American Courage Awards 2024
Norman Y. Mineta Spirit Award Honoree: Sarah Zhang, Dedicated Advocate for Educational Equity and Inclusion
We celebrate Sarah’s spirit of resilience, compassion, and dedication that defines the Norman Y. Mineta Spirit Award
As we approach Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC’s annual American Courage Awards on October 3, 2024, we are thrilled to spotlight our esteemed honorees. This event pays tribute to individuals, groups, and organizations that have made significant strides in civil rights. Among the accolades, the Norman Y. Mineta Spirit Award stands out as a tribute to young advocates who embody unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience in their efforts to uplift their communities. This award is a heartfelt homage to the extraordinary legacy of former Secretary of Transportation, Norman Y. Mineta.
This year, we are proud to announce Sarah Zhang as the recipient of the Norman Y. Mineta Spirit Award.
Sarah, a senior at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), exemplifies the young leadership that this award seeks to celebrate. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Sarah’s journey is marked by a deep commitment to educational equity and access, driven by their experiences as a Chinese American growing up in a predominantly white suburb. Understanding the critical importance of inclusion, Sarah has dedicated themselves to developing diverse curricula and shaping school board policies that uplift historically resilient communities.
Sarah’s belief in the transformative power of education led them to establish the Affirmative Action Coalition at UNC-CH. Through this coalition, Sarah has worked tirelessly to dismantle stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans and race-conscious admissions. They have organized multiple outreach efforts across campus and collaborated with university leaders to navigate the challenges of a post-affirmative action world, emphasizing the essential role that diversity plays in educational spaces. Currently, Sarah is focused on building TransparUNCy, a new initiative aimed at supporting the UNC public school system in the wake of recent decisions to eliminate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs from UNC’s 16+ public universities.
Beyond their work with the Coalition, Sarah has served the communities of Pennsylvania and North Carolina as a former intern in the House of Representatives and as a field organizer for local and national campaigns. Their leadership extends to the tech space as well, where they lead Girls Who Code at UNC-CH. This organization is dedicated to teaching local middle and high school girls how to program, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Sarah’s work is guided by the principles of empathy, solidarity, and community building, values instilled in them by the public schools and teachers who have shaped them into the passionate advocates they are today.
In honoring Sarah Zhang, we celebrate not only an exceptional individual but also the spirit of resilience, compassion, and dedication that defines the Norman Y. Mineta Spirit Award. Sarah’s journey reminds us that transformative change is within our reach, and with passionate advocates like them, the future holds the promise of a more inclusive and empowered society for all. Congratulations, Sarah, on your outstanding contributions and your well-deserved recognition as the recipient of the Norman Y. Mineta Spirit Award.
Our 2024 American Courage Awards signature event will honor individuals and those in the corporate sector who have shown extraordinary commitment to civil rights on Thursday, October 3 at The National Press Club in Washington, DC. Register to attend here.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. Visit our website at advancingjustice-aajc.org
