Louis E. Martin Great American Award Recipients

The award is named after Louis E. Martin (1912-1997), a principal founder of the Joint Center and the first chair of its Board. As a Chicago Defender journalist, Black newspaper publisher, and an advisor to three presidents, Martin was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Among friends and colleagues, Martin was known for expressing his warmest respects with his favorite compliment: “You are a great American.”