Race Relations and Diversity Task Force Gear Up for April With Children's Opera

April is a big month for Birmingham's Race Relations and Diversity Task Force and they're kicking things off with a theater performance about diversity and tolerance perfect for kids.

The Araboolies of Liberty Street, based on the award-winning children's book of the same name, will be put on by the Michigan Opera Theatre next week at Baldwin Public Library. 

This one-act children's opera tells the story of the Araboolies, who move onto Liberty Street and shake up the world ruled by General Pinch, who threaten residents with an army invasion if they don't follow his strict rules. 

"The children hatch a plan of revolution and bring liberty to Libery Street," a summary from www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org reads.

The performance, which starts at 2 p.m. April 2, is a collaboration between the task force and Baldwin Public Library. All ages are wecome and parents should call 248-554-5470 to register.

But that's not all the Task Force has in store for April. A sponsored group of The Community House, the Race Relations and Diversity Task Force will also be hosting its annual Diversity Champions Breakfast on April 25. 

Now in its 14th year, the Diversity Champion Honor Roll Breakfast is meant to foster a discussion on diversity, tolerance and inclusion. Honored individuals "make an invaluable contribution by helping to ensure that all people feel included and empowered in the shared endeavors of (an) organization and in our larger community."

The 2013 breakfast starts at 8 a.m. April 25 at The Community House. Reservations are required. Visit the Task Force's website for more.

The 2012 Diversity Champions class was made up of representatives from area churches, schools and non-profits, including a group of students from Seaholm High School who fought against bullying as part of the Birmingham Voice. The honorees included:

• Holly Arida from Cranbrook Schools
• Charles Shaw from Cranbrook Schools
• London Bell from the Ferndale-based group, Affirmations
• Jami Brown from Greenfield Elementary School
• Judith Burkhardt from the St Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Community
• Caroline E. Chambers from Comerica Bank
• Timmy Christensen from Seaholm's Birmingham Voice
• Eboni Clemoens from Seaholm's Birmingham Voice
• Sam Corey from Seaholm's Birmingham Voice
• Nick Resnick from Seaholm's Birmingham Voice
• Rebecca Rosen from Seaholm's Birmingham Voice
• Mark Dziatczak from Troy High School
• Brian Flaggs from West Bloomfield Schools
• Argenia Ford from the American Association of University Women, Birmingham
• Richard Gleason from the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham
• Carl Hankins from the Blackwell Institute
• Sara Hanna from Oakland Community College
• LaVar Harris from the Detroit Regional Chamber
• Ryan Hertz from the South Oakland Shelter
• Fran Hildebrandt from WISDOM
• Candye Hinton from the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency
• Annie Honore from the Dr. Joseph F. Pollack Academic Center of Excellence
• Larry Jcak from PFLAF Detroit
• Arlene Kass from the FAR Conservatory of  Therapeutic and Performing Arts
• Ann Kovl from the Beaumont Health System
• Tony Kratofil from the Michigan Department of Transportation
• John Lawson from Groves High School
• Anne Leslie from Friends of Different Learners
• Lisa Machesky from the Baldwin Center
• Rev. Davd Mastrangelo frm Loyola High School
• Paige Moore from the First Baptist Church of Birmingham
• Maureen Mulcrone from the Mercy Education Project
• Barby Nixon from Baldwin Public Library
• L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive
• Talbot Payne from The Community House's International Community Club
• Mary Pickett from the League of Women Voters Oakland Area
• Richard Teets from the League of Women Voters Oakland Area
• Kenneth T. Ponds from Starr Commonwealth
• Ryan Rosario from the Filipino American Community Council
• Euni Rose from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force
• Suzanne Simon from the Nationan Council of Jewish Women
• Rev. Charlotte Sommers from Northminister Presbyterian
• Caroline Spencer from the Birmingham Covington School
• Christine Tvaroha from Bloomfield Township
• Cynthia T. Walker from the Women Officials Network Foundation
• Josetta Wood from the American Associatoin of University Women, Rochester
• Pamela Zajac from United We Walk