This fall, LeVar Burton will be honored for his “outstanding global ethical leadership as an advocate for such important and worthy causes” in Cleveland, Ohio. At the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University, Burton will be presented with the 2019 Inamori Ethics Prize. Taking place on Sept. 19-20, 2019, Burton will be speaking as part of a panel discussion in addition to accepting the award.
Shannon E. French, Inamori Professor in Ethics and director of the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, is “delighted” to name Burton as the first-ever recipient of this award, citing the actor’s achievements both on and off screen. “His work for children’s literacy has had such profound impact. He has truly transformed lives through PBS’s Reading Rainbow and his nonprofit work. And he has also been a change agent in support of more funding for AIDS research.”
I’m speechless… https://t.co/EXeuCvb9Ej
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) February 28, 2019
French goes on to add, “Beyond these enduring contributions, as an actor he made the world confront the inhumanity of slavery with his searing, unforgettable performance as Kunta Kinte in Roots and helped us all imagine a better, more just future as a star of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He’s a wonderful example of what it is to be an ethical leader in the arts, and I know he will inspire our students and our community.”
This isn’t the only prestigious honor Burton may soon be receiving. Last month, it was reported that Sacramento’s City Parks Commission announced plans to rename Richfield Park in Meadowview to LeVar Burton Park. Although he as born in Germany, Burton moved to Sacramento at the age of 3, where he grew up. Similarly, they’re hoping to rename Saint Rose of Lima Park after Ali Youssefi, a local developer who passed away from cancer. The proposed name changes will be voted on by the City Council this month.
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