Arzell Papazell Nelson (2011-12)
Arzell Nelson was born and brought up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He retired as the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and served as a Cultural/Ethnic Diversity Consultant. He has been with programs such as Share Food, which involved food distribution to poor and working class citizens at minimum cost. He was also involved with "Back On the Block" program to provide education, recreation and employment opportunities to youth and young adults between the ages of 14 to 25 years. With Police/Safety and Community Relations program, he gave training to police personnel, fire personnel and citizens in the area of Cultural Diversity, Crisis Intervention and Human Relations. The Governor George Voinovich of Ohio recognized his work by proclamation on two different occasions for his civic leadership and for promoting cultural diversity. President Clinton of the United States recognized Arzell with two letters of appreciation for his services rendered in the area of human relations. He is currently working on a film documentary and TV series called "Don't Count Me Out" that will address the issue of Violence against "Women & Children". Arzell is also a part of the Health-Care Connection that sponsors a benefit concert every year to raise money for those who cannot afford the medicine and care for Diabetes. He is also into music composition and has won an award at the Ohio Valley and Kool Jazz Festival for his musical "Little Boy Jazz," performed at the Tony Award Winning Theater "The Marx at The Playhouse in the Park" and Culan's Music Humanitarian Award.Saskia Laroo (2010-11)
Saskia Laroo was born in Amsterdam and is a musician. She feels her music symbolizes Social Justice and Citizen Action because she combines music styles from different cultures with and for people of various age and background (social, religious, political) to create common grounds so that an environment of understanding, communication, acceptation and peace for each other's culture can be created. She strongly feels that all of us should try and find ways and means of helping each other- not just our neighbors or family members, but every person we meet in our daily life. She believes that there is a purpose in her art, and music would definitely help in promoting peace and harmony in the world. Her shows in India were a mix of regional music from the places she visited. She has also tried to fight against terrorism through a new concept called 'Jazz for Peace.' After the Mumbai terrorist attacks and warnings, she came to Mumbai to perform as defiance to terrorism. She performed across India, helping panicky citizens to overcome their fear and apprehension. She feels that music created together by all musicians of the world, in unison reflecting different cultures, can serve as a small but effective tool towards erasing the wrongs and doing the right things.