Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Newsweek/Stubblefield Institute Civility Award under the category of State & Community Leaders. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify civility in political communication, bipartisan collaboration, and fostering unity.
Patel, a civic leader dedicated to making religious diversity a strength of American democracy, has worked extensively with governments, universities, and private organizations to bridge divides through faith cooperation. Named one of “America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Patel also served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council and has authored five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy.
The awards ceremony, held on December 10, 2024, at Newsweek’s global headquarters in New York City, celebrated leaders committed to promoting civil discourse and inclusion. Patel’s recognition highlights his lifelong efforts to foster thoughtful dialogue and collaboration across diverse communities.
Newsweek’s editor-in-chief, Nancy Cooper, emphasized the importance of celebrating leaders like Patel, stating, “In an era of fierce polarization, civil discourse and diverse perspectives are crucial for democracy. These awards honor those who lead by example.”
The event, titled Better Workplaces: How to Foster Inclusion and Civility, also encouraged the American public to nominate deserving leaders demonstrating civility in their fields, reinforcing the importance of constructive communication in a divided world.
