PRINCETON, NJ: Not In Our Town (NIOT), an interracial, interfaith social action group, presented Unity Awards on May 6 to two eighth graders at John Witherspoon Middle School (Isaiah Sigler and Sumaiyya Stephens) and four seniors at Princeton High School — Halima-Rakiya Gikandi, Jemima Nelson, Handy Pierre, and Milosh Popovic.

The Unity Awards, presented at a reception at Princeton University’s Carl A. Fields Center, honor students who are role models in their efforts to promote respect for diversity and to advance the cause of race relations. Each student received a certificate; they will also receive a gift at honors assemblies in their schools, scheduled for June 5 at Princeton High Schooland June 11 at John Witherspoon Middle School.   

Not in Our Town aims to speak truth about ‘everyday racism’ and other forms of prejudice and discrimination, says Wilma Solomon, NIOT president. In cooperation with the Princeton Public Library, NIOT presents a monthly discussion series, “Continuing Conversations on Race.” The organization, which consists of representatives from a dozen faith communities, also sponsors book readings, workshops, film series, panels, and anti-racism demonstrations.
 
“Our hope is that Princetonwill continue to grow as a town in which the ideals of friendship, community and pride in diversity prevail,” says Solomon.   
 

In these photos, Carole Krauthamer presents a certificate to each student.

Roland Glover photographed the students with their families, here and below. For more photos, click here