Syracuse, NY - Melanie Littlejohn once spent six weeks helping community members and corporate executives share their stories about racism. The talks lasted two hours each week, and she slowly noticed a change: Some executives had begun recruiting employees of more diverse backgrounds. Others offered diversity training for staff or increased volunteering in community organizations. “I love seeing how people...
Syracuse, NY - Melanie Littlejohn once spent six weeks helping community members 
Melanie Littejohn will receive the Freedom Award on Wednesday from the Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP for her work as a facilitator for the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism. and corporate executives share their stories about racism.
The talks lasted two hours each week, and she slowly noticed a change: Some executives had begun recruiting employees of more diverse backgrounds. Others offered diversity training for staff or increased volunteering in community organizations.
“I love seeing how people turn their dialogue into constructive action,” said Littlejohn, a facilitator for the Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism, a program aimed at getting people to talk about and address racism in Syracuse.
It’s this commitment to change that has earned Littlejohn the 2010 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Freedom Award, the top honor the organization bestows on people who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their community.
Littlejohn and nine others will receive awards at the NAACP Syracuse/Onondaga’s 31st annual Freedom Awards Banquet, Wednesday at the Doubletree Hotel off Carrier Circle in DeWitt.
“Melanie was chosen for her outstanding work in the community,” said Preston Fagan, president of the local NAACP chapter. “There’s not one thing we can put our finger on, but she’s just always been a person to go to with a community problem — she’s always done everything she could to help.”
As early as 1992, Littlejohn launched an HIV program with the Urban League to educate Syracuse teens.
Since then, she’s been on the boards of several community organizations. Littlejohn works for National Grid, as a regional executive of energy solutions delivery, and said she hopes to use her career to support local youth.
“I have a great role in National Grid, and I really want to share my experiences with young people and, hopefully, be an inspiration and let them know what they can do,” Littlejohn said.
From helping people talk about racism to managing electricity for the New York State Fair’s Pan-African Village, Littlejohn has often lent a helping hand to the community.
“Most people get to a point where they say, ‘OK, I’ve had enough,’” said Linda Brown-Robinson, a lifetime member of the NAACP who has known Littlejohn’s for 15 years or more. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard Melanie say ‘no.’ She’s just that kind of person.”
The next item on Littlejohn’s to-do list will be the eighth annual Duck Race to End Racism June 12. Plastic ducks are raced in the Inner Harbor for a $1,000 grand prize. The proceeds with fund programs for local one-on-one talks about racism.
In receiving her award next week, Littlejohn said she hopes to keep bringing attention to advocacy in the community.
“The thing that I feel most passionate about is lending a voice to the voiceless,” Littlejohn said. “Anytime we talk about advocacy and social justice in such a positive spirit, it always does good.”
Contact Lyndra Vassar at lvassar@syracuse.com or 470-2259.
Other honorees
The NAACP Syracuse/Onondaga also is making the following awards:
Community Service Awards:
Jeff Costello, for more than 25 years of work with youth of Central New York.
Dr. Alvin Holmes, for providing dental care to low-income residents.
Vicki Brackens, for her role as a financial adviser, helping people in the community.
George Kilpatrick, for promoting African-Americans in radio, television and documentary films.
Richard Ford, for his work with Signature Music Camp, a nonprofit organization that offers music lessons to youth and teens. He also works with NAACP youth.
Roosevelt Wright, for teaching in radio, television, and performance at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Recognition Award:
The Rev. Roosevelt Baums, for his efforts in the First United Methodist Church of Minoa, where he provides ministry, classes, and recreational programs for senior citizens. He also helped start a senior adult transportation service.
Youth Award:
Khaleed Turnquest, for his role as an honor-roll student at the Syracuse Academy of Science and president of the Syracuse-Onondaga NAACP Youth Chapter.
Memorial Service Award:
Emanuel “Emo” Henderson, who worked with the NAACP for many years. He died in April.
If you go ...
What: The Syracuse/Onondaga NAACP Chapter’s 31st annual banquet
Speaker: Monique W. Morris, NAACP vice president for research and advocacy and member of Delta Sigma Theta
Where: DoubleTree Hotel, off Carrier Circle, DeWitt
When: Wednesday; Reception at 6 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $75 at the door. (That includes a lifetime membership with the NAACP Syracuse-Onondaga Chapter).
For more information: 315-422-6933