Celebrating 50 years of service

In 2024, AAAED, is celebrating 50 years of service. AAAED was founded in 1974 during the enactment of some of the most influential federal civil rights laws of the 1960s and 1970s and compliance agencies, like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor’s OFCCP, and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Annually, the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity presents awards to individuals

2024 Drum Major for Justice Award

A special acknowledgement of the extraordinary contributions that an organization or individual, including a public servant or one who has held an elective office or appointment to public service, has made to the cause of equity, access and diversity.

Congressman Bennie Thompson

Past Award Recipients

• Honorable Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (2021)

• Honorable Robert "Bobby" Scott (2020)

• Honorable Gregory W. Porter (2019)

• Rev. Dr. CT Vivian (2018) 

• Dr. Shirley A Jackson (2017)

• Rep. G. K. Butterfield (2016) 

• Dr. Norman C. Francis (2015)

• Rev. James Morris Lawson (2014)

• Albert Kauffman (2013)

• Vice President Joseph R. Biden (2012)

• Flonzie Brown Wright (2011)

• James H. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D. (2010)

• Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrants’ Rights and Fight for Equality by Any Means Necessary (BAMN) (2009)

• Shirley J. Wilcher (2009)

• Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins (Posthumously) (2008)

• Honorable Parren J. Mitchell (Posthumously) (2008)

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2024 Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award

2024 Cesar Estrada Chavez Award

2024 Rosa Parks Award

2024 Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award

2024 Roosevelt Thomas Champion of Diversity Award

2024 Presidents Award