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New York, N.Y., October 6, 2017—On Tuesday evening, The Andrew Goodman Foundation held its 9th annual Hidden Heroes Awards Ceremony in New York City. This year’s honoree, Bishop William J. Barber II, architect of the Forward Together Moral Movement, was presented the award by critically acclaimed film director Danny Glover for, “courageously defending the moral values of American democracy.” The ceremony concluded with a talk with Bishop Barber about his path to activism, facilitated by the host of Democracy Now! Amy Goodman. Other special guests of the evening included Congressman Charles Rangel, president of Greater NYC for Change, Kate Linker, founder of BeyondMom, Randi Zinn, and civil rights icon, Clarence Jones.

Anna Del Castillo, Vote Everywhere Ambassador at Tufts University, opened the ceremony with a testimonial of her experience in The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s premier program. “I’ve had the incredible opportunity to meet other students who are as passionate about civic engagement and voting rights as I am,” said Del Castillo, “It is an honor to be here in front of civil rights leaders like Bishop Barber and Clarence Jones.”

Hidden Hero Award recipients exemplify an unwavering commitment to increasing community engagement, promoting a participatory democracy, coalition building, or social justice advocacy.  Bishop William J. Barber II previously held the role of president of the North Carolina NAACP, the largest state conference in the South. A highly sought-after speaker, Barber has keynoted hundreds of national and state conferences, including the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The Andrew Goodman Foundation dedicated the award to highlight the importance of his work in shaping the current political landscape.

“The evening was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Bishop Barber began becoming civically engaged at a young age and has remained committed to fighting for our democracy throughout his life.”, said Sylvia Goodman, Executive Director of The Andrew Goodman Foundation. Goodman continues,” We hope to see that same spirit of active participation in all our Vote Everywhere Ambassadors, even after they graduate from our program.”About The Andrew Goodman Foundation

Established to continue the legacy of Andrew Goodman, a civil rights worker murdered during Freedom Summer 1964, The Andrew Goodman Foundation partners with America’s colleges and universities through its Vote Everywhere program which provides student leaders with a platform to register and mobilize voters, organize campuses, and collaborate with their peers. To learn more, visit www.andrewgoodman.org.

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