Unity Breakfast
Join us for the 51st annual Unity Breakfast on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The 2025 theme is “Humility…Unity…Peace.”
Sponsorship Opportunities are available for the 2025 Unity Breakfast. If you or your business/organization would like to be a sponsor of the Unity Breakfast, download a sponsorship form.
THANK YOU to our 2024 Unity Breakfast Sponsors!
For more information on how you can sponsor the 2025 Unity Breakfast, contact the Human Rights Commission at 270-887-4010 or info@hrchoptown.org.
Hal & Bettye Thurmond Award
Each year a Hal & Bettye Thurmond Award is awarded to an individual or group who’s making a difference to improve the community through their dedication to human relations. This award is presented by the Hopkinsville Human Rights Commission.
Download the Hal & Bettye Thurmond Award Nomination Form (PDF)
Submit the Hal & Bettye Thurmond Award Nomination Form Online
Unity Awards
The Unity Awards are awarded to individuals or groups in the community who contribute to the spirit of unity. These three awards are presented by the Mayor of Hopkinsville (for nominees within the Hopkinsville city limits), Mayor of Oak Grove (for nominees within the Oak Grove city limits), and the Judge Executive of Christian County (for nominees within Christian County).
Download the Hopkinsville Mayor’s Unity Award Nomination Form (PDF)
Download the Oak Grove Mayor’s Unity Award Nomination Form (PDF)
Download the Judge’s Unity Award Nomination Form (PDF)
OR
Submit the Hopkinsville Mayor’s Unity Award Nomination Form Online
Submit the Oak Grove Mayor’s Unity Award Nomination Form Online
Bernard Standard Award for Excellence
This award acknowledges outstanding service and devotion that goes above and beyond the call of duty, recognizing an individual who sets a high STANDARD of excellence that has made our community better. This award is presented by the Human Rights Commission.
Download the Bernard Standard Award for Excellence Nomination Form (PDF)
OR
Submit the Bernard Standard Award for Excellence Nomination Form Online
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award recognizes and honors a volunteer for their outstanding service to our community. Christian County residents are invited to nominate a volunteer they believe deserves this meritorious award. This award is presented by HRC’s City of Compassion Committee.
Download the Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination Form (PDF)
OR
Submit the Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination Form Online
2023 Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love Video
2020 Unity Breakfast Virtual Series
2019 Building Community Video
Hal & Bettye Thurmond Award Recipients
2024 Francene Gilmer
2023 Tishauna Douglas
2022 Patricia “Pat” Beliles
2021 Levi Peterson, Jr.
2019 Police Chief Clayton Sumner
2018 Joetta Stewart
2017 Barney Bishop
2016 Bonnie Lynch
2015 Angie Major
2014 Tom Bell
2013 Kurt & Susan Anderson
2012 Rev. Buddy Slaughter
2011 Nikki Durham
2010 Elaine Love
2009 Jesse Quarles
2008 Charles Turner
2007 Suzy Schlegel
2006 Mary Smith
2005 Wally Bryan
2004 Marby Schlegel
2003 Penny Chewning
2002 Wynn & Linda Radford
2001 Wendell Lynch
2000 Garnett Smith
1999 Marlin & Rochelle Anderson
1998 Diane Croney – Turner
1997 Jim & Joyce Adams
1996 Barbara Waggoner
1995 Elizabeth Spencer
1994 Howard Myers
1993 Linda Pearson
1992 Russell Weatherwax
1991 Norman Freeman
1990 Tom C. Steiner
1989 Fannie Louise Maddux
1988 J.T. Lynch
1987 Mary Francis Loving
1986 Roger W. Holloway
1985 J. Raymond Lord
1984 Norma Berens
1982 Eugene Pool
1981 Rev. A.R. Lasley
1980 Frank J. Thomas
1979 Carolyn Self
1978 Joseph V. Rose
1977 K.O. Cayce, Sir
1976 Mamye B. White
1975 Francis Eugene Whitney
1974 Mrs. John Blane, Sr.
1973 Mary Virginia Parrish
Unity Award Recipients
| 2024 | Gwenda Motley (Mayor’s Unity Award); Dawn Patricia Thomas (Judge’s Unity Award) |
| 2023 | Tab Brockman |
| 2022 | Beta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Mayor’s Unity Award) Wynn Radford (Judge’s Unity Award) |
| 2021 | Salvation Army & Jennie Stuart Health (Mayor’s Unity Award) Christian County Health Department (Judge’s Unity Award) |
| 2019 | Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville-Christian County |
| 2018 | Frances Dunbar & Cary Sharber |
| 2017 | Bill & Kaye Munday |
| 2016 | Indian Physicians Alliance for Community Service |
| 2015 | Rev. Dr. M.O. & Renee Fort |
| 2014 | Challenge House Movement |
| 2013 | Isabel Soberal |
| 2012 | Graham and Rita Harvey |
| 2011 | Jim Wisby |
| 2010 | Dr. Vernell Larkin |
| 2009 | Wally Bryan |
| 2008 | Matthew Harris |
| 2007 | Inner City Advisory Committee |
Bernard Standard Award for Excellence Recipients
| 2024 | Steve Tribble |
| 2023 | Dr. Kevin Felton |
| 2022 | Alisa Barton |
| 2021 | Dr. Alissa Young |
| 2019 | Bernard Standard |
Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients
| 2024 | Thomas A. Sims Lodge #170 |
| 2023 | Mindy Hargrove |
| 2022 | Charles Turner |
| 2021 | Hopkinsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. |
| 2019 | Boys & Girls Club Board |
| 2018 | CCHS AFJROTC |