The Freedom Award, first presented in 1988, recognizes citizens that have dedicated their lives to promoting justice, peace, freedom, non-violence, racial equality and civic activism. This year’s recipient is Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott, Jr., an Alabama native who moved to Louisville in the early 1950s, has been pastor of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church since 1961. He has devoted his life to helping the poor, fighting the corrupt and teaching children that education and jobs – and not violence or gangs – are their tickets out of poverty and despair. Read more about Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott, Jr. here.