Fred T. Korematsu
Civil Rights Activist and Hero

The Roosevelt Institute will posthumously honor Fred T. Korematsu, a civil rights activist whose challenge of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Roosevelt Institute will present the award to his daughter, Dr. Karen Korematsu, who leads the Fred. T. Korematsu Institute. In so doing, we will publicly acknowledge the harm FDR’s policy decision caused the Japanese American community, and by extension all Americans. 

Nikole Hannah-Jones
American Journalist

New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones developed the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project, a visionary work that exposed the systemic and institutionalized racism embedded in our country’s laws and policies. Her research on the failures of the federal government to enforce anti-discrimination laws and her commitment to mentoring and training investigative reporters of color speak to her dedication to racial justice. 

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock
United States Senator, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock has worked tirelessly as the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, carrying the legacy of generations of Black spiritual leaders who have fought for justice in the South. His path-breaking advocacy spans from fighting to protect the dignity of work, to criminal justice reform, to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, to pushing for the expansion of Medicaid to protecting the right for every eligible voter to cast a ballot—and more.

Deepak Bhargava
Immigrant Rights and Economic Justice Advocate

Deepak Bhargava has had an immense impact on grassroots and social movements through his work at Community Change where he mentored and trained hundreds of activists who became key leaders in progressive social movements. Deepak is a leading voice in the fight for immigration justice, and his policy and organizing work have brought about major changes to federal policies related to poverty.

 Sixta Leon Barrita, Rubiela Correa, Sonia Pérez Garcia, and Maria Isabel Sierra
Worker Rights Activists

Sixta Leon Barrita, Rubiela Correa, Sonia Pérez Garcia, and Maria Isabel Sierra are four powerful women leaders who fought to secure the first ever $2.1 billion Excluded Worker Fund in New York, establishing emergency income for undocumented workers, such as street vendors, domestic workers and more excluded from unemployment benefits, despite contributing to these systems. Sonia Pérez Garcia, a long time street vendor served champurrado on the frontlines, led community meetings and mobilized vendors across New York City into this fight. Maria, Sixta and Rubiela led a 23 day hunger strike alongside dozens of community members to bring home the campaign.