Brian Greenspun describes the contributions of some special people who are in an Urban League of our own

Tuesday, June 27, 2006 | 8:38 a.m.

We are all in league together.

There was a time when such a meeting would spell trouble. But Sunday night the 750 people who gathered at the Bellagio to celebrate the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League meant something much different. For being in league with this 96-year-old institution that empowers people and their communities is the kind of place everyone should want to be.

As a decadeslong practitioner of the Sunday night through Saturday night going to every dinner for every worthy cause - whether you want to or not - crowd, I consider myself an expert about such things. I can tell you Sunday night fit right up there at the top of the list of the kind of events that speak well and loudly about our community.

If there was one overriding reason for Sunday night's success it was a woman, small in stature but towering in status as the only person who could have pulled this together. Her name is Jacqulyn Shropshire, and she is a relatively recent arrival to Las Vegas.

When she decided that the Urban League belonged in our community, one of her first calls was to my friend Vernon Jordan. I am sure everyone knows who Vernon is, which means you understand how close to impossible it was to get him to come to Las Vegas to present the first Vernon E. Jordan Jr. Civic Award to Bobby Siller. Nothing is impossible, though.

As Vernon deadpanned that evening, "Jacqulyn is a woman to whom you just do not say no." That explained it all and that explained why everyone else was in that beautiful room doing what they could to help the Urban League's long tradition of service to others take root in our young and growing community.

It is not a coincidence that Bobby Siller received the Vernon Jordan Award. Nor should it be any surprise that the MGM-Mirage was presented the First Corporate Partner Award. It was not that long ago that Mr. Siller, after retiring from an outstanding career with the FBI, was appointed to the state Gaming Control Board. From his position at or near the top of the gaming apparatus of this state, he took it upon himself to raise the level of understanding about diversity in the workplace and the boardrooms of Nevada's major gaming companies.

Terry Lanni, the MGM-Mirage chairman, was one of the first to visit with Siller. He has been a prime example of leadership on this issue, and MGM-Mirage has been better served, as has the rest of the industry that took Lanni's lead to make sure this state did what was right. Now, those companies that do not advance diversity in their workforces, among their customers and in their boardrooms, are the exceptions rather than the rule.

There were three other award recipients Sunday night who must be acknowledged. Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates was recognized with the Dr. William Pearson Community Service Award. Doc Pearson was an early and steadfast leader in Las Vegas in the days when "understanding" among the various populations in this valley was, let's say, challenging. He never gave up, and it is appropriate that Commissioner Atkinson Gates is the first recipient of this properly named award because she is, and always has been, a fighter for the good cause.

Maureen Peckman, a young woman I have grown to admire for her own brand of community tenacity - even though she ruffles feathers mostly now and often then - received a special recognition for her work in education. When all of the dust settles around our valley's efforts to make public education a top priority, Maureen will be seen as one of those people who was willing to take the arrows because she was also willing to take the lead.

And Scott Sibella, who is the president of the Mirage, was given a special recognition as a leader in the business community who understands and fights for the cause of diversity, family and opportunity in the workplace. Scott has enjoyed a rather rapid rise in the gaming industry, and it is no doubt because of his operational skills as well as his keen understanding about what it really takes to lead thousands of people.

I have mentioned the award winners because I believe it is important for the rest of Las Vegas to understand that there are good and decent and dedicated people working across all industries in this community to make life not only more prosperous but better. Their being recognized by the Urban League - an organization that knows full well the difference between word and deed - speaks volumes.

And just in case you think these dinners are all work and no play, consider this. Because he couldn't say no to his Aunt Jacqulyn either, one of Broadway's most outstanding actors and singers, Brian "Stokes" Mitchell, put on a show that was not only reminiscent of the old Las Vegas lounge acts, but also made it clear to everyone why he has been dubbed by The New York Times as the "Last Leading Man." There is nothing in song and on stage that he cannot do, most of which he did Sunday night. What a treat!

So, what kind of league were we in Sunday night with the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League dinner? It was a league of our own, to be sure, and a league that this community has properly welcomed with open hearts and open arms.