2009 Humanitarian Awards Honorees and Information

Dr. Alim and Sofia Khandekar

Dr. Alim & Sofia Khandekar have been active in the Memphis community for over thirty years. Dr. Alim was instrumental in building Masjad al Salaam, arranging for the Muslim cemeter, the interfaith Iftar dinner, many invitations to the non-Muslim community and bringing scholars to Memphis for Muslims in March events.. He is frequently a speaker talking about Islam and the local community. He has been an active partner with Facing History and Ourselves, NCCJ and now Diversity Memphis.

Rev. Samuel B. Kyles

Rev. Samuel B. Kyles is a renowned national speaker with numerous honors and awards, and has served as pastor of Monumental Baptist Church since 1959. He is recognized as a resource on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is the only person still living to have spent the last hour with Dr. King. He was appointed by the Clinton Administration to serve on the Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad and has served as a panelist at the White House Conference on Hate Crimes. He is a founding member of the National Board of People United to Save Humanity (PUSH) and a delegate to the first African National Congress.

Teresa C. Sloyan

Teresa C. Sloyan serves as the Executive Director of the Hyde Family Foundation. She has more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy and community relations including service in both the public and private sector. A native of Memphis, Teresa earned her baccalaureate degree from the University of Memphis and completed graduate work at the University of Tenn. In addition to her foundations responsibilities, she is active in a number of cultural and civic initiatives in the city. She has a particular passion for public education reform and recently led the local pursuit to add Memphis as an expansion city for New Leaders for New Schools. She serves on the boards of Achievement for All, Partners in Public Education, NCRM Freedom Award and the Memphis Zoo.

Rev. Craig Strickland

Rev. Craig Strickland is the founding pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church which
celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year. He began a Pastors network to serve the other pastors in the Memphis Faith community which has expanded to include cites and countries around the world. Craig recently authored a book, Rethinking Reason with the premise: “With so many different faiths, does someone have to be wrong for some to be right.”
Service has been at the forefront of his work since 1988 and he is committed to servant-leadership at home and all over the world. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis and earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Dr. Lawrence Wruble

Dr. Larry Wruble is a recognized leader in the local and national Jewish community, and he has served as president of many local Jewish institutions, including his
synagogue, the day school , the high school among others. He is reputed to be the ultimate fund-raiser for both local and national causes. The local axiom is if you need help go to Larry Wruble. He remains exceptionally vital and innovative and he continues to teach and learn. He is the quintessential gastroenterologist, he has a large private practice while continuing to win teaching awards, the most recent being the Golden Apple Award at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Lawrence Wruble, clinician and teacher deserves to recognized.