Angela Ankoma, center, receives an award for her volunteer efforts for the African Alliance of Rhode Island. Julius Kolawole, left, president of the African Alliance of Rhode Island, holds a certificate from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Jim Vincent, head of the local branch of the NAACP, helped make the presentations, in a ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Marriott in Providence. Both Whitehouse and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza spoke at the gathering, voicing support for the diversity of the Rhode Island community. Richard Asinof of ConvergenceRI also received a volunteer award for his coverage of the African Alliance of RI.