Rev. William Barber, Chad Griffin Honored at Civil and Human Rights Coalition’s Humphrey Dinner
Honorees: ‘An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shin Inouye, [email protected], 202.869.0398
WASHINGTON – The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights hosted its annual Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award dinner on Wednesday. At the event, the civil rights coalition bestowed its highest honor, the Humphrey award, upon the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, and presented the Chairperson’s award to Chad Griffin, the outgoing president of the Human Rights Campaign.
“From the courts to the census to voting rights, we are witnessing an unprecedented weaponization of core democratic functions to concentrate power, shrink the electorate, and silence our voices,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference, in her remarks at the Humphrey dinner. “But history teaches us that persistence pays off and that hope is a discipline. Together, we are leading the way to a fair and free democracy.”
The event’s most poignant moment came at the presentation of the Humphrey award to Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. A pastor and social justice advocate, Rev. Barber is a consequential and moral voice advocating on many issues that are core to the civil rights movement, including voting rights, redistricting, fair labor, and women’s rights.
The Chairperson’s award honored another celebrated leader for equal rights, Chad Griffin. As president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, Griffin has helped build HRC into a political powerhouse capable of winning not only hearts and minds, but elections too.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award dinner is the largest annual gathering of the civil and human rights community, bringing together noted advocates and leaders in the executive branch, Congress, business, education, and civil and human rights organizations. Named after Senator and former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, the dinner honors the legacy of a civil and human rights champion who exemplified selfless and devoted service in the fight for equality. Next year’s dinner will mark the 70th anniversary of the organization.
With the impetus to reach and interface with new audiences, at the dinner, The Leadership Conference announced its podcast, “Pod for the Cause,” hosted by Ashley Allison, executive vice president of campaigns and programs at the organization. Also announced were a revamped Civil Rights Monitor report and website for the organization.
This year’s theme, “We Are Democracy,” highlighted the critical work of the diverse civil and human rights coalition to advance justice, inclusion, and opportunity in America. The evening was emceed by the longest running female network anchor in the United States, María Elena Salinas.
The event’s honorary dinner chair was Judith L. Lichtman, chair of The Leadership Conference’s board of directors. Dinner co-chairs AirBnB and Bank of America, as well as UPS and JPMorgan Chase & Co, who underwrote receptions at the event, offered remarks and acknowledgements of the organization’s nationwide impact.
View remarks from Gupta, Griffin and Barber.
Vanita Gupta speaks at the Humphrey dinner (photo credit: Circa Life Images)
Chad Griffin speaks at the Humphrey dinner (photo credit: Circa Life Images)
Rev. Barber speaks at the Humphrey dinner (photo credit: Sharon Farmer)
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.