"Ballet dancer Misty Copeland, WNBA star Brittney Griner, and filmmaker Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee were among the honorees at this year's W.E.B. Du Bois Medal ceremony. The event, organized annually by the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, recognizes changemakers for their lasting contributions to Black culture, scholarship, and civic life. Also presented with medals were artist Amy Sherald, South Carolina Rep. James E. Clyburn, and entrepreneur George E. Johnson, whose products revolutionized Black hair care in mid-century America."
"The politician and human rights activist Marielle Franco was honored posthumously. Franco, an elected member of Rio de Janeiro's City Council who was assassinated in 2018, became the award's first Brazilian recipient. Honorees are said to follow in the footsteps of Du Bois, a towering scholar, author, and activist who became the first Black person to earn a Harvard Ph.D. in 1895. "Each of our seven esteemed medalists embodies this brilliant and courageous man's dedication to excellence in the arts, in business, philanthropy, and public service - and his determination to fight racism and ethnic hatred wherever they raise their pernicious, ugly heads," said Henry Louis Gates Jr., Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and director of the Hutchins Center."
The W.E.B. Du Bois Medal ceremony recognized seven honorees for lasting contributions to Black culture, scholarship, and civic life. Honorees included Misty Copeland, Brittney Griner, Spike Lee, Amy Sherald, Rep. James E. Clyburn, entrepreneur George E. Johnson, and posthumous honoree Marielle Franco, the award's first Brazilian recipient. The Hutchins Center organizes the annual event and links honorees to W.E.B. Du Bois's legacy as the first Black Harvard Ph.D. Recipients engaged with students and athletes during the visit, and organizers emphasized dedication to excellence across the arts, business, philanthropy, and public service.
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