President Martin Honored as a "Diversity Trailblazer"

CTK President Clem Martin was recognized as a "diversity trailblazer" by Barnes & Thornburg LLP at the 8th Annual Celebration of Diversity Awards event on August 16th. The ceremony recognized leaders who have exhibited a personal and professional commitment to diversity, justice and civil rights. Fellow honorees were The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Founder and President of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and Joset Wright-Levy, President, of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Barnes & Thornburg Partner, Stephen Fatum’s introduction of President Martin included the following: “Clem unites people from all over Chicago around a shared goal: high-quality education for our young people on the West Side to help them realize their dreams.” He went on to add, “Under Clem’s leadership, Christ the King is now celebrating its 10th year as a beacon of hope on the West Side of Chicago.”

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Martin spoke of the challenges his mother faced and overcame as a Mexican immigrant. She, as well as three of her siblings, became teachers, and served as his inspiration for a career in education. Mr. Martin remarked, "Just as my mom learned about worlds outside her barrio through books, our students get to explore the corporate world through our internship program, working five days a month in offices across the city and Chicagoland area, which not only pays for their education, but also builds bridges to worlds of opportunity. These opportunities, working alongside professional like you, produce the sparks that will hopefully ignite their passions and inspire them to achieve great things."

More information on the event is available in the accompanying release from Barnes & Thornburg.