Marcus Allen, Sr. Awarded Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award

The Annual Reverend Wright Human Rights Award goes this year to Reverend Dr. Marcus Allen, Sr. The award will be presented at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 6:30 pm.

Reverend Allen's tireless efforts have had a profound impact on the lives of many individuals, especially our youth.

One of Reverend Allen's notable achievements is the creation of the Teaching and Reaching our Youth (T.R.Y.) Academy summer program, tailored for youth ages 12-17 who have been involved in the Juvenile Justice System. This program, born out of necessity, provides essential classes on leadership, finance, apprenticeship certification, meditation, self-regulation, and more. What really sets this program apart is the community engagement opportunities it offers including volunteer activities and visits to local businesses and libraries.

Reverend Allen's leadership extends beyond youth programs. He has played a pivotal role in organizing marches for justice and fostering open dialogues within the faith community. He has established partnerships with Dane County and other organizations to mentor teens aging out of Foster Care. Additionally, under his guidance, Mt. Zion Baptist Church now hosts a successful Behavioral Health Clinic, providing crucial services to the community.

Reverend Allen's community involvement is vast and impactful, ranging from collaborations with various initiatives like the Collaboration Project to participating in town halls addressing community policing. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his leadership roles in organizations like the African American Council of Churches and the Black Leadership Council.

In conclusion, Reverend Allen's unwavering dedication, leadership, and impactful contributions to the community make him a deserving candidate for the Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award.

The Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award honors the late Reverend James C. Wright, a civil rights pioneer in Madison. During the 1960s, he worked on the adoption of the City of Madison's Equal Opportunities Ordinance and served as Executive Director of the Equal Opportunities Commission from its inception in 1968 until his retirement in 1992. Reverend Wright was born in Camden, South Carolina.

The award is given to an individual who best exemplifies Reverend Wright's dedication and compassion for civil and human rights and who conducts their daily life consistent with these values.

Prior recipients of the award include: Jacqueline Wright, 1996; Dr. Richard H. Harris, 1997; Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson; 1998; Helen Vukelich, 1999; Anthony "Nino" Amato, 2000; John Noreika, Sr., 2001; Dr. John Y. Odom, 2002; Peter Muñoz, 2003; Earnestine Moss, 2004; Jonathan "Jon" Gramling, 2005; Agnes Gutierrez Cammer, 2006; Jeffery Erlanger, 2007; Professor Richard Davis, 2008; Darlene Hancock, 2009; Alfonso Studesville, 2010;  Richard V. Brown, Sr., 2011; Colleen Butler, 2012; Charlestine Daniel, 2013; Dr. Floyd Rose, 2014; Anthony Timmons, 2015; Annette Miller, 2016; Brandi Grayson, 2019; Tamora Fleming, 2020; Carmella Harris, 2021; Wayne Strong, 2022, Emanuel Scarbrough, 2023, and Reverend Dr. Marcus Allen, Sr. 2024.

For more information, see: www.cityofmadison.com/civil-rights/about/awards/reverend-james-c-wright-award