The Common Good Forum

American Spirit Awards Gala

Thursday, May 18th from 6:00 to 9:30 pm EST

New-York Historical Society

170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

The American Spirit Awards are given each year to those extraordinary individuals who exemplify the best of the American spirit, demonstrating their commitment to our constitutional democracy, to freedom, to equality, to dignity for all, and to the common good. 

These heroes include awardees Nancy Pelosi, Henry “Skip” Gates, Judge J. Michael Luttig, Ambassador Bill Richardson. Secretary Jeh Johnson and Ray McGuire are among our distinguished presenters for the ceremony. Explore our full Lineup Below:

American Spirit Awardees for 2023

with more surprise announcements to come!

• Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. / Thought Leadership

  Current Director of Harvard University's Hutchins Center for African and African American Research and literary critic, historian, and Emmy award winning filmmaker Skip Gates for his innovation in the field.

• Fred Guttenberg / Citizen Activism 

As a passionate advocate for thoughtful gun safety measures following the murder of his daughter Jaime in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

• Federal CIrcuit Court Judge J. Michael Luttig / Courage in Public Service

  For upholding our nation’s democracy and constitution through his courage and wisdom advising former Vice President Mike Pence to not change votes during the electoral college certification on January 6th, 2021.

• former AMbassador and Governor Bill Richardson / Distinguished Public Service 

For his efforts to free and bring home American hostages and prisoners from hostile nations including North Korea, Cuba, Iraq and the Sudan.

• Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi / Distinguished Public Service

  For her lifetime of distinguished leadership, serving as the architect of such historic legislation as the Affordable Care Act and American Rescue Plan, upholding our nation’s ideals, and dedication to the American people.

• Business icon and activist Bernard Schwartz / Distinguished Business Leadership 

For a lifetime of dedication to civic affairs including a decades-long effort to renew and modernize America’s infrastructure through legislation finally passed this year with bipartisan support by the US Congress.

• The Capitol and Metro police officers / Courage in Public Service 

For their exemplary bravery in fighting for hours in hand-to-hand combat against the mob during the January 6th assault on the US Capitol, with some paying the ultimate sacrifice - some

• HARRY DUNN

• CAROLINE EDWARDS

• MICHAEL FANONE

• AQUILINO GONELL

• EUGENE GOODMAN

• BRIAN SICKNICK - His posthumous award will be accepted by his mother, GLADYS SICKNICK

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Dinner tickets and Table Packages