MISSION
The Burnham Award recognizes the work of individuals who are engaged in organizing, scholarship or journalism on issues that impact the African-American community.
Louis E. Burnham’s activism and journalism reflected his commitments to:
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Racial justice in urban areas and the US South
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Human rights
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Socially engaged journalism
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African American politics
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Black youth leadership development
The Burnham Award honors Louis E. Burnham’s lifelong engagement with progressive politics. Each year, the Burnham Award Committee provides a monetary award to an individual whose work advances the causes to which Burnham dedicated his life.
ABOUT LOUIS EVERETT BURNHAM
In his short life, Louis E. Burnham dedicated his talent and enormous energy to mobilizing African Americans to fight for their rights as citizens and workers. The child of immigrants from Barbados, Burnham was raised in Harlem, New York. With his wife, Dorothy Challenor Burnham, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where both became leaders in the Southern Negro Youth Congress (SNYC) from 1940 to 1948. SNYC helped pave the way for the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. Burnham was the founding editor of the New York-based newspaper Freedom, which ran from 1950-1955. Paul Robeson was its publisher. In his capacity as editor, Burnham mentored young writers such as Lorraine Hansberry and Alice Childress. As a journalist, Burnham reported on racial discrimination and racist violence throughout the US. An accomplished public speaker, Burnham was addressing a Negro History Week event in New York City, in 1960, when his heart gave out. He left behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to racial justice.
GET IN TOUCH
LOUIS E. BURNHAM AWARD COMMITTEE
Richard Burbridge
Charles Burnham
Dorothy Burnham
Linda Burnham
Margaret Burnham
Eisa Davis
Anika Haynes
Claudia Loftis
Erik McDuffie
MaryLouise Patterson
In memoriam
Esther Cooper Jackson
Cecil Corbin Mark