Dr. Samuel Robinson was a former member of the KBE (1991-2004) who made diversity and equity in public education his life's work. A noted educator and civil rights leader, Robinson began his career in Kentucky in Louisville in 1960. His diverse background in public education included everything from principal at Shawnee High School to President of the Lincoln Foundation. Robinson also was a well-known community figure as Louisville navigated the Civil Rights era. Each year, the KBE grants this award to a Kentuckian or a Kentucky organization demonstrating extraordinary efforts and contributions in the area of educational diversity and equity. The criteria for receiving this award includes, but is not limited to:
Successful efforts in closing socioeconomic and/or racial achievement gaps;
Significantly improving student learning, student achievement, or other measured outcomes among students of color or economically disadvantaged students.