Hickory Community Relations Council recognizes 2025 Human Relations Award winners
The City of Hickory Community Relations Council (CRC) honored the recipients of the CRC’s Human Relations Awards during the Hickory Multicultural Festival held in downtown Hickory on April 26.
The annual Human Relations Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses that go “above and beyond” in promoting good human relations in the City of Hickory.
Congratulations to this year’s three award recipients, the HOPE Garden at Corinth Church, Laci LeBlanc, and Krish Shah.
The Corinth HOPE (Help Our People Eat) Garden has been involved in providing fresh vegetables and fruit to individuals and organizations like the Hickory Soup Kitchen and PACE since 2010. HOPE’s fresh produce provides nutrition for those less fortunate and helps maintain good health.
Laci LeBlanc is the Hickory-based community organizer who single-handedly brainstormed and continues to manage Love Is A Verb, a grassroots community group that provides an online platform for people to reach out with their needs and for supporters to provide them. Needs include financial aid in a crisis and essential items. Volunteers then assist with distribution. Her nomination stated that she is very kind and actively in touch with those who need a little extra help in the Hickory community.
Krish Shah is a student at St. Stephens High School. Despite being in the U.S. for only a few years, he has built a reputation as a social and impactful individual who contributes to his school and the community. In academics, he is described as a self-motivated leader who actively participates in class discussions, group activities, and peer mentoring. He serves as the Student Council Vice President for 2025 and is a member of the Hickory Youth Council Advisory Board. He is also involved in extracurricular activities, including the tennis team and organizing events like the Cultural Celebration at St. Stephens High School, which promotes cultural diversity. He supports teen entrepreneurship by helping students promote their businesses within the community. His commitment to learning, leadership, and community service demonstrates his potential for a bright future and continued positive impact.
The City of Hickory and the CRC congratulate the Human Relations Award recipients and commend them for the important work they do to bring people together and better the community.
For more information about the Community Relations Council or the Human Relations Awards, please contact staff liaison Captain Philip Demas with the Hickory Police Department at pdemas@hickorync.gov or 828-261-2608.