06/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2025 12:27
The City of Greensboro's Human Rights Department will honor five recently graduated James B. Dudley High School seniors with the 2025 Morningside Awards at a reception on Thursday, June 26, at 6 pm at the Barber Park Event Center, 1502 Barber Park Drive. Attendance is free and open to the public, but online registration at is requested.
The awards are presented annually to remember the five lives lost in a mass shooting at a 1979 anti-Ku Klux Klan protest in the City's Morningside Homes community. These honors recognize five graduating Dudley seniors for their commitment to social justice and equality. Each recipient receives $1,979 to support their future academic, employment, or entrepreneurial goals.
The 2025 honorees are Gabrielle Brown, Misa Brumby, Brinity Horton, Jordan Johnson, and Gabrielle Taylor.
Gabrielle Brown is a dedicated student-athlete who is passionate about service, equity, and healthcare access. The aspiring physical therapist wants to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities through education, outreach, and advocacy. Brown's leadership in initiatives like Dudley's Glasses for Ghana project reflects her mission to uplift others through empathy, collaboration, and meaningful action.
Misa Brumby is committed to addressing health disparities in underserved communities, specifically among Black infants with heart disease. She wants to become a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and plans to combine her medical expertise with education and mentorship to create systematic changes in healthcare access and equity. Through community projects and leadership, Brumby aims to inspire the next generation of minority healthcare providers.
Brinity Horton is deeply committed to service, leadership, and advocacy. A dual-enrolled student, dancer, and community volunteer, she draws strength from her identity as a young Black woman and her Christian faith. Horton seeks to address mental health disparities in underserved communities as a clinical social worker, using her voice, education, and compassion to create positive and lasting change.
Jordan Johnson is a student-athlete and aspiring healthcare professional dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities for African Americans. With a strong foundation in faith, cultural pride, and service, she plans to become an oncologist, promoting equity and access to food and healthcare. Her community service and leadership experiences reflect her commitment to creating meaningful change.
Gabrielle Taylor is a student leader whose personal journey fuels her passion for helping others find their voice. Drawing strength from her faith, family roots, and experience as an athlete and former speech therapy patient, Taylor plans to pursue a career as a licensed speech-language pathologist. Her long-term vision includes working in underserved communities, mentoring, advocating, and leading a life rooted in faith and compassion.
Greensboro's City Council established the Morningside Awards in 2020 to honor the lives of Cesar Cauce, Dr. Michael Nathan, William Evan Simpson, Sandray Neely Smith, and Dr. James Waller, who died during the shooting in 1979. The award celebrates Dudley seniors who demonstrate a commitment to social justice, human rights, and community leadership.
The Human Rights Department promotes mutual understanding, respect, and fair treatment for all Greensboro residents, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or familial status. For more information about the awards or the department, contact Outreach and Education Coordinator Paula Washington.