For Immediate Release: February 28, 2023, 10:00am ET
Media Contact: media@colorofchange.org 

Color Of Change Hosts Award Show to Honor Educators Preserving Black History 

One of the nation’s largest racial justice organization’s second annual celebration will highlight Black history champions and advocates

NATIONWIDE — On Monday, February 27, Color Of Change — one of the nation’s largest racial justice organizations — held its second annual Black History Now Awards. Hosted by Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien, the Award show honored and celebrated seven advocates, educators and changemakers who are fighting to protect Black history.

Over the last few years, there has been an uptick and concerted effort by lawmakers in numerous states to erase Black history in curriculum ranging from K-12 to higher education. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education have not only banned the AP African American Studies course, but have also eliminated access to an extensive list of books and are threatening to remove all AP courses completely. 

The Black History Now Awards ceremony included guest appearances by leading education advocates – including the African American Policy Forum’s Kimberlé Crenshaw and The 1619 Project’s Nikole Hannah-Jones, as well as a banned book montage featuring a special performance of The Reading Rainbow theme song.

The 2023 awards and awardees include: 

• Terrence Spivey – Preserving Truth In Education
• Silver Danielle – For Championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion In Education
• Sidney Keys III – Advocacy for Youth in Education
• Dr. Aja Lans – The Kimberlé Crenshaw Award for Amplifying Intersectional Narratives In Education
• Patricia “Trish” Harris – The Nikole Hannah-Jones Award For Advocacy and Perseverance in Education 
• The Hollingsworth Family – Innovation in History Education
• Aicha Davis – Public Servant for Fair Education Award

Additional appearances by Chef Jerome Grant, FourWashington, Graceyn Hollingsworth (Gracie’s Corner), Heather C. McGhee (Author, The Sum Of Us), Idris Goodwin, Jade Magnus Ogunnaike (Color Of Change, Vice President of Corporate Power, Programs, and Research), Kahlil Greene (The Gen Z Historian), Rashad Robinson (Color Of Change President), Sakira Cook (Color Of Change, Vice President of Campaigns, Policy & Government Affairs), Sharayna Ashanti Christmas, Brittany Towers (The Black Food Scientist), and Tricia Rose (Author and Sociologist).

“We are proud to celebrate our educational leaders who are taking a stand to uphold Black History as US history in their classrooms,” said Rashad Robinson, President at Color Of Change. “In a political climate where state leaders and corporate enablers are attempting to prevent our kids from learning about the history of systemic injustice in our country by banning Black authors from school bookshelves and removing DEI programs from universities, it is more important than ever for us to acknowledge and support the tireless work of everyday heroes that make the world a more equitable place for our communities nationwide.” 

However, lawmakers like DeSantis are not working alone — they are enabled by corporations who continue to bankroll his campaign and refuse to speak out against his decisions. In response, Color Of Change is mobilizing its millions of members and has sent letters to Walmart, AT&T, and Quest for Success, detailing how their employees who are members of Florida’s Department of Education are responsible for the decision to sideline Black history in schools.    

The Black History Now Awards are part of Color Of Change’s extensive work to support educators and celebrate the leaders who are taking a stand against anti-critical race theory efforts. The full Black History Now Awards program and recording is available on Color Of Change’s YouTube and Facebook.

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About Color Of Change:

Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.