President Viera Awarded NAACP Trailblazer of Education Award

November 20, 2023

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary President Javier A. Viera was awarded the 2023 Trailblazer of Education award from the Evanston/North Shore National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at its 59th annual Freedom Fund Banquet on November 18.

“We are deeply proud of Javier’s commitment to the Garrett community, the city of Evanston, and all things social justice,” said the Reverend Dr. Michael C. R. Nabors, president of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP.

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized in this way by an organization with such a long and distinguished history in the Evanston area,” said President Viera. “This recognition is truly a way of recognizing the transformative work that Garrett’s faculty and staff make possible each and every day, and I’m fortunate and proud to be able to accept it on their behalf.”

The Evanston/North Shore NAACP selects one individual annually to receive this award, and goes to an educator who “exemplifies the major attributes of an outstanding educator, including—but not limited to—the leadership, empathy, collaboration, innovation, open communication, and problem solving.” Awardees are typically educators from one of the area’s local school systems, colleges, or universities who have made significant contributions in their fields.