WASHINGTON - On October 21, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken presented the second annual Secretary’s Award for Global Anti-Racism Champions at the U.S. Department of State. This prestigious award recognizes six civil society leaders for their extraordinary courage, leadership, and dedication to promoting racial equity, justice, and human rights. 

John Leerdam and Secretary Blinken

The awardees, hailing from various parts of the world, will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in Washington, D.C. and New York City. During this program, they will engage with their U.S. counterparts in knowledge exchanges focused on advancing human rights and combating systemic racism, discrimination, violence, and xenophobia. 

Among the honorees is John Leerdam from the Netherlands. A prominent advocate for racial equity, Mr. Leerdam has dedicated more than 40 years to fighting for racial justice in Dutch society. His contributions include serving as a Member of Parliament, founding Black Achievement Month to celebrate Black excellence in the arts, and advising ministries on the International Decade for People of African Descent. Leerdam is also involved in the development of Amsterdam's National Slavery Museum. He holds a master’s degree in fine arts from Columbia University and is being honored for his tireless efforts to advance the rights of Black Dutch citizens and promote the recognition of people of African descent in the Netherlands. 

The 2024 awardees also include Dintie Sule Tayiru (Ghana), Elvis Shakjiri (North Macedonia), Urmila Chaudhary (Nepal), Tanya Duarte (Mexico), and Tomasa Yarhui Jacomé (Bolivia). Their collective work underscores the global fight for equality and the continued effort to address racial injustice worldwide.