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Upcoming! 58th Annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner Portland, Oregon - July 2nd 2025

NEA’s tradition of honoring human and civil rights leaders is steeped in history. A tradition that began with the American Teachers Association.

Join us in Portland on July 2nd!

2025 HCR Awards Flyer

2025 HCR Awards Brochure

The annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards is inextricably linked to the 1966 merger of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Teachers Association (ATA). ATA, which represented Black teachers in segregated schools in the South, traditionally honored leaders in the justice and civil rights movement at an annual awards dinner. This inspirational program was necessary to acknowledge progress in the movement towards justice nationwide, and to uplift positive impacts on the education of students of color. As a new merged Association, the NEA has proudly held to this tradition each year since 1967, celebrating leaders in racial justice, social justice, human and civil rights.

57TH Annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner 
Freedom Rings: Celebrating the Legacy of Inspiring Power, Dreams, and Activism 
July 3, 2024 – Philadelphia, PA

Meet the 2024 Winners!

Al Alexander

Al Alexander - H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award

As the chairman of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation (NCMPEF), Mr. Alexander has been instrumental in providing scholarships, grants, and mentoring services to students in need.
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Alejandro De La Peña Jr.

Alejandro De La Peña Jr. - George I. Sánchez Memorial Award

Alejandro De La Peña Jr., is a special education teacher in El Paso, Texas, who tirelessly works to ensure that all students have access to equitable educational opportunities.
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B.L.A.C.K. LAX

B.L.A.C.K. LAX - Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award

From their Black Youth Summit to their Black Professionals Network Program, BLACK LAX has demonstrated a deep understanding of the needs of the community and has worked determinedly to address them.
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Cia Siab, Inc.

Cia Siab, Inc. - Rosa Parks Memorial Award

Established in 2016, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization is dedicated to building a culturally vibrant Hmoob community through a range of services and programs that celebrate and preserve Hmoob language, culture, and heritage.
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Eddie McAllister

Eddie McAllister - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award

Activist and community organizer Eddie McAllister is a true pillar of justice, embodying the spirit and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in all his work.
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Fred “Peleke” Flores

Fred “Peleke” Flores - Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Award

Mr. Peleke Flores, the Field Operations and Resource Manager for Mālama Hūel’ia, is essential to the revitalization of the Alakoko Fishpond and to sustaining its cultural heritage for generations to come.
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Kate Okeson

Kate Okeson - Virginia Uribe Memorial Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights

An art teacher for more than 20 years, Kathryn (Kate) Okeson is the president of the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Education Association and the co-founder and program director of Make It Better for Youth (MIB4Y): The Monmouth County Consortium for LGBTQ Youth in New Jersey.
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Sreenidi Bala

Sreenidi (Sree) Bala - SuAnne Big Crow Memorial Award

A Junior at Farmington High School (FHS) in Connecticut, Sree not only breaks barriers for her peers, but breaks them herself as the only Junior chosen to sit on the Senior class led Social Justice Council (SJC) of the high school’s Multicultural Student Union.
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United Teachers Los Angeles - Rosena J. Willis Memorial Award

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) is not just a union, it is a powerhouse of activism, advocacy, and social justice. Founded in 1970 through the merger of two organizations, UTLA has been at the forefront of fighting for equity in public education ever since.
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HCR gala

About the Awards

NEA’s annual tradition of honoring human and civil rights champions is rooted and grounded in the historical legacy of the NEA-ATA merger.

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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
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