The Atlanta-based Trumpet Foundation awarded Wayne County Community College District Chancellor and Institute for Social Progress Founder Dr. Curtis L. Ivery its prestigious “Trumpet Award” for Education on January 23, 2016.

The Trumpet Awards, originally presented by Turner Broadcasting in 1993, were created to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans across all sectors of society who have succeeded against immense odds. Previous recipients of the award include Stevie Wonder, the Tuskegee Airmen, The Honorable Eric H. Holder Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jamie Foxx, and others.

Ivery, raised in rural poverty in Texas, ascended to national prominence as a leader in urban American affairs and higher education.

Dr. Curtis Ivery became the Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) on September 1, 1995.  As the chief executive officer, Ivery directs the six campus, multicultural institution serving more than 70,000 students annually, in a 550 square-mile district.

Prior to becoming Chancellor of WCCCD, Ivery served as vice president of instruction and acting president at Mountain View College of Dallas County Community College District.    Ivery served as Commissioner of Human Services for the State of Arkansas and was the first African American and the youngest appointee to the Cabinet of the Governor of Arkansas.  He has written and published more than 400 articles for several weekly and monthly metropolitan newspapers across the nation and has published nearly a dozen books, including recent titles America’s Urban Crisis and the Advent of Color-Blind Politics: Education, Incarceration, Segregation, and the Future of the U.S. Multiracial Democracy, Black Fatherhood: Reclaiming Our Legacy  and Reclaiming Integration and the Language of Race in the “Post-Racial” Era.

“The Best Man” actress Nia Long and “Survivor’s Remorse” actor Mike Epps, hosted the black-tie ceremony at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, January 23, 2016. The 24th Annual Trumpet Awards aired on Bounce TV and nationally in over 75 markets.

Among the other honorees at this year’s ceremony include GRAMMY Award winning and platinum-selling artist Ne-Yo, who will be presented with “The Visionary Award;” global humanitarian and advocate Princess Basmah Bint Saud of Saudi Arabia, television and film producer Will Packer, who will be honored with the “Entertainment Award;” comedian and actor George Wallace will receive the “Legend Award” and Alicia Boler Davis, EVP and COO of General Motors will be honored with the “Corporate Executive of the Year Award.”

A prominent leader in higher education and scholar in urban American affairs, Dr. Ivery established the Institute for Social Progress in 2006 to advance real-world, on-the-ground solutions to inequities in education and civic participation.