Connie Sumalde entertains diners with the Aloha Week Hula, a Hawaiian dance. Source photo by Deanna Rose

The honorees received their awards during the committee’s inaugural Diversity Dinner on Sept. 18 at Ike’s Restaurant in Sterling Heights.

The Diversity Distinction Award winners were DTE Energy, Comcast, Latin Extravaganza, Sterling Heights librarian Judy Kotulis, Sterling Heights librarian Ed Piet and retired Sterling Heights Community Relations Director Pat Lehman.

Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte said events like the Diversity Dinner are a way that residents can learn about each other, and the ways culture and religion impact people’s lives.

“If we understand, then we all get along better,” Notte said.

DTE Energy was honored for being a major corporate sponsor for many community activities, including the Cultural Exchange, the Sterlingfest International Tent and the Diversity Dinner. In addition, DTE Energy has been a long-time supporter of programs offered by the Ethnic Committee to promote race relations.

Comcast, one of the largest employers in Sterling Heights, was honored for its diverse workforce. Of the 686 employees at Comcast in the city, 53 percent are female and 46 percent are ethnically diverse. In addition, the company’s call center in Sterling Heights employs bilingual customer service representatives to strengthen its focus on customer needs.

“Our diverse organization continues to grow,” Comcast Michigan’s Public Affairs Manager Olivia Visperas said.

Latin Extravaganza, a Sterling Heights-based dance group, introduces Hispanic culture and Latin dance to school groups, ethnic organizations and at civic events. Led by Sterling Heights resident Ivonne Tapia, the group has participated in the Cultural Exchange and other events to promote and champion diversity in the city.

Kotulis organized the Sterling Heights Public Library’s Passport Series, featuring a different country during each free program that exposes residents to that country’s history and customs. Program attendees learned about the other countries through performances, stories, crafts and other opportunities.

“Thank you very much,” Kotulis said while accepting her award. “What a great honor.”

Piet is credited with establishing the SHPL’s Anne Marie Given International Language Collection, in memory of his late wife, through personal funds. The collection serves the diverse ethnic communities and foreign language programs in the city.

Lehman, a resident of Sterling Heights, was instrumental in forming the inaugural ethnic committee. She recognized the changing demographics of the city and established the committee to serve as a forum for dealing with issues of the ethnic community. She promoted an environment of inclusiveness, fairness and acceptance.

“We’re a mosaic,” Lehman said.

The dinner presentation included cultural entertainment, featuring performances, dances and songs of different ethnic groups. Ivana Ristova of Macedonia sang the United States national anthem to begin the festivities. Shreekari Tadepalli of Troy and Maria Vengachuttil of Sterling Heights performed Indian dances of Bharata Natyam, and Mee Kue of Detroit danced to a traditional Hmong song from Laos. Lolita Guadez, Yvette Banas, Connie Sumalde, Sallie Noveras and Marissa Radowick positioned themselves around the room and treated attendees to a performance of the Aloha Week Hula.

Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley, the featured speaker at the dinner, spoke about “The Power of One” and how each person can have an impact in society.

“We can solve this problem - it only takes one person,” Riley said. “But it takes every Œone’ person in America.”

She stressed the importance of embracing and encouraging diversity, unity and family, instead of separating because of differences.

“No matter what you look like on the outside, our hearts are all the same color on the inside,” Riley said.