News

The Moorhead Human Rights Commission is pleased to announce the 2023 Human Rights Awards, which recognize significant contributions to human rights in our community.  Recipients are:

Zak Amin (Non-profit category): Zak is program manager at the Kurdish American Development Organization and a high school teacher at Moorhead Area Public Schools.

Brandon Baity (Non-profit category): Brandon is the interim Executive Director of the Indigenous Association. 

Marisa Bengston-Loerzel (Civic/Community category): Marisa is Regional Community Coordinator – West Central Region for The Arc Minnesota. 

Em Christie (Non-profit category): Em is an artist and advocate. 

Here are excerpts from the winners’ nominations:

• Zak Amin “has worked tirelessly to promote Kurdish cultural preservation as well as Kurdish immigrant resettlement in Moorhead during the eight years since his own immigration and through his work with the Kurdish American Development Organization. Zak overcame great adversity in his homeland, serving US interests as a translator. He helped the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County complete an oral history project, collecting personal stories of Kurdish immigrants. Without his contacts, perseverance and professional acumen, the project would not have been a success.”
• Brandon Baity “is a tremendous asset to our community, strong advocate for our youth and students and an amazing leader. He has consistently stepped up to advance collaborative work toward addressing the social determinants of health, equity, and building an inclusive community. Brandon shares his passion for our youth, cultural expression, and systems change in all spaces he engages.”
• Marisa Bengston-Loerzel “is the mother of a wonderful daughter named Addie, and both are incredible advocates for disability rights. The two of them run Addie’s Royal Cupcake Stand that donates a huge portion of its proceeds to the Sunshine Foundation, an organization that answers the dreams of seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children. Marisa and Addie regularly volunteer to read stories to children in the library about disability. She speaks often on transportation policy, teaches others in the community to be self-advocates and shows people that potential is not limited by things that people cannot physically do.” 
• Em Christie “is an amazing advocate for creating community and inclusive spaces for all. As the FM Rocks organizer, Em creates joy and excitement through bright colors and creativity. Em is passionate about representation and inclusion and dedicated to advocating for change.”

The awards were presented by the Moorhead Human Rights Commission at the Moorhead City Council Meeting on Monday, December 11.

Congratulations and thank you to the Human Rights Award recipients.