| The Franklin H. Williams award was conceived by New York Regional Peace Corps recruiter Leslie Jean-Pierre* in 1999. The event initially focused solely in the New York Region for African American Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who exemplified the Third Goal of Peace Corps through community service. The second year the ceremony was a national event where each Regional Peace Corps Recruiting Office participated, and the event was held at Peace Corps Headquarters. In 2001, to be inclusive of all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Color, the awards ceremony was expanded to include other RPCVs of Color. The rationale was to better connect nominees with Peace Corps' recruitment and outreach activities and connect them to applicants of color. All Peace Corps recruiting offices continue to participate, and the event remains national in scope. This year is its 5th year running. |
