Freedom Award Student Forum
October 30, 2019 • 10:00am
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
The annual Student Forum is the opening event for the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award celebration. The Forum allows students an opportunity to hear from leaders in the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights. Led by a guest student emcee, the goal is to expose youth and the community to civil and human rights leaders and to bridge the gap between everyday people and leaders. Recognizing that they began their life's journey as everyday people, these leaders tell their story on how they were able to accomplish extraordinary things because of their commitment to equality, justice and freedom.
We are also able to offer free transportation service for local school groups to attend the event. These groups constitute a large part of the audience with attendance between 2,500 and 4,000 youth and educators each year. More than 85,000 people have attended Student Forum since it began in 1991.
Keeper of the Dream Award
The Keeper of the Dream Award is a public recognition of selected youth in grades 6 – 12. The 2018 award winners are Sarah Rosenthal, Xinyi (Cindy) Tan, Timmy Becton, Jr., Cameron Jones and members of the Bridge Builders cohort, Caitlin Robinson, Lakia Coakley, Aaliyag James, Elena Matade and Aniya Mull. These students serve to help overcome issues including diversity, inclusion, education and food insecurity to provide support, leadership and empowerment to their peers and the community.
This award celebrates and recognizes the heroism of many young people who will have the amazing responsibility of safeguarding our freedom while ensuring equal rights and opportunities for others. Area students in grades 6 – 12 who have demonstrated acts of compassion, leadership, commitment and service are self-nominated or nominated by educators and community leaders.

2018 Keeper of the Dream Award Winners
This year’s Keeper of the Dream Award winners are Sarah Rosenthal, Xinyi (Cindy) Tan, Timmy Becton, Jr., Cameron Jones and members of the Bridge Builders cohort, Caitlin Robinson, Lakia Coakley, Aaliyah James, Elena Matade and Aniya Mull. These students address issues including diversity, inclusion, education and food insecurity and provide support, leadership and empowerment to their peers and the community.