Caribbean L 18 ife, FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
NAN honors Sir Hilary with
Peace and Freedom Award
Sir Hilary Beckles (left) and the Rev. Al Sharpton. UWI News
By Nelson A. King
The Rev. Al Sharpton and his National
Action Network (NAN) on Dr. Martin
Luther King (MLK) Day, Jan. 18, honored
Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor
of The University of the West Indies (UWI)
with the Peace and Freedom Award.
UWI News said that Sir Hilary, who is
also chairman of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) Reparations Commission
and President of Universities Caribbean,
received the award during a virtual
ceremony.
He was recognized for his “global advocacy,
academic scholarship and intellectual
leadership in support of social justice,
institutional equity and economic development
for marginalized and oppressed
ethnicities and nations,” UWI News said.
“Every year we have the National
Action Network Dr Martin Luther King
Awards, we look for someone who has personified
in their own work, in their own
life, the global fight for human rights and
human dignity, particularly in the African
Diaspora, and there’s no doubt about the
fact that Sir Hilary has been one in that
tradition — I would say unequalled in the
present African Diaspora of those of us
that are still among us,” said Rev. Sharpton
in presenting the award to Sir Hilary.
NAN, founded and led by Rev. Sharpton,
has celebrated MLK Day since 1991
with a breakfast in his honor in Washington,
D.C.
The annual event commemorates Dr.
King’s legacy and provides an opportunity
to refocus on the work of carrying on his
dream, UWI News said.
Sir Hilary said that, while growing up,
his generation followed and was inspired
by the works and teachings of Dr. King,
and that he remains a “template” and
guiding light in the global reparatory justice
movement.
He acknowledged that Dr. King’s philosophies
“framed his own views of the
world.”
“I am humbled and honored to be considered
in the context of the legacy of Dr.
King,” said the UWI Vice Chancellor, who
was among seven distinguished persons
honored.
Other honorees included American
physician, immunologist and director of
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID), Dr Anthony Fauci;
seven-year old non-profit founder Cavanaugh
Bell; chief executive officer for the
League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC), Sindy Benavides; award-winning
organizer, philanthropic consultant,
political strategist and jazz singer, Latosha
Brown; Stacey Abrams, Georgia political
and voting rights activist, lawyer and
author; and Dr. Millicent Gorham, executive
director of the National Black Nurses
Association, Inc.
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