SAN DIEGO – In celebration of LGBT Pride Month and as part of its ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank has partnered with KPBS to honor two inspiring local heroes. The 2016 LGBT Pride Month honorees are: Jonathan Bailey, volunteer and event co-chair, Mama’s Kitchen; and Mattheus E. Stephens, attorney, Progressive Law Group. The honorees will be recognized at a private dinner with their families and executives from KPBS and Union Bank.
Since 1998, KPBS and Union Bank have collaborated on the Local Heroes program and recognized more than 200 honorees. The program pays tribute to exemplary leaders who are making a difference and enriching the lives of others by improving their community, region and the world at large. The 2016 LGBT Pride Month honorees demonstrate a shared commitment to providing their communities with the tools to thrive in today’s changing world.
In addition to LGBT Pride Month during June, Union Bank and KPBS recognized local heroes during Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Jewish American Heritage Month (May) and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May). Honorees will also be celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month (September/October), Disability Awareness Month (October), and American Indian Heritage Month (November).
“Union Bank celebrates the extensive volunteerism and contributions of these local heroes,” said Union Bank Regional President Robbin Narike Preciado. “The honorees embody our company’s core values for giving back, and we are pleased to honor them and highlight their commitment and dedication.”
“These honorees have worked tirelessly to enhance the local LGBT community and our community at large,” said Tom Karlo, KPBS general manager. “We are proud to join with Union Bank to honor their exemplary service during LGBT Pride Month.”
Jonathan Bailey has volunteered his time and energy to Mama’s Kitchen, a non-profit devoted to preparing and delivering nutritious meals to more than 1,400 people living with AIDS or cancer who are too sick to shop and cook for themselves. He recently co-chaired the organization’s 25th anniversary event, which raised more than $225,000 and mobilized many volunteers and supporters. Bailey also founded the i.d.e.a. agency in San Diego and currently serves as its chief relationships officer. He has won numerous awards from the San Diego AdClub as well as PRSA San Diego.
Mattheus E. Stephens, Esq., founding partner of Progressive Law Group, has focused his work on the defense of civil personal liberties and the fight to end discrimination. In addition, he has served as a lecturer at the University of California’s San Diego campus for more than a decade. Stephens specializes in general civil litigation and has handled a wide range of cases involving business disputes, employment issues, civil rights claims, intellectual property and real property disputes, and unregistered domestic partnership dissolutions. Stephens combines the practice of law with community service, which includes being a founding member and former co-president of the Tom Homann Law Association, San Diego’s gay, lesbian and bisexual bar association. Stephens is a winner of the Gloria Steinem Communications Award and the San Diego County Bar Association Community Service Award.
KPBS features a wide range of programming during LGBT Pride Month. For more information or to nominate a future local hero, please visit: www.kpbs.org/heroes or unionbank.com/heroes.
