INSIGHT NEWS — Those promoting the connectedness of the African diaspora and revitalization of the continent were celebrated during the Twin Cities International Leadership Institute’s Citizen Awards.
The May 9 awards ceremony at the Minneapolis Club in downtown Minneapolis recognized seven honorees for their efforts to serve the world’s largest landmass, and more importantly, its inhabitants. Honored were Coventry Royster Cowens, International Citizen Award, Patrice Johnson (posthumously), International Citizen Award, Fartun Weli, International Immigrant Achievement Award, Dr. Robert Johnson, International Educator Citizen Award, International Social Justice Citizen Award, Christine Stark, International Social Justice Citizen Award, Tsehai Wodejo, International Social Justice Citizen Award and Brendon Adams, International Arts and Culture Citizen Award.
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Dr. Robert Johnson, a recently retired professor from St. Cloud State University, was honored for establishing an immersive study abroad program at the university that sends students to South Africa. Dr. Robert Johnson said his goal is to have students realize the commonality of the human experience.
“The whole purpose, the whole mission is about self-discovery,” said Dr. Robert Johnson. “We’ve had the opportunity to introduce hundreds of students to cultures abroad. This in not academic tourism. We get these students involved at a grassroots level.”
