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A Long Walk To Freedom

by Justin Young
photos by Jason Taylor

On May 10, youth organizations from all over New York City gathered at the CitiBank building in Long Island City to receive the "Long Walk To Freedom Youth Activism Award". The awards were sponsored by the Andrew Goodman Foundation, which was founded in 1966 by Robert and Carolyn Goodman to carry out their son's dreams and goals.

In 1964, Queens College student Andrew Goodman left New York City to attend the "Freedom Summer Drive" to register black voters in Mississippi. Goodman's mission was abruptly cut short when he and two fellow activists, Michael Schwerner and James Chaney, were brutally murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan. The activists' murder not only played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, but also drew the attention of the world to the "Freedom Summer" cause. This event also fueled an award winning novel and the groundbreaking movie "Mississippi Burning".

The ten organizations chosen to receive the Long Walk to Freedom Award were honored based on the dedication and efforts they have demonstrated in their communities. They have served their communities by preventing gang violence, organizing youth and by providing alternatives to drug use. The Community Works Youth Advisory Committee, whose chairman is the renowned Rev. Alfonso Wyatt, chose the organizations that received awards. "These 10 organizations that serve youth in communities around New York City, and the young people who founded and are leading them, carry the legacy of youth activism exemplified by Andrew Goodman and the 16 unsung heroes of the 60's," declared Rev. Alfonso Wyatt.

Youth Empowerment Mission, founded in 1995 and based in Brooklyn, was one of the honored organizations. Y.E.M combats gang involvement among youth by providing services like need assessments, life skills training, and mentoring. They also offer counseling and empowerment workshops to young people who are at risk of getting involved with gangs. The other organizations that received the award were Girls Educational Mentoring Services (GEMS), I Love Our Youth (ILOY), South Asian Youth Action, The Brotherhood and Sister Sol, Voices of Youth, Make The Road By Walking, Sista II Sista, Youth Force and CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities.

The Long Walk To Freedom's 16 Unsung Heroes:

Phyllis Cunningham C. Virginia Fields Bob Fletcher Moe Foner Carolyn Goodman Joanne Grant Clarence Jones Matt Jones Bob Moses Gloria Richardson Constancia Romilly Mendy Samstein Walter Stafford Muriel Tillinghast Wyatt Tee Walker Roberta Yancy

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