SIUE’s Amari’ah Carter Receives John Lewis Youth Leadership Award from IL Sec of State

SIUE's Amari'ah Carter Receives John Lewis Youth Leadership Award from IL Sec of State

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Amari'ah Carter received the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, a partnership between the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and Illinois Secretary of State. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias presented Carter the award during a ceremony on January 7th, 2025, at 2:30pm.

Carter is a senior studying Business Administration and a founding student member of the team that launched the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® on SIUE's campus. The six-week literacy and civic engagement program has served more than 200 elementary and middle school students in the East St. Louis area.

As shared by the Illinois Secretary of State newsroom, Carter led an all-girls class during the program's first year and was selected as a Sankofa Servant Leader in 2025, helping open a second site in Alton. By the end of the program, 84% of students improved their reading skills and 94% of parents reported increased civic engagement.

Carter took time to answer a few questions about her time here at SIUE.

Please share the moment you first heard the news about receiving the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.

The first time that I heard about the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award is when

Dr. Tandra Taylor forwarded it directly to me via email expressing her faith in me and stated I should consider it. The following email also included instructions and deadlines to complete.

I wasn't sure what it was, but I trust Dr. Taylor's opportunities. I know she has great connections and they are always very insightful. Immediately, I contacted Dr. Taylor to state interest. Little did I know this would intel a multi-stage interview process and competition. Dr. Taylor was there coaching me every step of the way and for that I really appreciate her and without her it would have been possible but not complete.

What does it mean to now be an award-winning representative of Congressman Lewis' legacy?

It is truly a blessing to be the first Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) winner of this honor. As I stated, this was directed to me as I have not seen it on any website or any local leads me to believe that this is something that I was destined to do. It is only the start of my journey and whom I will inspire. Through this award-winning ceremony, I have been able to learn more about the legacy of late Congressman John Lewis. Which has been an inspiration and motivator for me to know that as a winner,

I am continuation of not just my own, but his legacy as well. To also be affirmed that this is one of my many accomplishments to make history in the state of Illinois is a reminder for the future.

Literacy is crucial in every community, but why specifically in the communities the Freedom Schools serve?

Literacy is crucial in St. Clair and Madison Counties because feedback from Freedom School scholars and educators (specifically at Alton Middle School and Mason-Clark Middle School East Saint Louis) have proven that this program focuses more on the individual students and it enlightens them on topics that are not covered in school or focused on. Our program outcomes and statistics also show the impact of Freedom School. Literacy not only improves knowledge, but we have also found it to improve the behavior of the students.

Tell us about your experience as a Servant Leader (including years of service) and when you felt the work from you and your team was making a difference with the youth in your classes.

I started as a Servant Leader during the launch of SIUE's first Freedom School of Summer 2024 becoming one of seven co-founding servant leaders. Through this experience and extensive training, we built a strong bond as a team before and during our time with our students. I then returned in the summer of 2025 as a Servant Leader coach for Alton Middle School's site a.k.a. Servant Leader Sankofa. In this role, you oversee the whole site and assist other Servant Leaders classrooms with day-to-day lessons and tasks to upkeep the overall management of the classroom environment. When I realized my work was making a difference was after my first year with my all-girls classroom after building their confidence to prepare them for their finale show performance. They performed beautifully and when it was finally time to depart, they expressed to their parents how much I meant to them and how much they were going to miss me. I knew that not only did I make a connection with the girls to be remembered forever, but I also got to see them spread their wings and blossom into butterflies. I was unaware that I had this power until I saw the outcome of the first program. This drove me to return the second year, where I multiplied my impact.

In addition to Freedom School, please share other opportunities that you experienced at SIUE and how these may apply to your future plans.

My other experiences, such as being a member of NAACP, have helped me gain awareness of civic engagement and history. Freedom school gave me the opportunity to act in activism, post being informed. As well as being the Social Media manager and Graphic Design chair for student organization, Black Girls Rock will help contribute to the field of marketing and my second term as Secretary has helped me learn the logistics of administrative tasks. Lastly, community service and mentoring young girls in partnership with my student organization has helped me gain a passion for youth, opping it with serving incoming freshman as a guide and advocate for student retention as a Resident Assistant.

Anything else you wish to share?

This summer I have been offered to work as an intern for the Illinois Secretary of State in which I am considering taking this offer for the summer. I also would like to stay connected to Freedom School and make contributions as I am able. I will continue with resilience to finish the last portion of my degree and start a career in Marketing or Business-related Education. Graduate school is within consideration eventually, but not in the near future.

Carter shared the stage with recipients celebrated for their work in youth philanthropy and teen mental health awareness.

Eligible applicants of this award must be Illinois residents between the ages of 18 and 25
who demonstrate a strong record of service and leadership aligned with former Congressman Lewis' lifelong commitment to justice and civic engagement.

"We are proud of Amari'ah's recognition as a campus and community leader, walking in the legacy of the late Congressman Lewis. Amari'ah's work with SIUE Freedom School connects her to Lewis, who worked as a young organizer during Freedom Summer in 1964 Mississippi Delta. The architects of Freedom School were there in Mississippi working alongside Lewis with a shared goal- the vote- for which literacy was a requisite," said Tandra Taylor, PhD, assistant professor in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Department of History and SIUE's Interim Director of the Institute for Community Justice and Racial Equity (ICJRE) at the Southwestern Illinois Justice and Workforce Development Center on SIUE's Belleville campus. Taylor is the Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® on SIUE's campus.

Congratulations to Amari'ah Carter!

PHOTO: Secretary Giannoulias awards Jocelyn Solis (left) and Amari'ah Carter (right) the 2025 Illinois John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.