20 years, built a global organiza on with offices on every subcon nent and dedicated to delivering tangible and sustainable results for organiza ons ranging from Walmart to Diageo and Pfizer to Thom- son Reuters. He was acquired by GP Strategies in 14 |Diversity Rules Magazine| Mar 2023 Eight Distinguished Honorees Announced for Diversity Honors Ceremony to be Hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood SATURDAY, APRIL 1

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