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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 07, 2015
CONTACT: JONATHAN ZUR 804-515-7950
[email protected]
VCIC ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF 48TH ANNUAL
LYNCHBURG HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
2015 Lynchburg Humanitarian Awards Dinner presented by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
May 27, 2015 at Lynchburg College
(Lynchburg, VA) - The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities is pleased to announce the
recipients of the 2015 Humanitarian Awards. This 48th presentation of the awards by the
Lynchburg Chapter of VCIC will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at Lynchburg College.
The awards celebration honors individuals and organizations for making significant
humanitarian contributions to the greater Lynchburg community.
The 2015 Lynchburg Humanitarian Award Recipients
Laura N. Dupuy
Ms. Dupuy is a member of the staff of the Virginia Community Development
Corporation (VCDC) and provides technical assistance and consultation in real
estate development financing to VCDC clients. She is the former executive
director of the Lynchburg Neighborhood Development Foundation (LNDF). Ms.
Dupuy is an attorney, previously with the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Farmville
and Lynchburg, where her practice focused on housing litigation and communitybased economic development. She currently serves on several local and
statewide boards including WordWorks-Lynchburg, Inc., the Lynchburg Area
Food Council, and the Virginia Housing Coalition.
Walter M. Fore, Jr.
Mr. Fore, a long-time Lynchburg civil rights activist, is retired from the Glay
Morgan Pipe Company. He has been active in the Central VA Labor Council,
Black Lynchburg Action Council, and Black Moses Men’s Club. He has served on
the Boards of Lynchburg Legacy Museum, Council of Aging, Interfaith Outreach,
Lynchburg Youth Council, and the Lynchburg Parks and Recreation council. Mr.
Fore was appointed to numerous state agencies boards by Governors Warner
and Kaine. He was one of the original five individuals whose ideas started the
Lynchburg Community Dialogues on Race and Racism.
Walker P. Sydnor, Jr. Mr. Sydnor is the retired president of Scott Insurance. He joined the organization
in 1976, and was elected President in 1986. Mr. Sydnor joined the Centra Board
of Directors in 1993. He served as Chairman of the finance committee from 1996
until 2013, and effective January, 2014 became Chairman of the Centra board.
Mr. Sydnor served as trustee for Lynchburg College from 1991 until 2013, and
served as Chair of the board for 2002-2005. He currently sits on the Wells Fargo
regional advisory board.
James A. Webster
Mr. Webster relocated to Lynchburg in 2006 from the Boston Area, where he had
a history of community involvement, both personally and professionally. In 2006,
he joined the Parkview Community Mission where he participates in a variety of
activities. In 2007, Mr. Webster participated in the City of Lynchburg’s Dialogue
on Race and Racism. He facilitated the Dialogue’s initial Study Circle, trained
facilitators, served on the Advisory Board and facilitated an Action Group. His
involvement continues today as Assistant Treasurer of the dialogue’s program,
Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
5511 Staples Mill Road, #202  Richmond, VA 23228  Ph: (804) 515-7950  Fax: (804) 515-7177  www.inclusiveva.org
“Many Voices One Community.” Mr. Webster serves in several capacities on
Salvation Army Advisory Board and heparticipates in the community advisory
committee meetings of the Lynchburg Area Food Council.
Herbert R. Moore, Jr. Rev. Moore will receive the Jeffrey B. Spence Award for Interfaith
Understanding, presented to individuals or organizations for particular
distinction in working across religious lines. He is Executive Director Emeritus of
Lynchburg Covenant Fellowship and is an active member of First Christian
Church in Lynchburg, VA. Rev. Moore has served as an Elder and Chair of the
Official Church Board, Chair of World Outreach and Stewardship departments,
and is now serving on the Board of Directors of Lynchburg Covenant Fellowship
Inc. Other board service has included the Lynchburg Citizens Advisory Council,
The Lynchburg Sheltered Industries Inc., The Free Clinic of Central Virginia Inc.,
Camp Kum Ba Yah Inc., The Summit Inc., Riverviews Art Space Inc., and The
Festival Center Inc.
E. C. Glass High
School Football
Coaches (1971-1976) Receiving the Distinguished Merit Citation, these individuals were involved in a
story reminiscent of “Remember the Titans”. After the integration of Lynchburg
City Schools, the new high school football team was not successful, and the
crowds grew violent. Games were moved from Friday nights to Saturday
afternoons. The school board hired John Palmer to join Otis Tucker, Jimmy
Green, Horace (Bo) Henson, and Wally Gilbert. Coach Palmer noted that Glass
was BLUE, not any other colors. He did not care who you were, what you played
last year, or what school you came from; only if you worked hard and played hard
you were welcomed to the team. The Toppers ended their season 9-1 and lost in
the playoffs. Some suggest that if they had won, the movie would have been
“Remember the Toppers”.
The Humanitarian Awards are presented annually in communities across the state by the
Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. Begun in 1967 in Lynchburg, when the organization
was part of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Humanitarian Awards honor
individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of respect
and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
For 80 years, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities has been addressing prejudices, in
all forms in order to improve academic achievement, increase workplace productivity, and
enhance local trust. Today through workshops, retreats, and customized programs, VCIC works
with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion.
The 2015 VCIC Humanitarian Awards Dinner is chaired by Dr. John S. Capps, President of
Central Virginia Community College.
For more information about the organization or about reservations for the Awards on May 27th,
go to www.inclusiveva.org.
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Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
5511 Staples Mill Road, #202  Richmond, VA 23228  Ph: (804) 515-7950  Fax: (804) 515-7177  www.inclusiveva.org