The City of Fargo Presents Human Rights Awards at Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

The City of Fargo Presents Human Rights Awards at Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

The awards recognize community members who exemplify MLK's legacy and uplift human rights

01/20/2025

The Fargo Human Rights Commission hosted its annual MLK Day Celebration on the evening of Monday, January 20, at the Fargo Theatre. The community event honored civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a celebration of unity. Coordinated by the nonprofit group Fred's Dissonance, the event featured various artists who shared their interpretations of MLK's vision. As part of the event, the Human Rights Commission and City Administration, along with Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack and City Commissioner John Strand, presented MLK Day Human Rights Awards in the categories of adult, youth and business/nonprofit organization. The awards recognize community members whose work exemplifies MLK's legacy and uplifts human rights.

Youth Award: Mora Sanders is a social media manager, photographer and organizer with the Indigenous Association in Fargo. Her work promotes cultural pride by creating opportunities for Indigenous community members to connect, engage, and preserve traditional practices. Her collaboration with CampusFM and her work with the Latino Networking group has helped build bridges across diverse communities. She has supported the LGBTQ+ community by advocating for inclusion and ensuring accessibility to resources and events that foster understanding and equity.

Youth Award: Davies High School student Florance Sherman is President of the North Dakota Association of Student Councils and the North Dakota State Representative for the National Student Council. She served as a keynote speaker at the Educational Justice Summit and has been actively involved in Umoja Writing Workshops and the Fargo Public Schools Long-Range Facility Planning Steering Committee. In her leadership roles, she has championed respect for diversity, amplified underrepresented voices and worked to dismantle systemic barriers in education.

Adult Award: Lexx Francis is a multidisciplinary artist and activist dedicated to advocating for marginalized communities in Fargo. Their work, including writing, performing and volunteering with organizations like the Human Rights Coalition and Pride Collective, cultivates inclusion and diversity. Through art, they explore themes of liberation, identity and bodily autonomy, empowering people of color and LGBTQ+ communities. Francis' commitment to supporting community members in need has left a lasting impact, inspiring future generations to embrace their identity and seek equity.

Organization Award: CHI Friendship advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. The Fargo-based nonprofit organization works to challenge stigma, restore personal freedoms and foster independence. CHI Friendship has successfully reinstated the rights of hundreds of clients and, in many cases, helped them find paid employment. The organization strives to create a more inclusive, respectful community where people with disabilities are empowered and viewed as contributors to society.