Lisa Gardner
Pay-It-Forward Awardee
When individuals in apparent KKK costumes were captured on security footage in January 2025, Lisa Gardner, president of the Spokane Chapter of the NAACP, responded swiftly by alerting authorities, requesting increased security for upcoming MLK Day events, and framing the incident as a reminder of ongoing work needed in the community – reinforcing community resilience and safety while honoring a long legacy of local civil rights leadership.
Spokane, Washington
May 20, 2025
Pay-It-Forward
Award
Awarded to:
The Black Lens
Individual award recipients are not eligible for a grant, but can “pay it forward” by recommending a values-aligned organization to receive a grant. When an individual receives a “Pay It Forward” award, they are invited to recommend a grant to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in their community that is aligned with the values of the project. “Pay It Forward” recipients are typically awarded to one or several individuals for personal acts of courage
