The Four Freedoms Awards are presented each year to people whose achievements have demonstrated a commitment to those principles which President Roosevelt proclaimed in his historic speech to Congress on January 6, 1941, as essential to democracy: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear. This year, for the first time in our 39-year history, The Roosevelt Institute will center the Four Freedoms Awards on a theme of racial justice.
Freedom of Speech and Expression:
New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will be honored for developing the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project, a visionary work that exposed the systemic and institutionalized racism embedded in our country’s laws and policies. She is also being recognized for her commitment to mentoring and training investigative reporters of color.
Freedom of Worship:
Senator Raphael Warnock will be honored for his work as the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and for carrying the legacy of generations of Black spiritual leaders who have fought for justice in the South. He is also being recognized for his advocacy work on issues including criminal justice reform and protecting voting rights.
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.
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.