DIVERSITY AWARDS, which celebrated its 10th year on November 3, 2002, is sponsored by The Multicultural Motion Picture Association (MMPA) to celebrate diversity in movies and TV.
Also known as the "Little Oscars" of the world's most important motion picture and TV industry, the proceedings of the celebration night go to benefit MMPA's Educational and Development Scholarship Fund.
WHO participated?
Metin Bereketli participated in this wortwhile black-tie celebration by donating one of his famous DIVERSITY series of paintings, celebrating the essential unity of world cultures and religions. Metin's DIVERSITY painting will also adorn the brand new DIVERSITY AWARDS CALENDAR.
The gala was co-hosted by two immensely talented Hollywood personalities, Leeza Gibbons and George Lopez. The celebrations included a silent auction and musical performances by renowned songstress Oleta Adams, and the sensational voice of David Benoit.
The breakout star of the SCORPION KING, The Rock received the 2002 Nova Award as the voters' choice for rising star in 2002.
Other film winners included the Integrity Award to Academy Award-nominee Michael Clarke Duncan, the Spirit Award to to critically-acclaimed actress and star Erika Christensen, the Female Nova Award to up-and-coming ingenue Rosario Dawson, the Innovator Award to multi-talented actor Matthew Lillard.
In the TV category, Lifetime Television received the 2002 Diverse Network Programming Award, given to a network whose diverse state of programming reflects the make-up of our society.
Additional kudos went to CBS's BECKER, Favorite Comedy Ensemble; the cast of THE WEST WING, Favorite Drama Ensemble, and to David E. Kelley's cast of BOSTON PUBLIC for Diverse TV Ensemble.