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59th Annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner Denver, Colorado - July 3rd, 2026

From Merger to Movement: A 60 Year Legacy of Keeping Hope Alive. 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 Denver, Colorado!

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.

Click here to purchase tickets for the 2026 Human and Civil Rights Awards!

Meet our 2025 Winners!

SURJ

Showing Up For Racial Justice, Kansas City - H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award

Many individuals “talk the talk” when it comes to combating the forces of intolerance and inequity, but the ultimate example of “walking the walk,” is the Kansas City-based advocacy alliance Showing Up for Racial Justice.
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Nawahiokalani

Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki Lab Public Charter School - Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Award

As the pioneering Space Shuttle Challenger astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka inspired the Asian diaspora to explore “brave new worlds,” Hawai’i’s Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki Lab Public Charter School is creating a bright future for AAPI youth by embracing history and culture.
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Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance of North Mississippi - Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award

Sustenance, sustainability, and self-determination: that’s the three-pronged assignment of The Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance.
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Maude Dahme

Maud Dahme - Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award

Maud Dahme has dedicated her life to enlightening young people about intolerance, and taking a stand against it. She comes by this honestly; the Holland-born Ms. Dahme is a Holocaust survivor.
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Leshun "Ship" Collins

Leshun "Ship" Collins - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award

Ohio-based education innovator LeShun “Ship” Collins is a worthy inheritor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy of social engagement… and enlightenment translating to empowerment.
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Jesus Valle

Jesus Valle - Wilma Mankiller Memorial Award

As a tenured professor of Native American Studies at Sacramento’s American River College, Mr. Valle brings his personal, and a people’s legacy and purpose to the forefront of higher education.
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Elise Carter

Elise Carter - Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award

Kentucky-based educator Elise Carter continues Dr. Woodson’s legacy by advancing opportunity for African American youth.
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Dr. Marta Silva

Dr. Marta Silva - George I. Sánchez Memorial Award

Dr. Silva has devoted her decades-long career to educational platforms promoting culture, tolerance and linguistic independence for American Latinos.
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Dr. Marissa Winmill

Dr. Marissa Winmill - Mary Hatwood Futrell Award

Dr. Winmill is one of the nation’s leading figures in advancing academic opportunity for young women.
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journalist Imara Jones

Imara Jones: NEA President's Award for Human and Civil Rights

TransLash Media founder and thought leader Imara Jones has been an influential voice in shifting the culture of hostility toward transgender people and has produced several award-winning films, documentaries, and podcasts as part of her work to build more inclusive media outlets.
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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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