SDCE President Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D. (right) during SDCE Community Luncheon with philanthropist: Andre Tran, President, John Harvard Academy

San Diego, CA. —San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) President Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D. will be recognized during the “Annual 79th District Community Recognition Ceremony”, on Friday, August 11, 2017 at the Malcolm X/Valencia Park Public Library.

California's 79th State Assembly district is represented by Democratic political leader Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. Dr. Weber’s yearly celebration honors women and men who have made significant contributions to the southeastern San Diegocommunity.

President Turner Cortez is a long-time educational leader with a strong commitment to social justice. As an educator with Teach For America he witnessed the injustice inside classrooms and saw first-hand hardships in urban communities.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader making a difference in San Diego,” said President Cortez. “Assemblymember Weber is known for her advocacy in closing the achievement gap and supporting a higher standard of excellence in education. As I am also deeply committed to this work, there is tremendous pride in receiving the award from Dr. Weber. ”

In 2015, Cortez was named President of SDCE, the largest noncredit adult educational institution in the nation, and since then has led the charge for more on-campus resources that support the large populations who come from rural areas and inner-cities looking for socioeconomic mobility. SDCE offers California residents age 18+ more than 60 free short-term career certificate programs and thousands of free classes including Citizenship, English as a Second Language (ESL) and High School Diploma/Equivalency.

Date: Friday, August 11, 2017

Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Malcolm X/Valencia Park Public Library

5148 Market Street

San Diego, CA 92114

Program:

2:45 p.m. Doors Open

3:00 p.m. Welcome by Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber

3:15 p.m. District Honorees:

Exceptional Men in Leadership

Non-Profit of the Year

The Small Business of the Year

The Veteran of the Year

Scholarship Recipients

Young Legislators

President Turner Cortez will be onsite for interviews from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, please see www.a79.asmdc.org