Jerome Underwood, President and CEO of Action for a Better Community, received the National Drum Major for Justice Award from the National Community Action Partnership at their Annual Convention in Atlanta on Thursday, August 24.
The National Drum Major for Justice Award is named in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct” from February 4, 1968, in which he said, in part: “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness…”
The National Community Action Partnership, a membership organization representing over 1,000 public and private Community Action Agencies across the United States, presents this award to recognize individuals who have not only worked to examine structural race, gender, and other inequities within their Community Action Agency and community but have also built the capacity to address equity within their agency and communities to ensure all families have access to opportunity.
Mr. Underwood was nominated for the award by both Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Monroe County Executive, Adam Bello.
Mayor Evans, in his nomination letter, observed: “Whether he is talking about the challenges facing a young mother in the Head Start program or the deep and complex historical legacy of redlining and other forms of racial inequity in our city, Jerome brings both his personal passion and his determination to bring about transformational change. He is a respected elder in the community and an incalculable resource to our collaborative efforts. He understands that no one person can do the work, often repeating a favorite proverb, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’”
County Executive Bello also noted Mr. Underwood’s passion for equity and justice through his participation in Monroe County’s Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (aka the RASE Commission): “I have witnessed first-hand how Jerome Underwood used a mix of urgency, passion, and a spirit of partnership to advocate for systemic change in our community. I consider him a true community resource on issues of equity and racial justice.”
Mr. Underwood has also convened ABC’s annual Signature Conferences to bring community leaders and others together to promote a deeper understanding of how structural racism has negatively impacted people of color in the areas of housing, home ownership, health, economic development and many other areas.
Regarding his recognition, Mr. Underwood had this to say: “It is indeed an honor to be selected for such a prestigious award. I am grateful yet motivated as there is still so much work ahead in order to make the kind of systemic change that would bring about equity and justice for those who have been denied it for so long. The dedicated staff of ABC also deserve recognition for the tireless justice work they do daily.”
A short video recognizing Mr. Underwood’s work in the Greater Rochester community can be found at https://youtu.be/YeoEDFVD5rs.
Provided information
