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Celebration

Scottsdale’s 2021 Diversity Champions, MLK celebration goes online Jan. 14

Posted 12/22/20

Scottsdale nonprofit Community Celebrating Diversity announces its 2021 Diversity Champions.

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Celebration

Scottsdale’s 2021 Diversity Champions, MLK celebration goes online Jan. 14

Posted

Scottsdale nonprofit Community Celebrating Diversity announces its 2021 Diversity Champions.

Dr. Jan Gehler, former president of Scottsdale Community College; and Alan Rodbell, recently retired Scottsdale Police chief, will be recognized at the 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration on Jan. 14 online.

Diversity Champions -- nominated by anyone in the community --are individuals who exemplify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to a press release, and those who have enriched the community by empowering others.

Eligible nominees must work, live or volunteer in Scottsdale, the release said.

Honorees:

Dr. Jan Gehler

Dr. Jan Gehler became Scottsdale Community College’s second president. With 21 years in higher education before joining the Maricopa County Community College District, she retired in August 2018 after 10 years of service to Scottsdale Community College.

She served the local community of Scottsdale as board member for the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Celebrating Diversity, Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services, and as a member of the Scottsdale Leadership Advisory Committee, Scottsdale Healthcare Advisory Committee and Scottsdale Rotary.

Chief Alan Rodbell

Retired Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell was a police executive with 45 years of experience in law enforcement administration. His last 17 years were spent as the police chief of the City of Scottsdale. Under his leadership, Scottsdale achieved double digit reductions in crime, making Scottsdale among the safest cities in Arizona.

He was appointed by the governor to two state boards; the Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training Board, and the Homeland Security, Central Regional Advisory Council. In 2017, he was named Police Chief of the Year by the Arizona Chiefs of Police.

During his career he served as an advisory board member of the East Valley NAACP and a member of the Arizona Black Law Enforcement Employees Association. He also worked with the Special Olympics throughout his career; plus local organizations including Scottsdale Charros, Community Celebrating Diversity, Health World Education, Horsense, Scottsdale Community College, and Scottsdale Leadership.

Scottsdale Celebrates MLK Jr. Living the Dream 

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration takes place Jan. 14. The event will be done virtually and streamed through the CCD website, the release noted.

Ken E. Nwadike, Jr., is returning as a featured speaker for the event. A peace activist, motivational speaker, and video journalist, he is known  online as the "Free Hugs Guy." 

CCD is a Scottsdale-based nonprofit organization that sponsors educational and community events to celebrate and create a greater awareness of the community’s diversity, the release said.

For more information, or to view the free event on Jan. 14: CCDArizona.org. Sponsorships are still available.