Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards sets honorees

Bill Cosby, actor J.R. Martinez, San Diego's Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company and disability advocate and dancer Zina Bethune have been tapped as honorees for the 9th Annual Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards.The awards were announced Wednesday by the affirmative action committees of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Screen Actors Guild and Actors' Equity Assn. The awards will be presented Nov. 7 at the Nate Holden Theatre Center in Los Angeles and hosted by Kim Coles.Cosby was chosen by SAG "for his groundbreaking work as a performer and for his dedication to educating future generations."AFTRA tapped Martinez, a disabled vet who has appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" and "All My Children" and has supported burn victims and disabled vets.AEA's honoree is the Mo`olelo Performing Arts Co. while the Tri-Union honoree is Bethune, founder of BethuneDanse, the first professional dance theatre in America to create a participatory program for persons with disabilities. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com