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The Spencer-Weinstein Prize for Community and Justice, awarded annually and created by close friends of �ʼһ��� Carole and Marcus Weinstein, recognizes this critical work.

The 2019-2020 recipients are recent graduates Bry Reed ’20 and Liam Barr ’20, and James K. Batten Professor of Public Policy and Harvard Nieman Fellow Issac “Ike” Bailey ’95.

Bry Reed

Throughout her time at �ʼһ���, Reed co-led an empowerment program for black girls at West Charlotte High School, where lessons ranged from college readiness to the art of storytelling through music. She believes all spaces should be safe—better yet, brave—spaces, and is devoted to creating these environments for others.

She also interned with CDF Freedom Schools, a six-week literacy and cultural enrichment program for children and youth in grades K-12.

“There’s a real disparity for black girls in urban education and public education, and they need to know what they say has value,” Reed said.

As a guest writer for Wear Your Voice Magazine, Reed wrote about being a generative leader and holding time and space for younger, black women to support each other.

“The goal is to lift as we climb,” she said. “Together we can conquer the unconquerable. The only requirement is to show up as our full selves and understand that this is our space to claim. We eat. We laugh. We love.”

Reed’s impact was felt at �ʼһ���, too. She led the Black Student Coalition and partnered with administrators to effect change on campus. Last fall, she launched a plan to host a book party event to help promote conversation and build excitement about Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson’s sold-out Reynolds Lecture in Belk Arena. Under her leadership, 100 copies of his book, Just Mercy, were made available; other offices followed her lead, providing copies to their staff and others. In addition, she serves on the college’s Commission on Race and Slavery.

This fall, Reed begins a doctoral program in American Studies at Purdue University. At �ʼһ���, she majored in Africana Studies and minored in Gender & Sexuality Studies.

Issac “Ike” Bailey

As an author and teacher, Bailey talks to students about his first-hand experience with crime and incarceration in the United States and the devastating effects they have on those who commit crimes, their loved ones, their victims and society. His classes push students to consider all voices and angles to current events.

“�ʼһ��� has long produced future leaders in all walks of life—politics, finance, education, athletics and beyond,” Bailey said. “It’s a privilege to play a role in the most powerful country in the world. I’m convinced that that privilege comes with great responsibility—to instill in our students an ethical foundation that will guide their future decisions.”

A student had this to say about his professor: “Professor Bailey makes students uncomfortable in the best possible way … he isn’t afraid to put his plans aside to focus on what is going on in the real world—something I think is rare for a professor to do but is so important.”

Bailey said that may be the best compliment he’s ever received.

“Before I ask students to examine others, I ask them to explore what’s going on in their own heads and hearts first,” Bailey said. “The more honest and complete that exploration, the more uncomfortable it will be. But it is extremely useful. It helps the students understand themselves in ways they didn’t before while also making it easier for them to empathize with others who have had dissimilar experiences and upbringings.”

Bailey’s book, My Brother Moochie: Regaining Dignity in the Face of Crime, Poverty, and Racism in the American South, was the 2019 common reading book for incoming students at �ʼһ���. His writing has appeared regularly in national publications and news outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and The Atlantic.

About the Award

The Spencer-Weinstein Prize for Community and Justice, established by Carole and Marcus Weinstein and honoring the late President Emeritus Sam Spencer and his wife, Ava, recognizes students, faculty and staff working to foster dialogue across difference and build bridges for a more just community. The winners share a $10,000 prize. Carole Weinstein is a former member of the �ʼһ��� Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Board of Visitors.

Read More

Ike Bailey ’95: ‘George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and One Journalist’s Painfully Honest Self-Examination on Racism’