Val Joshua Justice Awardees Inspire
Each year, we recognize two people in our community who are working toward ending oppression. We are proud to announce: Abbie Bambilla will receive the 2019 Val Joshua Racial Justice Award and Asante Jackson will receive the 2019 Youth Social Justice Award.
Abbie Bambilla
Abbie Bamilla’s work with diversity and political advocacy is being recognized. As a leader in the community, Abbie has worked on making spaces and organizations more inclusive and welcoming people of color.Abbie’s efforts have been directed at eliminating racism — as an intern in the Sexual Assault Program at YWCA Clark County, a volunteer in the SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program at YWCA Clark County, and as a student leader at WSU Vancouver.Abbie continuously acts in ways that ensure the voices of marginalized communities will be the loudest and most represented. Abbie regularly analyzes and engages in discussion around how to advocate for, support, and prioritize marginalized communities with intention and mindfulness.Abbie will also be facilitating a workshop at our upcoming Youth of Color Summit on June 15. (link for blog post, not newsletter article)
Asante Jackson
Asante Jackson will be recognized for his determined actions and leadership in bringing awareness to diversity, especially through a high school project that promoted peace and highlighted racial injustice.In celebration of Black History Month, Asante — a senior at Henrietta Lacks high school and one of the only African-American people in the Associated Student Body (ASB) program — was asked to create a video to be shown during a school-wide assembly. But, after including images of Colin Kaepernick, the school administration said the project was too political. Asante removed what he thought was political and re-submitted it, but the administration said it focused too much on Black culture to the exclusion of others.So, Asante made a video of students at his high school sharing their personal heritages. Despite the administration again dismissing his work, Asante continues to produce media that promotes peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.