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Celebrating 50 years of service

Updated: May 14

In 2024, AAAED, is celebrating 50 years of service. AAAED was founded in 1974 during the enactment of some of the most influential federal civil rights laws of the 1960s and 1970s and compliance agencies, like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor’s OFCCP, and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.



Annually, the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity presents awards to individuals




2024 Drum Major for Justice Award

A special acknowledgement of the extraordinary contributions that an organization or individual, including a public servant or one who has held an elective office or appointment to public service, has made to the cause of equity, access and diversity.

Congressman Bennie Thompson
Congressman Bennie Thompson

Past Award Recipients

  • Honorable Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (2021)

  • Honorable Robert "Bobby" Scott (2020)

  • Honorable Gregory W. Porter (2019)

  • Rev. Dr. CT Vivian (2018) 

  • Dr. Shirley A Jackson (2017)

  • Rep. G. K. Butterfield (2016) 

  • Dr. Norman C. Francis (2015)

  • Rev. James Morris Lawson (2014)

  • Albert Kauffman (2013)

  • Vice President Joseph R. Biden (2012)

  • Flonzie Brown Wright (2011)

  • James H. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D. (2010)

  • Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrants’ Rights and Fight for Equality by Any Means Necessary (BAMN) (2009)

  • Shirley J. Wilcher (2009)

  • Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins (Posthumously) (2008)

  • Honorable Parren J. Mitchell (Posthumously) (2008)




2024 Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award

The award recognizes a lifetime of achievement promoting and advocating for affirmative action, EEO and diversity.


Dr. Antonio R Flores, President & CEO Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Dr. Antonio R Flores, President & CEO Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

Past Award Recipients

  • Dr. Ansley Abraham (2021)

  • Clarence M. Dunnaville, Jr., Esq. (2020)

  • Marshall Rose, M.S.W. (2019)

  • Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall (2018)

  • Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum (2018)

  • Dr. Rufus Glasper (2017)

  • Rep. James E. Cleburne (2016)

  • Dr. Walter J. Leonard (posthumously) (2016)

  • James S. Hoyte, Esq. (2015)

  • Dr. Louis Dale (2014)

  • Joe R. Feagin, Ph.D. (2013)

  • John A. Payton (posthumously) (2012)

  • William H. Brown, III Esq. (2011)

  • Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. (2009)

  • Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (2008)

  • Cynthia Nance, Dean, University of Arkansas School of Law(2007)

  • Frank Wu, Dean, Wayne State University School of Law(2007)

  • Julianne Malveaux, Last Word Productions (2006)




2024 Cesar Estrada Chavez Award

The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership in support of workers' rights and humanitarian issues.


United States Representative |Joaquin Castro
United States Representative |Joaquin Castro

Past Award Recipients

  • Dr. Ricardo R. Fernandez (2021) 

  • Dr. Juan Sanchez Munoz (2020)

  • Dr. Tomás D. Morales (2019)

  • Dr. Rogelio Saenz (2018) 

  • Dr. Harvey Kesselman (2017) 

  • Dr. Havidán Rodríguez (2016)

  • Dr. Marie T. Mora (2015)

  • John Gonzalez (2014)

  • John Quiñones (2013)

  • Hon. Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX) (2012)

  • José D. Alcántara, Esq. (2011)

  • Cheryl Queen and Rick Stone, Compass Group North America (2010)

  • Dr. Juan Andrade (2009)

  • Raphael Olmeda (2008)

  • Henry Cisneros(2007)

  • Gil Casellas (2006)



2024 Rosa Parks Award

The award recognizes an individual who serves as a role model and leader for others through their personal achievements, excellence in a chosen field; commitment to human, civil rights and social issues and contributions to the betterment of society.


Barbara Lee| Former United States Representative
Barbara Lee| Former United States Representative

Past Award Recipients

  • Dr. Ruth J. Simmons (2021) 

  • Honorable Maxine Waters (2020)

  • Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole (2019)

  • Rogsbert Phillips-Reed (2018) 

  • Dr. Bryan Brayboy (2017)

  • Kenja Hassan (2017)

  • Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (2016)

  • Ruby Bridges Hall (2015)

  • Betty Harmon Newcomb (2013)

  • Tim Wise (2012)

  • Wanda Sloan (2011)

  • Major General Joseph A. McNeil (2010)

  • Franklin E. McCain, Sr. (2010)

  • Jibreel Khazan (2010)

  • Thomas "TNT" Todd, Esq. (2009)

  • Littleton P. Mitchell (2008)

  • Darlene Grant (2007)

  • Shirley J. Wilcher (2006)


2024 Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award

Presented to an individual or organization demonstrating outstanding community service.


