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WHEREAS, it is important to recognize people who tirelessly work to educate others about the importance of diversity in the workplace, and Mr. Akmed Khalifa has found a increase diversity awareness for people of all ages through an exciting new way; and
WHEREAS, Akmed Khalifa was born on November 16, 1946 and raised in the Homewood area of Pittsburgh where he graduated from Westinghouse High School and went on to attended Howard University and Point Park University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Khalifa is the author of Cult of the Imaginary Circle, an engrossing novel which was described as a "modern day Lord of the Flies." This true story is the harrowing tale of his experiences growing up in Homewood and aspiring to playing football for Westinghouse High School. Mr. Khalifa and his fantastic novel were featured on "Black Horizons" with Chris Moore; and
WHEREAS, Akmed Khalifa currently works as a consultant for a financial cooperative in Minneapolis, Minnesota and performs his fantastic diversity trainings in for city employees in Minneapolis. He will be returning to Pittsburgh again in May when he is honored be the Keynote Speaker at the 4th annual dinner of Working Women with Disabilities in May; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Khalifa used his experiences as a minority business owner and his many years of dedicated involvement in his community to guide his creation of Divesityopoly, a board game modeled after Monopoly that educates people on how to respect diversity in the workplace. Diversityopoly was featured in the December 2006 issue of Pittsburgh Magazine; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and salute him for his work to increase inclusiveness in business for minority owned firms throughout the City of Pittsburgh and the nation.