Black History Honorees
Martin Luther King Jr.
In celebration of Black History Month, The Fair Housing Council is honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his significant contributions to Civil Rights and the pursuit of fair housing for all. His efforts were essential to the passing of the U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Jackie Robinson
The Fair Housing Council is honoring Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to join Major League Baseball. Not only was Jackie a trailblazer on the field, but in the community as well. He was an instrumental figure in the early stages of the Civil Rights movement and was later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Shirley Chisholm
In celebration of Black History Month, the Fair Housing Council would like to recognize the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. She became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. Her significant efforts towards women’s equality played an instrumental role in a woman’s right to fair housing, accessible nutrition for infants and mothers, and other social services. Shirley Chisolm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
John Lewis
In celebration of Black History Month, the Fair Housing Council would like to recognize the late Congressman John Lewis. He was one of the original 13 Freedom Riders whose mission was to bring awareness and change to segregationist practices in the South. Mr. Lewis fought side-by-side with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for civil rights, which included fair housing for all. He was first elected to Congress in 1986 and served 17 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. John Lewis was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 by President Barack Obama. Mr. Lewis died on July 17, 2020.
