COEUR d’ALENE — The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations held its 25th annual banquet in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday night.  

The banquet featured keynote speaker Cheryl Brown Henderson, founder of the Brown Foundation. Henderson gave a presentation titled “Brown v. Board of Education: The Legacy Continues,” highlighting the implications of the landmark Supreme Court case that was named after her father, who was one of many plaintiffs in the case.  

“I’m afraid there is a movement afoot to destroy public education,” said Henderson, as she spoke on recent controversies over school vouchers, book bans and other topics. Henderson took the time to emphasize the importance of education for all during her speech.  

“Our country has had many opportunities for us to not be having this conversation tonight,” said Henderson. “Education is the cornerstone of democracy ... and democracy gave birth to the rule of law.”  

KCTFHR also presented the Coeur d’Alene Tribe with their annual Civil Rights Award during Saturday’s banquet. 

The award is given out yearly to organizations or individuals with “deep commitment to human rights, strong support for equality, demonstrates courage and convictions in advancing human rights and never remains silent in the face of hate,” wrote KCTFHR.  

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has always been here and always will be,” KCTFHR wrote in a tribute to the Tribe. “The Tribe will never back down in the face of wrongdoing. The Tribe and its leadership will continue to advocate for the equal, respectful treatment of all members of the community.”  

The Bill Wassmuth Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Scott Kennedy, who has worked closely with KCTFHR through volunteer work for many years.  

    Keynote speaker Cheryl Brown Henderson addresses the crowd during the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations 25th annual banquet in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday night.