Human & Civil Rights Awards Program

The 2021 HCR Awards gala has concluded.

Visit NEAHCRAwards.org to learn more about the event, read about the winners, and watch a recap of the big night!

HCR Awards History

The annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards is inextricably linked to the 1966 merger of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Teachers Association (ATA). ATA, which represented Black teachers in segregated schools in the South, traditionally honored leaders in the justice and civil rights movement at an annual awards dinner. This inspirational program was necessary to acknowledge progress in the movement towards justice nationwide, and to uplift positive impacts on the education of students of color. As a new merged Association, the NEA has proudly held to this tradition each year since 1967, celebrating leaders in racial justice, social justice, human and civil rights.

Formerly hosted as a black-tie awards dinner, the format changed to an elegant Awards show ceremony, extending the program to a larger audience of educators and community.