Stephen Bradberry (USA - 2005)

At a time when our nation is faced with hard questions about the role of government and the realities of poverty, Stephen Bradberry has become a voice for the poor of New Orleans. Stephen currently serves as the Lead Organizer of the New Orleans chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), the nation's largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families working together for social justice and stronger communities. His social change objective is to have full participation of the poor in government decisions impacting their lives and their communities.

His work has centered on organizing public interest campaigns to actively involve low-income families in addressing the social problems they face everyday. He has led campaigns promoting a living wage, preventing predatory lending and lead poisoning in children, and increasing voter participation.

In 2002 Stephen became the driving force behind one of our nations only successful livable wage campaigns. Stephen was able to unite the diverse interests of labor, religious leaders, and community organizations for the cause of economic justice. This resulted in sixty-three percent of New Orleans' voters backing a wage hike that affected 75,000 workers. The campaign produced a city ordinance in New Orleans increasing the minimum wage only to later be overturned by the Louisiana state legislature.

For more information, please contact Monika Kalra Varma (202) 463-7575 x228, monika@rfkmemorial.org

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