Brookgreen Garden’s Sandy Island School House has been named to the African American Civil Rights Network of the National Park Service as of September 2021 for its use as a citizenship school in the 1950s and 60s for adults to overcome literacy laws that prevented voter registration.

In celebration of Brookgreen Gardens' 90th Anniversary, 2022 will be the first year of the Huntington Exemplary Service Award in recognition of individuals that have contributed to improving race relations in our communities from June 19, 2021, through January 17, 2022, Martin Luther King Day. 

The awardees will be recognized during Brookgreen’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 18, 2022.

Selection criteria for nominees are individuals who have demonstrated any one or all of the following:

a. Involvement in community engagement to raise awareness of concerns about freedom and equality.

b. Involvement in social justice work and activism.

c. Providing a safe place for youth and adults to speak truth to power.

d. Effecting change through creative arts and expression.

Note: We ask that no persons currently holding an elected office or actively running for office are nominated at this time.

We will accept nominations through January 31, 2022, for this year's awards. 

Submit your nomination below.