The theme for this year's celebration is “What Excellence Looks Like†and will examine African American excellence locally and nationally, past and present, with hopes of inspiring all members of the community to always strive for excellence. The Kick-Off Program will feature book signings by local authors, Janet Cheatham Bell and Audrey T. McCluskey, and a keynote address by Arvis Dawson, Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Elkhart, Indiana.
In his position at the City of Elkhart, Dawson is responsible for implementing the Mayor's vision for jobs and economic development. Prior to serving as Executive Assistant, he served seven four-year terms as City Councilman for the Fifth District, while working as an educator for the Elkhart Community School Corporation as a health and physical education teacher. He continues to be a group mentor for young men at one of the local middle schools. Dawson has served as Chairman of the Board for Indiana Black Expo, Inc. and currently serves as Executive Vice-Chairman of that organization. He also fulfilled the role of Democratic City Chair for the 2007 Municipal General Election and was an Indiana Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Dawson has been and continues to be a member of several boards, including the NAACP, DARE, Salvation Army, the Indiana State Teachers Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Trustee Board for Agape Missionary Church, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, the Elkhart County Election Board and the Goshen College Alumni Board.
