A nonprofit organization celebrating Bartholomew County’s ethnic and cultural diversity — and its sense of making people feel welcome — will mark a decade of work at a dinner celebration April 3 at The Commons.
The leaders for the Columbus Area Multi Ethnic Organization, better known as CAMEO, said they hope for a crowd of 200 to 250 people.
Rich Freeland, Cummins Inc.’s president and chief operating officer, will speak on the importance of promoting diversity in the workplace. Organizers said he also will include remarks on what Cummins is doing to remain a company committed to diversity and inclusiveness.
Plus, the evening will include several acts that have participated in CAMEO’s popular Columbus Got Talent annual event the past few years, according to current president Tyshaun Allen.
The event will feature the awarding of the Benjamin “Mickey” King Award for community service.
Allen, a native of New York City, understands the power and importance of diversity.
“It’s obviously something near and dear to my heart because I come from a city with so many diverse cultures,” Allen said. “And that’s why when I came here, I got interested in CAMEO. It kind of reminded me of home.”
The organization includes 10 different ethnic associations, including the French Association as the latest.
The organization was launched in September 2009 via The Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Its creation came out of the nonprofit organization’s 2004 Welcoming Community survey meant to make the area a more welcoming place for its diverse and international population.
CAMEO’S first president, Columbus resident Kennan al-Husseini, served as a tremendous example of diversity.
He was born in Syria, raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and educated since his late teens in the United States. In the first few months of CAMEO’s existence, he recalled its impact in an interview with The Republic.
al-Husseini mentioned that a Brazilian family considering relocating to Columbus for a job was concerned about feeling at home in the Midwest. The family found CAMEO website at columbuscameo.org. And then the family was able to contact the Columbus Latin American Association listed on the site for help in its decision.
Allen pinpointed one of the organization’s most significant impacts.
“I think it’s just important that CAMEO is still such an active organization after 10 years, and keeps up the effort of promoting ethnicity,” Allen said.
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What: 10th anniversary celebration of the Columbus Area Multi Ethnic Organization
When: 6 to 8 p.m. April 3
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Tickets: $30 each, including dinner, or a table of eight for $200, available at eventslogbook.com/events/cameos-10th-anniversary-celebration/
Information: columbuscameo.org
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