Each year, the Law Center honors and celebrates leaders who raise awareness about and advance solutions to homelessness and poverty. The prestigious awards are presented to innovative change-makers who are fighting for a future where everyone has a place to call home.
This year's Stewart B. McKinney Honoree, Jessica Bruder, is a journalist and author who has elevated the stories of people experiencing homelessness to new audiences across the world.
In her New York Times-bestselling book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century - made into a Golden Globe and Oscar winning film - Bruder tells a compelling, eye-opening tale of the dark underbelly of the American economy. The book not only received countless honors and awards, but more importantly it reached readers with profoundly personal stories of the realities of houselessness.
Building upon the success of Nomadland, Jessica has continued to share stories about the people she met on her travels - both of the people living in vehicles and of the people who are judging and fearful of their unhoused neighbors.
Through her writing, Jessica has helped give a face, a name, and a story to the thousands of people living in vehicles every year in America. And for not only elevating these stories, but for empowering those whose stories they are, the Law Center is humbled to honor Jessica Bruder with this year's Stewart B. McKinney Award.
The 23rd Annual McKinney-Vento Awards will be held virtually Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 3 PT / 6 ET.
Tickets are free, and you can register today!
Stewart B. McKinney Award
Jessica Bruder, author of Nomadland
Bruce F. Vento Award
Rep. Maxine Waters
Pro Bono Counsel Award
Sullivan & Cromwell
Featuring the LA CAN Freedom Singers
Thank you to our sponsors!
Address postal inquiries to:
National Homelessness Law Center
2000 M Street, N.W., Suite 750-E
Washington, DC 20036
Washington, DC 20036