WADA schedules 9-11 event, Phoenix Awards

The Warehouse Arts District Association’s annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony, on Sept. 11, will have a new component this year: The inaugural Phoenix Awards, celebrating “local heroes” who have, in the words of WADA director Markus Gottschlich, “demonstrated extraordinary acts of sacrifice and service.”

The 9 a.m. ceremony is held at the RISE Monument, which includes a small section of steel recovered from the World Trade Center, on the ArtsXchange campus at 515 22nd Street South.

“In creating this award, we wanted to underscore the ongoing relevance of what the RISE monument represents,” Gottschlich said, “the selfless dedication of the first responders after the events of 9/11. Our aim was to recognize and honor individuals in our community who embody that same spirit of courage and selflessness today.”

Community members were asked to nominate potential award winners. “We received over a dozen deserving nominations for the award,” Gottschlich explained. “The selection committee carefully reviewed each nomination to choose the recipients.”

Phoenix Award winner Zulgeil Ruiz Ginés, LM, CPM is a midwife, educator and advocate for culturally safe midwifery care. She is also the founder of the Kolibrí International Birth Institute.

Those to be honored are:

Zulgeil Ruiz Ginés, LM, CPM: A midwife, educator and advocate for culturally safe midwifery care, serving low-income and historically underserved women of color in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. She is also the founder of the Kolibrí International Birth Institute (KIBI).

Colonel Jay Powers (Ret): With 22 years as a Special Forces Green Beret, Powers led nine combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, earning five Bronze Stars for Valor. Since retiring, he serves as a high school wrestling coach, leadership instructor for the USF Office of Corporate Education and Chief Operations Officer for Tampa Bay Wave.

David Manson: A professor of music at St. Petersburg College, Manson – a composer, trombonist and bandleader – co-founded SPC’s MIRA (Music Industry/Recording Arts) program. He also produces the annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, and through his EMIT series has brought more than 500 concerts and workshops to the area.

Added Gottschlich: “We believe it is essential to celebrate and support those who make significant contributions to our communities, often without recognition. These unsung heroes work tirelessly every day, and this award is our way of shining a light on their invaluable efforts.”

The Sept. 11 program will feature speeches from Kevin Lockerbie, President and Head of School, Admiral Farragut Academy; Celeste Davis, Director of Arts, Culture, and Tourism for the City of St. Petersburg; Colonel Jim “OB” O’Brien (retired), MacDill Air Force Base; Jerry Lavely, Retired US Special Operations’ and Mark Aeling, sculptor and president of the WADA board. Aeling designed and built the RISE Monument.

The ceremony will also include a performance of the National Anthem, an invocation, and presentations by Admiral Farragut students.

The event is free and open to the public, although RSVPs (here) are encouraged.