County Manager Dena R. Diorio and Bank Executive D. Steve Boland Receive Prestigious Award from Urban League of Central Carolinas
County Manager Dena R. Diorio received the prestigious Whitney M. Young Award from the Urban League of the Central Carolinas. Bank of America chief administrative officer D. Steve Boland also received the award. The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award is given in memory of the great civil rights leader and former National Urban League head, to honor individuals who demonstrate leadership and support for the Black community through community service and investment.
Urban League Board Chair, Dr. Kinneil Coltman said, “Dena Diorio’s thoughtful leadership has been so vital to the quality of life we want to create for those the Urban League serves and the underserved community. Her commitment to ensuring that individuals have workforce training and connections to jobs that provide a livable wage, access to affordable housing and so much more makes her a true champion and advocate for economic mobility.”
Here’s an excerpt from Dena’s acceptance remarks:
“I am humbled by your recognition and truly thankful to be in such company of those so invested in our community’s work. As I learned more about Whitney Moore Young Jr, I quickly realized why his impact on our country spans the generations. Being the national executive director of the Urban League from 1961 to 1971, he steered this important organization through a critical time in the civil rights movement. His quote that moved me was when he said, “I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular, but I would like to think that at a crucial moment, I was an effective voice of the voiceless, an effective hope of the hopeless.” That is what we all hope to do and be.
The Board of County Commissioners gives me the honor to serve in this role. My deputy County managers and department directors work tirelessly to create and innovate, and the 6,000 County employees who serve our community with passion and commitment make the magic happen every single day. I share this honor with them, and we are committed to continuing this work and fulfilling the vision and legacy of Whitney Moore Young Jr.”
