Celebrating the Just Brooklyn Prize Winners
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, and we are excited to introduce the remarkable individuals who have been awarded the Just Brooklyn Prize. Each winner will receive a generous, no-strings-attached grant of $20,000. We will also explore an intriguing story about how a man currently incarcerated in New York could potentially influence a House race in Alaska.
Among the winners is Christine Yvette Lewis, who has dedicated the last decade to advocating for the rights of domestic workers through her role with Domestic Workers United, a grassroots organization based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Lewis, who serves as the culture outreach coordinator, often found herself in a position where she financed the rental of their meeting space from her own pocket.
“There were times when the organization was waiting for grant approvals, and I had to step up to ensure we could meet,” Lewis shared. “I sometimes paid for the space out of my own pocket, hoping our efforts would eventually bear fruit.”
Despite the challenges, Lewis’s unwavering commitment did not go unnoticed. She has been honored as one of the five recipients of the prestigious Just Brooklyn Prize for 2024. This recognition is a testament to her tireless work and the impact she has made in her community.
Each of the five recipients will receive $20,000, courtesy of the Social Justice Fund, a nonprofit organization established by Clara Wu Tsai. Clara, along with her husband Joe Tsai, owns both the New York Liberty and the Brooklyn Nets. The Social Justice Fund administers these awards in collaboration with Brooklyn.org, formerly known as the Brooklyn Community Foundation. This organization focuses on channeling grants to various nonprofits, addressing immediate crises while also investing in long-term projects that foster social equity.
The Just Brooklyn Prize not only provides financial support but also acknowledges the hard work and dedication of individuals like Christine Yvette Lewis, who continue to fight for justice and equality in their communities.
