2025 International Freedom Conductor® Awards

An evening of reflection and live performances to celebrate modern-day freedom heroes and
equity advocates.

Saturday, May 24, 2025
7:30 p.m. at Aronoff Center

Enjoy an evening of live entertainment, stirring speeches and a powerful call to action as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center honors four modern-day freedom heroes with its highest honor - the International Freedom Conductor Award. This year, the Freedom Center will honor: 
Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth 
Toni Morrison*, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author of The Bluest Eye and Beloved 
Lonnie G. Bunch III, first African American Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 
Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist and author of The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents In the spirit of legendary figures Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and hundreds more unnamed heroes of the 19th century, the International Freedom Conductor Awards recognizes those individuals lighting a path through the wilderness toward a brighter, more equitable future. 

Sponsorship
Sponsorship packages are still available. Please contact Robert Copeland at rcopeland@nurfc.org for information.