National Bar Association announces 2021 Wiley A. Branton Award Recipients 

The National Bar Association’s Annual Wiley A. Branton Symposium is named in honor of civil rights advocate and social justice engineer Wiley Branton who fought tirelessly through his work in the courtroom to advance the progress of people of color by working to eradicate social injustices. In conjunction with the symposium, the NBA recognizes barristers whose careers exemplify Wiley Branton’s objectives of civil rights and equal justice for all. The NBA is proud to honor this year’s various Wiley Branton Award Recipients as their careers clearly outline their commitment to being a change agent and using their legal acumen for the greater good. This year’s awards will be bestowed upon the recipients at the Westin Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi during various awards presentations throughout the symposium.

The 2021 Presidential Rising Star Award will be presented to the award recipients on Friday, October 15, 2021, at 9 AM EST. This year's recipients of the 2021 President Rising Star Award are:

Judge Latrice Westbrooks
Attorney Scott Colom
Senator Derrick Simmons

The 2021 Presidential Visionary Award will be presented to the award recipients on October 15, 2021, at 9 AM EST. This year's recipients of the Presidential Visionary Award are:
Mayor Chuck Espy
Ashley Robinson

The 2021 Presidential Unsung Hero Award will be  presented to the award recipients on October 15, 2021, at 11:30 AM EST. This year's recipients of the Presidential Unsung Hero Award are:
Judge Deborah McDonald
Attorney Kenneth Mayfield
Attorney Carroll Rhodes

 The 2021 Presidential Black Excellence Award will be presented to the award recipients on October 15, 2021, at 11:30 AM EST. The 2021 recipients of the Presidential Black Excellence Award are:
Dean Patricia Bennett
Attorney Robert Gibbs
Attorney Orlando Richmond

The Wiley A. Branton Award will be presented to the recipients on October 15, 2021, 11:30 AM EST. The 2021 recipients of the Wiley A. Branton Award are:
Congressman Bennie Thompson
Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture - Mike Espy
Attorney Robert McDuff

The recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award is Judge Bernice Donald and she will be presented with the award on October 15, 2021, at 11:30 AM EST.