About the W.E.B. Du Bois Humanitarian Award
The W.E.B. Du Bois Humanitarian Award—presented jointly by the W.E.B. Du Bois Foundation and The Chad Cooper Company—celebrates individuals whose scholarship, leadership, and service carry forward the visionary legacy of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois. As the principal organizer of the Niagara Movement, a co‑founder of the NAACP, and the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Dr. Du Bois dedicated his life to advancing civil rights, education, and social justice.
Our Mission
Preserve a Legacy: Uphold Dr. Du Bois’s commitment to rigorous scholarship and the belief that education is foundational to collective progress.
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Elevate Service: Recognize leaders whose compassionate action drives tangible improvements in equity, empowerment, and community well‑being.
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Inspire Future Generations: Showcase modern torchbearers of the “Talented Tenth” who mentor, teach, and uplift others through servant leadership.
Core Principles
Intellectual Rigor: Advancing knowledge as a catalyst for social change.
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Servant Leadership: Putting the needs of communities first through empathetic and impactful initiatives.
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Measurable Impact: Demonstrating real‑world results in civic engagement, educational access, and social equity.
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Collective Progress: Fostering partnerships and collaboration that amplify positive change.
Why This Matters
Honoring today’s change makers not only shines a light on their remarkable achievements but also reaffirms our shared dedication to Dr. Du Bois’s ideals—education as empowerment, scholarship as service, and leadership as a means to uplift all. Through this award, we strengthen the bonds of community, encourage visionary thinking, and inspire a continued pursuit of justice and opportunity across the Black diaspora and beyond. Together, the W.E.B. Du Bois Foundation and The Chad Cooper Company remain steadfast in celebrating those who embody Dr. Du Bois’s humanitarian spirit—and in fostering a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come.
Past Recipients
Dr. Elliott Johnson
A visionary master developer, Dr. Johnson has spearheaded community‑driven urban revitalization projects for over four decades. His work blends strategic planning with hands‑on philanthropy, creating affordable housing, mixed‑use developments, and public green spaces that have transformed neighborhoods and lifted countless families into stability and opportunity.
Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr.
As President of the Hamptons Minister’s Conference and Senior Pastor of Greater St. John Baptist Church, Dr. Carter has united clergy and laity in collaborative ministry for more than 40 years. His leadership has fostered interdenominational partnerships, educational scholarships, and outreach to underserved populations across the Mid‑Atlantic region.
Dr. Lance Watson
Born in Detroit, Michigan, he is married to Rosemary Wilder, a noted and world traveled singer and together they parent three children. A gifted communicator, life coach, teacher and author; he is featured in “Courageous Church Leadership: Conversations with Effective Practitioners” and “African American Sermons.”
Dr. A.J. Brickler, III.
A distinguished physician and surgeon, Dr. Brickler’s decades‑long medical practice in Tallahassee has been guided by both clinical excellence and deep compassion. As the grand‑great nephew of Harriet Tubman, he has honored his ancestor’s legacy through free community health clinics, medical mission trips, and advocacy for equitable access to care.
Norman Jenkins
Co‑founder and CEO of Capstone Development, Mr. Jenkins is renowned for master planning large‑scale urban projects that prioritize sustainability and social impact. Beyond his corporate successes, he chairs multiple nonprofit boards, funds educational scholarships, and champions entrepreneurship programs in historically underinvested communities.
Bishop Joel Peebles
As Presiding Bishop of Global Worldwide and founder of City of Praise Family Ministries, Bishop Peebles has grown his ministry into an international movement. His innovative programs—including global relief efforts, disaster response teams, and youth empowerment academies—reflect his conviction that spiritual leadership and humanitarian service go hand in hand.
The Late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
For 30 years, Congresswoman Jackson Lee represented Houston with unwavering dedication to civil rights, education, and public health. A beloved legislator and tireless advocate for housing reform, women’s health, and voting rights, her legacy endures in the countless communities she uplifted and the laws she helped enact.