News
| Jan 20, 2021

Sharpton hails Sir Hilary’s fight for human rights in African diaspora

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Sir Hilary Beckles, vice-chancellor of The University of the West Indies (Photo: Caricom)

University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles has been honoured by The Reverend Al Sharpton for his global advocacy, academic scholarship and intellectual leadership in support of social justice, institutional equity, and economic development for marginalised and oppressed ethnicities and nations.

Sir Hilary, who is also chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission and president of Universities Caribbean, was receiviing the Peace and Freedom Award from Sharpton and the National Action Network on January 18, Martin Luther King Day.

Presenting the award to Sir Hilary during a live virtual ceremony, Sharpton said: “Every year we have the National Action Network Dr Martin Luther King Awards, we look for someone who has personified in their own work, in their own life, the global fight for human rights and human dignity, particularly in the African diaspora and there’s no doubt about the fact that Sir Hilary has been one in that tradition. I would say unequalled in the present African diaspora of those of us that are still among us.”

The US-based Network, founded and led by Sharpton, has celebrated MLK Day since 1991 with a breakfast in his honour in Washington, DC. The annual event both commemorates King’s legacy and provides an opportunity to refocus on the work of carrying on his dream.

In his response, Sir Hilary told Sharpton that, growing up, his generation followed and was inspired by King’s works and teachings and that he remains a ‘template’ and guiding light in the global reparatory justice movement.

He acknowledged that King’s philosophies “framed his own views of the world” and expressed gratitude for the accolade, saying: “I am humbled and honoured to be considered in the context of the legacy of Dr King.”

Sir Hilary was among seven distinguished persons honoured. Other honourees include American physician, immunologist and Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr Anthony Fauci; seven-year-old non-profit founder Cavanaugh Bell; Chief Executive Officer for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Sindy Benavides; award-winning organiser, philanthropic consultant, political strategist and jazz singer, Latosha Brown; Stacey Abrams, American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author; and Dr. Millicent Gorham, Executive Director of the National Black Nurses Association, Inc.

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Jul 8, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dana Morris Dixon is describing attacks by the parliamentary opposition on the Government’s Rural School Bus System, for which phase 1 will be rolled out starting September 2025, as baseless, unfortunate and unhelpful, particularly given the importance of the initiative to thousands of children and families across rural Jamaica.

Minister Dixon says she is particularly disappointed by remarks from Opposition Leader Mark Golding who used a political platform to disparage the buses as “old” and proposed that school children be transported by “di likkle man who have dem pro-box and AR wagon”.

News JAM Jul 8, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutesPrime Minister Andrew Holness has urged Jamaicans to remain faithful as the government continues to work to ensure that all residents have access to an adequate water supply.

“For the communities that are without water now, your voice is heard. I personally care about it. And the government that I administer on your behalf, we are working hard to correct and improve. And you can take hope and have faith because others who were in your position now have water,” he said.

News JAM Jul 8, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutesPrime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has called on CARICOM leaders to continue championing regional unity as the Caribbean faces growing social, economic, and geopolitical challenges.

Reflecting on her first address to the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in 2018, Mottley noted that the region is now confronting perhaps its most difficult period since achieving independence.