San Diego CA— The National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) will present its 32nd Annual Peacemaker Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 18, 2020, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The theme of this year’s event is A Path Forward, and will honor individuals and organizations dedicated to peacemaking in both their own neighborhoods and around the world. The inspiring event spotlights the importance of civility, peacemaking and social justice in a world filled with conflict.
Event proceeds will support NCRC’s groundbreaking work to unite people, cultures, and organizations through civility and inclusive communication. These programs include NCRC’s A Path Forward campaign, which was started as a response to the tragic shooting at Chabad of Poway and addresses intolerance in our world today.
“This year’s Peacemaker Awards are focused on those who work every day to help our society overcome hate and bigotry,” said NCRC’s President Steven Dinkin. “While it may seem that our nation is becoming more and more divided each day, I believe that there truly is a path forward when we learn to truly listen to other perspectives and have civil, thoughtful conversations about our differences.”
NATIONAL PEACEMAKER HONOREE: Arthur C. Brooks
Arthur C. Brooks is Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Arthur C. Patterson Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School. Before joining the Harvard faculty in July of 2019, he served for 10 years as president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI), one of the world’s leading think tanks.
Brooks is the author of 11 books, including the national bestsellers “Love Your Enemies” (2019), “The Conservative Heart” (2015), and “The Road to Freedom” (2012). He has also published dozens of academic journal articles, as well as the textbook “Social Entrepreneurship” (2008). He is a columnist for The Washington Post, host of the podcast “The Arthur Brooks Show,” and subject of the 2019 documentary film “The Pursuit,” now available on Netflix. He gives more than 100 speeches per year around the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Previously, Brooks was the Louis A. Bantle Professor of Business and Government at Syracuse University, where he taught economics and social entrepreneurship. Prior to his work in academia and public policy, he spent 12 years as a professional French hornist in the United States and Spain.
Brooks holds a Ph.D. and an M.Phil. in policy analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He also holds an M.A. in economics from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in economics from Thomas Edison State College.
Past National Honorees have included such prominent figures and organizations, including: Congressman John Lewis, Presidential Adviser David Gergen, Actor Richard Dreyfuss, former Senator George McGovern, University of California President Janet Napolitano, San Diego philanthropists Bill and Lori Walton and Father Gregory Boyle.
This year, NCRC has awarded the Philanthropy in Peacemaking Award to Paul Palmer posthumously for his visionary leadership in bringing people together to build a better world.
Palmer started his radio career at the “WMUC” college radio station in College Park, MD. There, he had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview The Beatles two days after their historic appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Following an extensive career in radio, he took his networking and community building skills to the nonprofit world, working at Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego. During his 13 years of leadership, the number of children mentored by the organization grew from 230 to 1,700. Paul had a unique ability to make everyone around him feel special and welcome, promoting a sense of community and love in all that he did.
Palmer was truly dedicated to making both San Diego and the world a better place. He extended unconditional welcome to all. He took interest in people, saw the good in everyone and was openly optimistic about the future. He was a gatherer—forever bringing people together to build relationships and strengthen his community.
He brought this passion to NCRC by serving as a member of the organization’s development team for more than five years and was an active part of that team at the time of his passing.
Palmer passed away on October 28, 2019 and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marge, and three children: PJ, Wendy and Caroline. He was a long-time resident of La Jolla.
To celebrate Paul’s lasting legacy of goodness, NCRC is proud to establish the Paul Palmer Memorial Fund for Civility, an endowed fund to ensure a lasting tribute in perpetuity.
Each year NCRC honors individuals who contribute to our San Diego community in extraordinary ways.
