N.C. A&T Human Rights Medal

Call For Nominations

The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University University Awards and Convocation Planning Committee is currently soliciting nominations for the university's 2025 Human Rights Medal. The medal is given in honor of the extraordinary action against social injustice by four N.C. A&T freshmen – Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin Eugene McCain, Joseph Alfred McNeil and David Richmond Jr. – on February 1, 1960.

Criteria and Eligibility

The award is presented to an individual who has made substantial and long-term contributions in furtherance of civil rights, civil liberties, and/or human rights. A "substantial" contribution is considered to be: a) one demonstrating a level of dedication or achievement beyond that expected in the normal course of an individual's work or b) one that significantly empowers marginalized individuals or a community. 

Candidates for this award must be citizens of the United States and may be locally, nationally or internationally recognized. Nominees for the N.C. A&T Human Rights Medal will be evaluated according to the need fulfilled, actions demonstrated by the individual, and the scope of his or her contribution within the community.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 15, 2024.

Recognition

Nominations may be made by anyone. The winner will be notified in December and will be invited to accept the award at the Annual Sit-In Breakfast marking the anniversary of the N.C. A&T Sit-In Movement. The event is scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. EST.  The recipient must be able to accept the award in person at the event.

Please use the online nomination form and submit materials electronically here: online nomination form.

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Oliver M. Thomas (336.285.2363), Member, University Awards and Convocation Planning Committee.