Human Relations Commission Names Humanitarian Award Recipient In Ames City

Press release from the City of Ames:

January 20, 2021

The Ames Human Relations Commission named Charles Grim as the recipient of its 2021 Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes and honors a worthy individual whose contributions to the Ames community demonstrate extraordinary quality, especially in efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Jill Crosser, chair of the Human Relations Commission, presented Grim with the award at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration held virtually via Facebook Live on Monday, Jan. 18.

Grim has been teaching elementary music for more than 32 years including 22 years with the Ames Community School District. Through his teaching, Grim has engaged others in efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity through the voices of children. Not only has he impacted students in diverse classroom settings, he has brought students and their parents together to learn about Dr. King's work through leading a student performance at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. Each year the number of students volunteering to perform at the celebration has increased. As a result, the number of parents attending has increased as well, and each year they learn about the life, legacy, and impact of Dr. King and how that impact can continue.

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.