Marilyn Alexander, general manager of the Comfort Inn Hotel in Pembroke, Ontario, is the first time recipient of the Women’s Business Alliance of Choice Hotels’ Woman of the Year Award. Alexander, who competed against women general managers and hotel operators from around the world, was recognized for her actions, personal values and ethics. The award was presented to her at the 54th Choice Hotels International annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Diversity Edge magazine has announced its 2008 Best Companies for Diverse Graduates. The list topped by Merrill Lynch recognizes companies that have shown leadership in recruiting, retaining, and advancing the careers of diverse professionals.  For the complete line-up, go to http://www.thediversityedge.com/.

The Minority Corporate Counsel (MCCA) presented its Employer Choice Awards during its 2008 Mid-Atlantic Region Diversity Dinner last month. This year’s winners are Bank of America Corporation and Freddie Mac. The dinner was preceded by a panel discussion of diversity best practices.

The California Wellness Foundation handed out its 2008 Champions of Health Professions Diversity Awards to three leaders who helped reduce entry barriers and ensure the success of underrepresented minorities in the health workforce. This year’s winners—Juanita Barrena (Sacramento State), David Hayes-Bautista (University of California, Los Angeles) and Linda Squires-Grohe (City College, San Francisco)—were presented with $25,000 each at the 6th Annual Champions of Health Professions Diversity Awards Ceremony in San Francisco last month.

The law firm Plunkett Cooney was recently honored as one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity for 2008 by MultiCultural Law Magazine, an annual legal publication that acknowledges leading law firms for diversity and highlights successful minority and women lawyers. Henry B. Cooney, President and CEO of Plunkett Cooney said, “It is important to embrace our differences and continue to explore ways to enhance diversity in our firm and the legal industry.”

A report by Race for Opportunity, a network that promotes racial diversity in the workplace, ranked Lloyds TSB at number one. The study based on information provided by 85 of the group's 170 members represents a combined workforce of 1.6 million people.  Mike Fairey, the bank's deputy chief executive, said: "At Lloyds TSB, diversity is on the agenda at the most senior levels in the organization, and by taking part in the benchmarking report, we want to ensure the bar continues to be raised for diversity best practices.”

Journalist Robin Washington is the first recipient of the Be’chol Lashon Media Award for his “excellence and passion in bringing the stories of Jews of color to mainstream American print and broadcast media over his thirty-year career.” Be’chol Lashon is an initiative of the Institute for Jewish & Community Research.

The Mountain High resort in Southern California picked up the 2008 Diversity Leadership Award from Ski Area Management (SAM) because its signage, food, amenities and events reflect the diversity of its visitors. In accepting the award, Mountain High Director of Marketing John McColly said, “Minorities will become the majority in the next 25 years and reaching out to them is crucial to the growth of our industry.”

Bishop William H. Graves has become the first black American to receive a full five-year term on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board in its 75-year history. His nomination had been held up for five months by Senate Majority leader Harry Reid who said he wanted more representatives from both political parties on the TVA board. Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander blocked Reid’s nomination to the U.S. Institute of Peace until Reid relented on Graves.