FPAF Celebrates the 2024 Secretary of State’s Global Anti-Racism Champions Award

Washington, DC – Today, Foreign Policy for America Foundation (FPAF) applauded the State Department for presenting the Second Annual Secretary of State’s Award for Global Anti-Racism Champions (GARC). This year’s award honors six outstanding individuals for their work combatting systemic racism, discrimination, and xenophobia in their communities around the world. This year’s awardees are: 

• Dintie Sule Tayiru, a human rights advocate for the Fulbe community from Ghana  

• Elvis Shakjiri, a Roma human rights activist from North Macedonia  

• Urmila Chaudhary, a Dalit and labor rights activist from Nepal  

• Tanya Duarte, an Afro-Mexican feminist and anti-racism activist from Mexico  

• Tomasa Yahuri Jacomé, an Indigenous political leader and human rights advocate from Bolivia  

• John Leerdam, a Black Dutch activist and former parliamentarian from the Netherlands  

“Today, Secretary Blinken acknowledged the hard work and bravery of six extraordinary activists working to protect the rights of racial and ethnic minorities around the world. We were inspired by their bravery and leadership,” said Andrew Albertson, Executive Director of FPAF. “We would like to thank Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, Desirée Cormier Smith, for helping establish this critical award, which exemplifies the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to affirm and defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of every human being.” 

“This year’s awardees are among the world’s most dedicated racial justice advocates, and we are honored to stand with them, alongside Secretary Blinken and Special Representative Cormier Smith,” said Kristina Biyad, Senior Director for Outreach at FPAF. “The GARC Award is essential in strengthening U.S. partnerships with civil society leaders around the world and reinforces our shared commitment to combating systemic racism and advancing inclusive democracy and human rights.” 

Established in 2023, the GARC Award is presented to individuals from civil society who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, leadership, and commitment to advancing the human rights of members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities. The award acknowledges the importance of civil society’s efforts to advance the human rights of members of marginalized racial and ethnic communities and combat systemic racism, discrimination, violence, xenophobia, and the impact of intersectionality.   

Foreign Policy for America Foundation is honored to support each year’s GARC Awardees with a $5,000 grant to continue their important work of combating systemic racism and xenophobia in their communities. A full list of 2024 GARC Awardee biographies can be found HERE. 

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