2026 Higginbotham Leadership Awards Gala

On September 23, 2026, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law gathered at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City for the 2026 Higginbotham Leadership Awards Gala, an evening celebrating courage, leadership and an enduring commitment to justice and equity.

This year, the Lawyers’ Committee presented the Robert F. Kennedy Justice Prize to Stacey Abrams, activist, author and voting rights champion, and the Courageous Client Award to Mamie Cunningham, representing the clients in Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP v. Mississippi State Board of Election Commissioners. Together, our honorees embody the courage and persistence required to protect voting rights, strengthen Black political power and continue building a democracy in which every community has the voice, opportunity and power it deserves. 

Explore moments from an unforgettable evening celebrating the people, partnerships and collective resolve that continue to move the fight for civil rights forward.

Photo Credit: Imagine Photography / Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law