Governor Wes Moore Receives Joint Center Louis E. Martin Great American Award

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies honored Maryland Governor Wes Moore with its highest honor — the Louis E. Martin Great American Award — at The Gathering Spot in Washington, DC.

The ceremony included an award presentation and a policy discussion with distinguished panelists: Shalanda Young, 43rd Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget; Rey Ramsey, President and CEO of Nathan Cummings Foundation; and Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, as the moderator. The conversation highlighted how states — particularly Maryland — are meeting this moment through innovative approaches to governance that safeguard vulnerable communities, respond to federal funding cuts, and maintain investments for a better future.

The Louis E. Martin Great American Award recognizes individuals who have made transformational contributions that further the promise of America as a land of hope and opportunity for all. First awarded in 2004, the honor memorializes Louis E. Martin (1912–1997), a principal founder of the Joint Center and the first chair of its board.

Past recipients include Federal Reserve Board Member Dr. Lisa D. Cook, former Joint Center President Spencer Overton, Secretary of State Colin Powell (posthumously), La June Montgomery Tabron, Cedric Richmond, Stacey Abrams, then-Senator Kamala Harris, former Joint Center President Eddie Williams, Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, Senator Cory Booker, former Ambassador Susan Rice, Congressmen John Lewis and James Clyburn, Dorothy Height, and Muhammad Ali.

Watch Governor Wes Moore’s speech above, and see photos from the event below.