Soledad O'Brien at Morehouse College For Award Ceremonies

Soledad O'Brien was in Atlanta recently for Morehouse College's "Soledad O'Brien Freedom's Voice Award" ceremony.

Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine gave awards at the third annual Freedom's Voice Conference and "Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award Gala" on October 7, 2010.

The 2010 Community Voices Freedom's Voice Conference "When the Gates Open: Building Linkages between Reentry & Healthcare," examined the unique needs of individuals reentering communities who have histories of mental illness or substance abuse.

Partnering with University Legal Services and the Drug Policy Alliance Network, the event offered specialized and intensive workshops that address mental health and substance abuse concerns among individuals in reentry.

Soledad O'Brien, CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent, and Jamal Simmons, political commentator and journalist, facilitated discussions with widely respected reentry experts on what can be done to address this urgent issue.

The Soledad O'Brien Freedom's Voice Award was created in honor of Ms. O’Brien to honor her for her determination to cover stories that might otherwise go untold and to recognize other outstanding catalyst for social change.

This year, the award will honor went to two outstanding individuals.

Acclaimed actor and author, Hill Harper’s work and overall concern for the issues that affect our nation and our youth, along with his leadership and vision to empower and uplift, makes him an outstanding honoree.

Kevin Liles is the founder and CEO of KWL Enterprises and former Executive Vice President of Time Warner Music Group, author, philanthropist, motivational speaker and consultant to a myriad of entertainment and political boards. His leadership and committed involvement in encouraging, diversifying and empowering communities and our nation serves as a model and inspiration to future leaders.

Soledad O'Brien Freedom's Voice Award

On April 11, Soledad received the first Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award, which was created in her honor by Community Voices at the Morehouse School of Medicine.

At the conclusion of the three-day conference of national leaders in health care disparities and civil rights, the organization honored CNN anchor and special correspondent her with the award created to recognize her accomplishments and willingness to be a voice for the voiceless in our society, and her determination to cover stories that might otherwise go untold.

It will be given annually to mid-career professionals who serve as catalysts for social change in their given fields. In years to come, Ms. O'Brien will guide an advisory committee in naming future recipients for the award who, like her, have worked tirelessly and effectively to expose problems our society has not wanted to face.

The event was hosted by Ms. O'Brien, and co-chaired by philanthropist and actor Jane Fonda, Joseph Stewart, Trustee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and CNN Worldwide President Jim Walton.