A week ago today, the world lost two champions of social justice: Reverend C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis.
Words cannot adequately express the contributions these men have made in the struggle for civil rights and equality in America. While working on different assignments at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, both men fully devoted themselves to the same mission and vision shared by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To their dying day, they were devoted to helping America realize her promise to ensure freedom and justice for all, in all areas of life.
Reverend Vivian shares a particularly special place in the heart of Operation HOPE. A close friend of Ambassador Andrew Young, Reverend Vivian could often be seen at the HOPE global headquarters in Atlanta and in attendance at the HOPE Global Forums, where he was honored in 2016 with the HOPE Founding Civil Rights to Silver Rights Award for his life’s work and positive effect on both basic human dignity and global economic growth. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the nation, in 2013 by President Barack Obama.
We salute and remember the men who helped pave the way for the modern-day Silver Rights Movement and are honored to carry on their legacy through our work.
