March 21, 2018 - The 2018 respect. Award was presented to local hip hop artist and mentor Benjamin Murray at Diversity Thunder Bay's 12th Annual Celebration Breakfast for the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

"The respect. Award is an annual award that recognizes an individual, business or organization that promotes the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that recognize the importance of human dignity, and demonstrates leadership to foster respect for others," said Tina Tucker, Chair of the respect. Working Group.

This year's recipient, Benjamin Murray, uses his own lived experience to inspire positive change in his community. He uses his musical talent to connect with and mentor youth so that they may be empowered to follow the path to the good life, including self-respect and respect for others. He has promoted recovery to people from all walks of life who have been affected by addictions and mental illness.

He helped produce a film about addiction and loss, called "Dying in Vein", which was just screened in Edmonton and will be screened at film festivals around the world. He is a signed artist with FLVR records, an international record label based out of Thunder Bay, and has plans to open a studio here that will be open to the public and run parallel to a youth centre.

"The respect. Award recipient exemplifies all the qualities of a respect. champion, and Benjamin works hard to promote equity, recovery and empowerment," added Chevrette. "We are so happy to recognize Benjamin's dedication, hard work and commitment to making Thunder Bay a more inclusive community, and for exemplifying the principles of the respect. Initiative."

respect. is an Initiative of the City of Thunder Bay's Anti-Racism & Respect Advisory Committee and the Crime Prevention Council, and the respect. Award is sponsored by Diversity Thunder Bay. 

For more information, visit: thunderbay.ca/respect 

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Contact:    Lee-Ann Chevrette, Crime Prevention Council Coordinator, 807-625-2554