C4D ride was a shining example
The
second annual Cycling 4Diversity journey from Mission to Victoria has
been successfully completed. The C4D team left May 22 and arrived into
Victoria on May 25.
The four-day journey saw the team travel 200 km, visiting nine cities with 40 presentations relaying the message to thousands of people. The team was welcomed by students, government officials and the public during "Cycling 4Diversity Week" in British Columbia from May 20-26.
Cycling 4Diversity was created last year when I decided to form a team to spread the message that we need to not only speak about diversity but also take a look at whether we are celebrating it.
Over the last several years, I have received feedback from readers that show there are some growing issues that need to be addressed.
Many people supported the concept of C4D last year on how we delivered a message in a unique way that captured the imagination of many British Columbians.
I was encouraged to do it again this year and in the process the initiative has grown tremendously. C4D is reflected by a team of individuals who believe in the message of diversity, culture and the need to address issues regarding racism.
This year the team received eight proclamations from local governments and the province of British Columbia.
What's encouraging about the C4D story is that level of support was strong in all the communities we were welcomed in: Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria.
A number of students along the way asked, "How long have you all known each other?" The riders responded that many of us only met the morning of the ride.
This proves that in order to work together to accomplish something positive, people don't have to know one another.
There were seven core cyclists and many people who joined in on their bikes and supported the team in delivering the message.
The team that traveled to Victoria included: Abbotsford Deputy Police Chief Rick Lucy, Abbotsford City Coun. Bill MacGregor, Sukhi Dhami, Harpreet Singh and Raj Patara.
Kulwinder Singh Dhillon also joined our group of cyclists with his motorcycle, riding the entire way. We were a small team in numbers, but with a big, powerful message.
Diversity is about working as a team, and I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such fine individuals who are passionate about building a vibrant, multicultural society.
Sarina Di Martino Derksen, C4D executive coordinator, who worked extremely hard to make this second annual event a success, is already busy planning for the C4D ride next May.
Her vision and commitment took it to a new level and we're looking forward to next year. Di Martino Derksen said: "We only had a couple of short months to plan this entire ride and I'm thrilled with the success of it.
"The support from local service providers and sponsors were incredible. I was deeply moved to see how many people believed in this important message that we were honoured to carry throughout our communities."
Behind the scenes were our incredible camera crew, who consisted of Dwayne De Sousa, co-owner of Kapish New Media Inc., Sheldon Carvalho, Netzah Garcia, owner of Simply Silly Studios and Deesh Sekhon, owner of Deesh Photography.
The C4D initiative is committed to celebrating diversity and discussing related issues throughout the year, and to building bridges of dialogue, one city at a time.
Ken Herar is a freelance columnist with the Times. Contact him at : kenherar@gmail.com.
The four-day journey saw the team travel 200 km, visiting nine cities with 40 presentations relaying the message to thousands of people. The team was welcomed by students, government officials and the public during "Cycling 4Diversity Week" in British Columbia from May 20-26.
Cycling 4Diversity was created last year when I decided to form a team to spread the message that we need to not only speak about diversity but also take a look at whether we are celebrating it.
Over the last several years, I have received feedback from readers that show there are some growing issues that need to be addressed.
Many people supported the concept of C4D last year on how we delivered a message in a unique way that captured the imagination of many British Columbians.
I was encouraged to do it again this year and in the process the initiative has grown tremendously. C4D is reflected by a team of individuals who believe in the message of diversity, culture and the need to address issues regarding racism.
This year the team received eight proclamations from local governments and the province of British Columbia.
What's encouraging about the C4D story is that level of support was strong in all the communities we were welcomed in: Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria.
A number of students along the way asked, "How long have you all known each other?" The riders responded that many of us only met the morning of the ride.
This proves that in order to work together to accomplish something positive, people don't have to know one another.
There were seven core cyclists and many people who joined in on their bikes and supported the team in delivering the message.
The team that traveled to Victoria included: Abbotsford Deputy Police Chief Rick Lucy, Abbotsford City Coun. Bill MacGregor, Sukhi Dhami, Harpreet Singh and Raj Patara.
Kulwinder Singh Dhillon also joined our group of cyclists with his motorcycle, riding the entire way. We were a small team in numbers, but with a big, powerful message.
Diversity is about working as a team, and I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such fine individuals who are passionate about building a vibrant, multicultural society.
Sarina Di Martino Derksen, C4D executive coordinator, who worked extremely hard to make this second annual event a success, is already busy planning for the C4D ride next May.
Her vision and commitment took it to a new level and we're looking forward to next year. Di Martino Derksen said: "We only had a couple of short months to plan this entire ride and I'm thrilled with the success of it.
"The support from local service providers and sponsors were incredible. I was deeply moved to see how many people believed in this important message that we were honoured to carry throughout our communities."
Behind the scenes were our incredible camera crew, who consisted of Dwayne De Sousa, co-owner of Kapish New Media Inc., Sheldon Carvalho, Netzah Garcia, owner of Simply Silly Studios and Deesh Sekhon, owner of Deesh Photography.
The C4D initiative is committed to celebrating diversity and discussing related issues throughout the year, and to building bridges of dialogue, one city at a time.
Ken Herar is a freelance columnist with the Times. Contact him at : kenherar@gmail.com.
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