Dr. Roberta Cordona| President Gallaudet University
Dr. Roberta Cordona| President Gallaudet University

Past Award Recipients

  • Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University School of Engineering (2021)

  • Disability: IN (2020)

  • Deb Dagit, President, Deb Dagit Diversity, LLC; and BOSMA Enterprises, Navigating Blindness (2019)

  • Southern Poverty Law Center (2018) 

  • The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (2017)

  • Alan “AP” Powell (2017)

  • Wright State University (2016)

  • Georgia State University (2015)

  • The Honorable Kathleen Martinez (2014)

  • The Honorable Julian Castro (2013)

  • Washington Area Women's Foundation (2012)

  • Nadine Vogel (2011)

  • JAN (Job Accommodation Network) (2010)

  • Military Missions in Action (2010)

  • Nannette Johnson-Elie, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (2009)

  • The Honorable Stuart J. Ishimaru (2008)

  • Lilly Ledbetter (2008)

  • Theodore "Ted" Shaw (2008)

  • PeopleClick, Metairie, La. Office (2007)



2024 Roosevelt Thomas Champion of Diversity Award

Given to an organization or corporation for outstanding achievements in promoting diversity in the workforce.


Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO| TIAA
Thasunda Brown Duckett, President & CEO| TIAA

Past Award Recipients

  • Hilton (2021)

  • PepsiCo (2020)

  • Cummins, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company (2019)

  • The Coca-Cola Company (2018) 

  •  Southern Company Gas (2018)

  • The Arizona Diamondbacks (2017)

  • Oklahoma State University (2017)

  • Northrup Grumman (2016)

  • Cox Communications, Southeast (2015)

  • Texas Tech University (2014)

  • Rockwell Collins (2013)

  • Pepco Holdings, Inc. (2012)

  • Inclusion & Diversity Council, City of Virginia Beach, VA (2012)

  • Luke Visconti, DiversityInc (2011)

  • RiseSmart, San Jose, CA (2010)

  • IBM (2009)

2024 Presidents Award

Presented to a member(s) who has made an outstanding service contribution to the Association


Top Row: Julia Mendez Achée, Matthew J. Camardella, Esq., Dr. Christopher Metzler

Bottom Row: Dr. Beth Valentine, Vonda Wright, Wanda Malden

Previous Award Recipients

  • Sharron G. Gatling, CAAP (2021)

  • Sandra K. Hueneman Sr. CAAP (2021)

  • Jerry Knighton, M.P.A (2021)

  • Marilynn Schuyler, Esq. (2021) 

  • Tonisha Thorpe (2021)

  • Shirley J. Wilcher, JD, MA, CAAP (2021) 

  • Sharron G. Gatling, CAAP (2020)

  • Sandra K. Hueneman, Sr. CAAP (2020)

  • Jerry Knighton, M.P.A. (2020)

  • Marilynn Schuyler, Esq. (2020)

  • Tonisha Thorpe (2020)

  • Nicole Johnson (2020)

  • Rosemary Cox, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (2019)

  • Teresa Turner (2019)

  • Sandra Hueneman, Sr. CAAP (2019)

  • William D. Smitherman, Sr. (2019)

  • Shirley J. Wilcher, JD, MA, CAAP (2019)

  • Dr. Alberto Roca (2019)

  • Dr. Christopher Metzler (2019)

  • Christopher Jones, JD (2019)

  • Jennifer Tucker, MA (2019)

  • Annette Butler, DBA (2019)

  • Sandra Hueneman, SR CAAP (2018) 

  • Carmen Suarez (2018)

  • Wanda Malden (2018)

  • William D. Smitherman (2017)

  • Rosemary Cox, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (2017)

  • Wanda Malden (2017)

  • Marilynn Schuyler, Esq. (2017)

  • Jo Bennett, Esq. (2016)

  • Linda Chase (2016)

  • Rosemary Cox, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (2016)

  • Helen Gurley (2016)

  • Tracey Hamilton (2016)

  • Queen Foreman McMiller (2016)

  • Marjorie Powell (2016)

  • Chuck Schadl (2016)





 
 
 

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