The City of High Point’s Human Relations Commission has selected Héctor Ancizar Gómez Argote as the recipient of the 2024 Humanitarian Award.
The award honors “an individual who has made a significant contribution to human relations in High Point through their promotion of equity and by encouraging understanding, respect, and goodwill among all High Point residents.”
Gómez Argote was recognized by the Commission for his work with High Point’s Latino communities. For one thing, he’s a co-founder of the group Fuerza Latina Unida para Triunfar (Latins United To Succeed). For another, he established the first Spanish-language Board Development Academy in the Triad area, and he’s noted for his work encouraging and preparing Latino leaders to join boards and commissions in local government, schools, and nonprofits.
According to city officials, Gómez Argote has also created a youth-led group for Latino students, which has since hosted “a first-of-its-kind statewide Latinx Youth Summit to promote leadership development, cultural competency, social justice, and civic engagement.”
He is also being recognized for his work in the Guilford County school system, where he has mentored hundreds of students over a period of nearly two decades. Gomez Argote joined Guilford County Schools first as a Spanish teacher at Penn Griffin School for the Arts. At that school, he also coached soccer and mentored students in the Spanish Club.
In 2022, he became the first Latino vice-principal at High Point Central High School.
A native of Colombia, Gómez Argote came to the United States in 2007.
In addition to his other fine work, he has also served as a board member and partner for many local nonprofits, including FaithAction International House, D-UP, the YWCA of High Point and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
As the winner of the 2024 Humanitarian Award, Gómez Argote will be recognized at the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Black & White Ball / Achievers Awards Gala on Saturday night, Jan. 18 and he will participate in the Carl Chavis YMCA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Sunday.
The dictionary defines of “Humanitarian” as “having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people. High Point’s Human Relations Commission usually seeks out someone who has shown concern for, and has helped, the disenfranchised and underrepresented members of society.
Nominations for the award are evaluated by the commission based on, among other things, the “nominee’s past contributions and efforts that benefited traditionally underrepresented individuals and diverse groups.”
In addition, “The nominee’s promotion of equity through his or her work with an employer, faith-based institution, civic group(s) and/or community organizations” is taken into account in the selection process.
The city’s Humanitarian of the Year Award got its start in 1982, and some past winners have been: Manilla Dean (2013) for her work at West End Ministries; Charles M. “Fly” McClendon (2012) for many acts such as High Point jail ministry, working with Ward Street Missions and holding Bible studies for substance abusers; Dr. Michael B. Hussey and Betsy Leach (2011) for their selfless service providing medical assistance to the community; and Terry Aiken (2008) for his involvement with Family Services, Kids Voting and the National Conference for Community and Justice.