This year’s honorees include:
Nico Marcolongo – Veteran’s Health
Marcolongo is the senior manager for Operation Rebound at the Challenged Athletes Foundation in Sorrento Valley, a nonprofit organization that uses sports to improve the mental and physical health of permanently injured veterans, and help them reintegrate into their communities. Marcolongo is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who served two deployments in Iraq, and after his military service decided he wanted to dedicate his life to bringing hope and opportunity to injured veterans through sports. He is also an active advisory committee member of the GI Film Festival San Diego, which aims to reveal the struggles, triumphs, and experiences of service members and veterans through compelling and authentic storytelling. (Residence: Carmel Valley)
Sherrie L. Rubin- Opioid Epidemic
Rubin is the founder of the Hope2gether Foundation, whose mission is to prevent opioid deaths, get help for those struggling with addiction and advocate for drug policy changes. Rubin has spent the last decade educating communities about the risks of opioid use and addiction, and says she was called to start Hope2gether after she almost lost her son, Aaron, in 2005. Aaron Rubin, who was 23 at the time, fell into a coma after overdosing on Oxycontin, and had to be on life support for several weeks. He survived and now is a quadriplegic and can no longer speak. He often joins his mother when she gives presentations out in the community and serves as Rubin’s inspiration. (Residence: Escondido)
Buki Domingos – Human Trafficking
Domingos is an artist, nurse, mother and human trafficking survivor who speaks and performs locally to raise awareness about human trafficking in San Diego. Born in Nigeria, Domingos unknowingly became involved in human trafficking after coming to the U.S. six years ago, being forced to perform as a singer without pay. She managed to escape her situation and when she did, became an activist for others by using her voice as a singer and speaker. Domingos, who speaks five languages, serves as board chair of Activist San Diego, a non-profit organization dedicated to spotlighting and fostering collaboration between social justice groups and organizations. Domingos also co-hosts a show on the organization’s radio station, which focuses on human trafficking, with an emphasis on vulnerability among black immigrant women. (Residence: La Mesa)
Dr. Amber Pairis – Climate Change
Dr. Pairis is the director of the Climate Science Alliance, an external network of San Diego scientists and environmental experts working toward solutions for climate change-induced problems in local communities. She is passionate about “bringing people together with a collaborative, community-centered approach to climate change.” Her ultimate goal is to protect our communities and natural resources from the effects of climate change. She also leads multiple initiatives and engagement programs that revolve around terrestrial ecosystem resilience and natural resource conservation. Pairis’ work was recognized by Governor Jerry Brown, who appointed her Assistant Secretary for Climate Change of the California Natural Resources Agency in 2013. (Residence: Pacific Beach)
Guests may arrive at 5:30 p.m. for the cocktail hour, and have the opportunity to mingle with San Diego’s top business and community leaders, as well as the honorees. The dinner and program will begin promptly at 7 p.m., and will include a “raise the paddle” fundraising activity.
The 2019 Peacemaker Awards dinner raised $1,111,380, the largest total raised at an individual fundraising event in the organization’s history, and a 62 percent increase over the previous year’s total. Last year’s event also included the announcement of a record $5 million pledge from philanthropist Elaine Galinson to endow the Galinson/Glickman Campus Civility Program at UC San Diego, a partnership between the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) and UC San Diego.
Tickets are $400 per person. Tables are available for $5,000. Sponsorships are also available. For more information, please contact Jen Jensen, jjensen@ncrconline.com or 619-238-2400 ext. 222.
Event Calendar Details
National Conflict Resolution Center’s 32nd Annual Peacemaker Awards Dinner
- Saturday, April 18, 2020
- Registration and Cocktail Hour – 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Dinner and Awards – 7 to 9 p.m.
- Hilton San Diego Bayfront – In the Sapphire Ballroom
- 1 Park Blvd.
- San Diego, Calif. 92101
- Business Attire is suggested
- Tickets: $400 | Tables: $5,000
- More info and to purchase tickets: ncrconline.com
About National Conflict Resolution Center
National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) provides the resources, training and expertise to help people, organizations and communities around the world manage and solve conflicts, with civility. Built on the principle that every dispute has a solution, NCRC serves a variety of communities in both the public and private sectors – regionally, nationally and internationally. The organization’s mission is to resolve issues with the highest possible degree of civility and equitability to all parties involved.
NCRC was founded in 1983 by the University of San Diego Law Center and the San Diego County Bar Association. With more than 35 years of experience and over 20,000 cases managed, NCRC is recognized as an international leader in mediation instruction and conflict resolution. To learn more, donate or volunteer please call 619-238-2400 or visit www.ncrconline.com. Connect with NCRC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.