In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, 23-year-old Columbia graduate Chelsea Miller was dismayed by the disorganization of the protests that she attended in her native Brooklyn. So she and some college friends—all Black women—decided to start their own protest, which they called Freedom March NYC. Using her leadership and entrepreneurial skills, Miller created a movement focusing not just on peaceful street protests, but also on the leadership development for Black girls. Raised by a struggling but strong single mother in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood, Miller overcame many obstacles to become a student at Columbia, and an inspiring community leader. She brought those skills to bear during the tumultuous summer of 2020.
From the Judges
While in general we frowned on profiles of individuals, this one set itself apart as a profile of a movement as seen through the prism of one individual's leadership in a particular region. It was a unique approach, and we appreciated the balanced way the narrative unfolded.
