The Garnet F. Coleman "Eternal Flame" Award
This award is given to commend the continuous support of Health and Human Services for citizens of Texas in honor of Texas State Representative Garnet F. Coleman. The lifelong contributions of Representative Coleman have kept mental health issues and other related health disparities on the forefront in the State of Texas and on a national level.
Dr. Debra Murphy
Debra Murphy, Ph.D., M.P.H., has been an influential and positive role model leading the Austin community in advocacy, training, education and research in the areas of health and mental health disparities through her work at Huston-Tillotson University and an array of community endeavors, including the CTAAFSC. She has been involved in the planning of the CTAAFSC since its inception. Dr. Murphy has combined expertise and background in psychology, public health, academia, and community organizing; a compliment that has been particularly effective in campus community collaboration. She is the Principal Investigator and Director of an Office of Minority Health prevention/intervention grant called Our Brothers’ and Sisters’ Keepers, focusing on the training of Huston-Tillotson students to be advocates for middle school children who have special challenges. Dr. Murphy was chosen for her evidenced dedication to the conference mission.
The "Griot" Award
The “Griot” Award is given to honor individual journalists and media institutions in Central Texas that utilize journalism to improve and promote the importance of mental health and health related disparities in the African American community.
Steve Savage
Station Manager Steve Savage has been a community resource and fortunately for us, a dependable pillar of support of the CTAAFSC. Since the early nineties, Mr. Savage has worked tirelessly, often without compensation, to keep Austin’s KAZI FM 88.7 on the air, ensuring quality programming for all. His programs often focus on health and mental health issues among the African American community. Over the past six years, Savage has given over $15,000 in free advertisement for the CTAAFSC and has generously involved KAZI in community crusades to educate the public on diabetes, heart disease, cancer, smoking, mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders. His knowledge of the issues and his dedication to spreading this knowledge make him an unsung hero and, “the hardest working man in show business.”
The "Spirit" Award
The “Spirit” Award honors African American faith-based organizations and initiatives that embrace, practice and demonstrate the importance of mental health, substance use, developmental and physical health education and intervention.
Mt. Sinai Baptist Church
For years, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church has provided hope, comfort and inspiration to families in Austin. As a leading spiritual organization serving the community, Mt. Sinai clearly values education and support. In their efforts to eradicate stigma often faced by individuals living with behavioral health, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders, Mt. Sinai has offered support and encouragement to its congregation, increasing awareness of issues and promoting mental health awareness through various means, including weekly sermons. Most recently, Mt. Sinai held a mental health seminar to educate the public about these issues and help their church family identify services and resources in the community. In addition, ministries for youth, parents and seniors are available, helping raise awareness as well as offering support for those who serve as caretakers.
The Richard E. Hopkins "Torch" Awards
The Richard E. Hopkins “Torch” Awards are given in four categories: Consumer, Professional, Family Member, and Community Leader to acknowledge individuals’ efforts to improve the lives of persons affected by mental health or other health related issues within the Central Texas community. The “Torch” Awards are named in honor of ATCIC Board of Trustees Vice-Chair, Richard E. Hopkins, one of the CTAAFSC founders.
Torch Consumer Award – Tara Dixon
Tara Dixon is a shining example of how one person can make a difference. An employee of the Austin Area Mental Health Consumers as a mentor, she assists peers on their road to wellness with care and diligence. As if her very nature, Dixon consistently assists those in need to find housing, develop coping skills, find employment and independence. Dixon has developed strong relationships with boarding homes, transitional living facilities and shelters that provide assistance for many individuals. She is known for using her own struggles and experiences to motivate those around her and is a wonderful advocate for those who are unable to communicate or relay their needs. To date, Dixon has helped over 280 people through the Peer Mentor program and continues to be a ray of sunshine in the lives of so many in the Austin community.
Torch Family Member Award – Lydia Scales
Lydia Scales is a proud community advocate who has worked over half a century to improve the quality of life for Central Texans. As a teacher in the Austin Independent School District, she worked tirelessly with a number of students living with mental health and developmental disabilities. In 1971, she experienced firsthand how mental illnesses affect families when she adopted her then-two year old grandson, diagnosed with cerebral palsy. However difficult, Scales began to dedicate her time promoting positive change in the community. An active member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church since the age of 14, she began the first ministry to address mental health issues, rarely discussed openly in those days. Whether advocating for consumers, fighting for parks and recreational centers in the community or assisting families through difficulties, she is a unique soul.
Torch Professional Award – Jenesta Sturrup
Jenesta Sturrup has worked in the Austin community as a clinical social worker in private practice since 1987. A retired Army Lt. Colonel and a Master Prepared Registered nurse, she has worked to educate the community about individuals living with mental illness. Realizing that many people with mental illness may be hesitant to seek help, she founded the Bi-Polar Foundation of Central Texas in 1996, where she works with volunteers who provide information and outreach free of charge to consumers and their families. Sturrup is widely knows for her advocacy efforts, as she hosts a variety of successful seminars and maintains an informative website, Bi-Polar disorder and me, a source of practical information, hope and encouragement. As one of a few African American therapists in our community, Sturrup is keenly aware of the disparities facing this community. Many have voiced their gratitude for her effective and practical approaches in therapy.
Torch Community Leader Award – Kay Walker
No one could ever capture in words the effect Kay Walker had on people. She was an aunt, cousin, niece, sister, co-worker and a life-long friend. Her tremendous spirit always brought light to each room she entered and left inspiration. Walker’s presence at this conference and throughout the community has been missed after her passing in August 2008, but we honor her legacy today and always. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Olivet Baptist Church, serving in the choir, church school, bible study, usher, vacations, the Helping Hands Ministry leader and many other labors of love. Walker had a gentle, caring spirit and truly gave more than she received. She continued her work within the community through the Multiple Sclerosis society and through her work with the State of Texas, where so many coworkers reminisce about a dear friend. As so poignantly stated by her family, “whether she talked to you alone, scolding you, or giving you advice, she always spoke from LOVE. Walker will live on in our memories and our deeds. Because remember, she never stopped working.”
