About this Event
The DC Friends of People's World and the Claudia Jones School for Political Education will be organizing a community gathering to celebrate the to honor a local leader with the Paul Robeson Peace & Justice Award. The award was last given to local labor leader and former president of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, Joslyn Williams.
Paul Robeson was a towering figure in the Black freedom movement during the 1930s and 1940s. However, his activism made him a target of McCarthyism in the 1950s. Robeson was an extraordinary athlete, actor, singer, linguist, lawyer, and global activist. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Othello and for his iconic renditions of songs like "Joe Hill" and "Ol' Man River." A mural commemorating Robeson can be found on DC’s historic U Street, and he is also featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall.
Join us and our community partners as we celebrate the fight for a Free DC and for a democratic future with an evening filled with music, celebration, food, and camaraderie!
Details of the program, including performances and speakers, will be shared as the event date approaches.
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Previous Awardees:
Paul Robeson Award: Joslyn (Jos) Williams (2025), Rev. Graylan Hagler (2024), Luci Murphy (2007)
Movement Journalism Award: Shedrick Pelt (2025), Rev. Bill Lee (2025), Chuck Modi (2024)
Global Peace Award: DC for Palestine (2025), DMV Palestinian Youth Movement (2024)
Local Justice Award: Free DC (2025), Harriets Wildest Dreams (2024)
Building a Better World 24/7 Media Award: WPFW (2025)
Performers:
TBD
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If the ticket price is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] to inquire about our limited number of discounted tickets.
Event venue & nearby stays
Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage, 1816 12th Street Northwest, Washington, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.