(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) — The Multicultural Alliance® (MCA) will honor State Representative Salman Bhojani with the organization’s Annual Award, and former Texas State Senator Beverly Powell with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards, which will be presented at MCA’s Annual Awards Dinner in February 2027, recognize public service, civic leadership and acts that bring people together across differences – qualities that reflect MCA’s longstanding mission to build a more inclusive community. Buddhist monks from Fort Worth’s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, whose 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” inspired millions across the country, will be special guests at the event and offer the Opening Blessing.
“Representative Salman Bhojani and Senator Beverly Powell demonstrate how public service, courageous leadership and a commitment to understanding can strengthen communities,” said JoAnn M. Jensen, board chair of Multicultural Alliance. “Their work reflects the values MCA has advanced for 75 years: honoring the dignity of every person, creating connections across differences and turning shared purpose into meaningful action.”
State Representative Salman Bhojani — Annual Award
After immigrating from Pakistan to Texas as a teenager, Bhojani worked three minimum-wage jobs to help support his family. He went on to become a business owner and attorney and earned degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas, Southern Methodist University and Oxford University.
His path into public service began on the Euless City Council, where he became the first person of color elected to city office. In 2023, he joined the Texas Legislature as one of its first Muslim and South Asian members and the first person of color elected to represent House District 92. In the Legislature, Bhojani serves as vice chair of the Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee and as a member of the Trade, Workforce and Economic Development Committee and its Workforce Subcommittee.
Beverly Powell — Lifetime Achievement Award
Former Senator Beverly Powell, a fourth-generation Texan, was elected in 2018, serving as the 22nd woman ever elected to the Texas Senate. Powell’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes her public service and her leadership in supporting the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation’s effort to create a new elementary school for the community.
As secretary of the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, Powell traveled across Texas to meet with families, business leaders, educators and philanthropists. She participated in Uvalde CISD School Board presentations and fundraising events supporting the construction of a state-of-the-art, safe and secure learning environment. In October 2025, Uvalde elementary students moved into their new school. Powell is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University, holding a B.S. in Psychology and a M.B.A. in Organizational Leadership.
Opening Blessing – “Walk for Peace” Buddhist Monks
Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth set out in October 2025 on a 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” to Washington, D.C. During the 112-day journey, they traveled across the country, stopping at state capitols and historic landmarks to share their message of peace with millions.
These awards underscore MCA’s commitment to serving as a trusted convener across diverse communities while advancing inclusion, understanding and equity throughout Tarrant County.
MCA 2026 Annual Awardees Ann and Bob Jameson, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Fernando Costa are the most recent of a long, distinguished group of recipients. Here’s the entire list of notable Past Honorees.
Sponsorship Information:
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2027 Awards Gala at www.mcatexas.com, or inquiries can be emailed to Executive@mcatexas.com.
About Multicultural Alliance
The Multicultural Alliance® promotes inclusion, understanding, and equity across all forms of diversity, including race, ethnicity, age, ability and religion. Our goal is to promote an inclusive community, eliminate bias, bigotry, and oppression and encourage understanding and equity of all diversity through shared experiences and educational programming. Through shared experiences, educational programs, advocacy and conflict resolution, the organization works to reduce bias, bigotry, and oppression while fostering dignity, cooperation, mutual understanding and respect among all people.
