LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Several influential Louisvillians were honored on Sunday for their role in making the city a better place.
Keepers of the Dream Freedom Awards were held at the Kentucky Center in downtown Louisville. The Freedom Award is given to citizens who "best exemplify the ideals of Dr. (Martin Luther) King's vision" at the annual event, a celebration that "will honor and recognize all the outstanding citizens of Louisville who have received this honor."
The program highlighted Black joy and the advancement of the Civil Rights movement. This year's recipients included Carolle Jones Clay and Kentucky state Sen. Gerald Neal.
"Dr. King said when one commits themselves to noble struggle for equal rights they make themselves a better person and they make a greater nation of their country and a finer world to live in," Gov. Andy Beshear said. "I can't think of a better mission than that."
Neal became the first African American man elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 1989 and has served Jefferson County for more than 30 years as a voice for minorities, senior citizens and underserved communities. He currently serves as the Minority Floor Leader.
In his time in office, Neal has sponsored legislation such as amending the state's constitution to remove segregation by race, and legislation creating the KCHIP Program, which covers uninsured children and expands Medicaid coverage. He was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001.
Jones Clay is the senior vice president and managing director of Community Relations for Republic Bank, where she has worked since 1998. She has also served as the president of the Republic Bank Foundation since February 2020.
Jones Clay is credited with the bank's "community relations and philanthropy efforts" and oversees its Special Events Department. She also serves on several local boards, including the Kentucky Performing Arts Foundation, Louisville Downtown Partnership, Louisville Depression Center Advisory Council, Kentucky Historical Society Foundation and the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Along with the awards, there were performances by the River City Drum Corp, Keen Dance Theatre and Redline Performing Arts.
The Freedom Award has been given every year except 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, since 1988.
Past Freedom Award recipients include former Louisville basketball star Junior Bridgeman, WAVE 3 News anchor Dawn Gee, Louisville civil rights activist Mattie Jones, and former Jefferson County Board of Education Chair Diane Porter.
For more information about this year's Keepers of the Dream event and to look at past Freedom Award recipients, click here.
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