Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, AmeriCorps, on behalf of President Biden, officially announced Congresswoman Frederica Wilson was awarded the prestigious President’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to serving her community. Founded by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the President’s Volunteer Service Award honors those who have made a long-lasting impact on their communities. 

“I’m deeply honored to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award, emphasizing the power of community and service. My dedication to uplifting America’s children, whether as an educator, principal or through initiatives like 5000 Role Models of Excellence, underscores the importance of unlocking our children’s potential and removing barriers to success," said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. "This recognition from President Biden and CEO Michael Smith, along with AmeriCorps’ support, reaffirms our collective commitment to a brighter, inclusive future, and I thank them for this tremendous honor.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Smith participated in the 5000 Role Models’ Youth and Police Conference, where he spoke to more than 400 middle and high school students and local law enforcement about the power of service. During this event, Smith honored Representative Frederica Wilson (FL-24) with the President’s Volunteer Service Award Lifetime Achievement.

“It was an honor to join Representative Frederica Wilson to see how service is creating lasting impact in Florida’s 24th Congressional District,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps.“As a former educator, elementary school principal, school board member, state legislator and founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project—Representative Wilson has dedicated her life and career to dismantling barriers and creating opportunity for children and families too often overlooked.” 

In a letter to Congresswoman Wilson, President Biden said, “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. I congratulate you on taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good, and I’m Proud to present you with the President’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of your 5,000 hours of service to this great nation. By sharing your time and passion, you are helping discover and deliver solutions to the challenges we face – solutions that we need now more than ever.” President Biden continued by saying, “We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another. Through your service, you are providing all three.”

Among her many notable initiatives, Congresswoman Wilson founded and has been a staunch advocate for the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a program aimed at breaking the school-to-prison pipeline and empowering young men of color toward success. Her leadership and advocacy within this initiative has had a profound impact on countless lives, providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for young men of color to excel academically and professionally.

As a former teacher and public-school principal at then Skyway Elementary School ­– now called the Frederica S. Wilson Elementary ­– she has been a constant advocate for children. She then served on the Miami-Dade School Board and was a Miami-Dade County Public School Administrator before she became a State Representative and State Senator. In 2011, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson began her service in the U.S. House of Representatives and championed issues ranging from education, racial justice, income inequality, and reproductive justice in Congress, among others. 

Receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award is a testament to Congresswoman Wilson’s enduring commitment to making a positive difference in her community and beyond. Her dedication to service serves as an inspiration to many in the community, demonstrating the profound impact that individuals can have when they devote themselves wholeheartedly to the betterment of others.

For a copy of President Biden’s letter to the Congresswoman, click here.

For the full release announced by AmeriCorps, click here. 

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Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a seventh-term lawmaker from Florida, representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and lifelong educator, she founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a mentoring and dropout prevention program for boys and young men of color. Congresswoman Wilson is also the founder and chair of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and the Florida Ports Caucus. This bipartisan task force coordinates federal action to support Florida’s harbors and waterways and is a proud member of the Congressional HBCU Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus. The Florida lawmaker sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Ranking Member the Education and Labor Committee’s Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee and serves on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee.