“It’s a privilege to be amongst this years Faces of Success award members,” Senator Raoul said. “I share the commitment of the other honorees and the March of Dimes as we work together to embrace those issues we have in common rather than those which divide us.”

The award was given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, support for workplace initiatives that embrace local and global diversity, or initiated innovative programs that teach cultural competence and community building.

Raoul launched the Rural-Urban Exchange in hopes of finding common ground on issues that connect urban and rural districts, build coalitions and bring about greater cooperation in the State Capitol and throughout Illinois.

The program launched last fall at Southside Chicago’s Kenwood High School, where a busload of Chicago leaders and influential decision makers embarked upon a 3-day trip to downstate’s Jefferson County. While in Jefferson County, the group toured farms and other agriculture related operations, local schools, health care facilities, law enforcement headquarters and more. A month later a group of rural leaders journeyed to Chicago. The trip culminated in a forum where both delegations discussed the impact of the trips on their personal viewpoints and ways that the newly formed relationships will move forward.

The Senator’s wife, Kali Evans-Raoul, accepted the award on his behalf. Raoul is currently in Israel with a group of African-American Leaders for an Educational Seminar hosted by the American Israel Education Foundation.

Other “Faces of Our Success” award winners included Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth.