Main Page - 59th Annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner

The annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards is inextricably linked to the 1966 merger of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Teachers Association (ATA). ATA, which represented Black teachers in segregated schools in the South, traditionally honored leaders in the justice and civil rights movement at an annual awards dinner. This inspirational program was necessary to acknowledge progress in the movement towards justice nationwide, and to uplift positive impacts on the education of students of color. As a new merged Association, the NEA has proudly held to this tradition each year since 1967, celebrating leaders in racial justice, social justice, human and civil rights.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Tickets do sell out in advance.

Please DO NOT DELAY or plan to wait until convention time to buy your tickets. NEA will hold one table (seating 10) for each state affiliate until Friday May 1, 2026. If payment is not received by that date, the table will be released. No other tables will be held until your payment has been received