Honour for city's race champion; AWARD: Praise from civil rights legend.Byline: By Patrice John A BIRMINGHAM campaigner who championed racial equality for more than two decades has been commended by American civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson Noun 1. Jesse Jackson - United States civil rights leader who led a national campaign against racial discrimination and ran for presidential nomination (born in 1941) Jesse Louis Jackson, Jackson . Maxie Hayles met Rev Jackson when he came to Aston on Sunday, but had no idea he was going to receive high praise. Mr Hayles, chairman of Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Mr Jackson at Mount Zion Mount Zion celestial city. [Br. Lit.: Pilgrim’s Progress] See : Heaven Community Church. The father-of-two, married to wife Ines for 35 years, said: "Receiving this award completely blew me away. "I met Tony Blair Noun 1. Tony Blair - British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, Blair when he was Prime Minister and have received other awards but this is something totally different. "I was in shock but I am very, very proud to have received this. It is not every day that someone like the Rev Jesse Jackson gives you something like this. "He is an icon and a man who spent time with Dr Martin Luther King, and he ran for the US presidency twice. "I have been given awards before but this one tops them all and it is a real bonus for me." Mr Jackson visited Mount Zion Church as part of the Equanomics Annual Convention. The movement commemorates leaders who champion equality and economic justice and organisers cite Dr Martin Luther King and Mahatma mahatma (məhăt`mə, –hät`–) [Sanskrit,=great-souled], honorific title used in India among Hindus for a person of superior holiness. Mohandas Gandhi is the best-known figure to whom the title was applied. Gandhi as mentors. Mr Hayles, who lives in Oldbury, was presented with the award by Mr Jackson on behalf of The 1990 Trust, which champions the interests of Britain's black communities. He was also presented with the Prime Minister's National Active Community Award in 2000 and with the Diversity Community Elder Award in the same year. The racial attacks unit was also nominated nom·i·nate tr.v. nom·i·nat·ed, nom·i·nat·ing, nom·i·nates 1. To propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. 2. To designate or appoint to an office, responsibility, or honor. for the Human Rights Award in 1998. Mr Hayles, who has a daughter called Angeline and a son called Maxie Junior, also wanted to thank his wife for her support throughout the years and said: "I have got to thank my wife for her tolerance and her patience over the years. "There are times when I have been away travelling because of work but she has been so patient. "I have to show her maximum respect." CAPTION(S): Maxie Hayles was presented with an achievement award by the Rev Jesse Jackson, below.; EL011208LIFE-3 |
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