Prince George lawyer Ben Levine is this year's winner of the Canadian Bar Association - B.C.'s Equality and Diversity Award.
The award goes to a CBABC member who has contributed significantly to advancing race, disability, sexual orientation, gender or other diversity issues in their communities.
Levine, who has been a lawyer in Prince George since 2001, was a president of the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society for four years, has volunteered with the Native Friendship Centre providing legal services at no cost, known as pro bono, and is involved in the Prince George Filipino-Canadian Association. He was also the liaison for Chinese-Taipei during the World Baseball Challenge this summer.
Levine said he not the only one involved in advancing multiculturalism in Prince George.
"There is a staff at IMSS, there's a board at IMSS, all volunteer. The Native Friendship Centre, they do important work in this community," Levine said. "I'm just one among many, I've been recognized today, I'm grateful for that, but I want to take part in my community."
CBABC past-president Kerry Simmons presented the award to Levine during the IMSS annual general meeting on Friday evening.
"He's made significant contributions, both with pro bono and also being engaged in this community," Simmons said. "He's really just rose to the top."
