Todd Bernstein
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Todd Bernstein is an American civic engagement advocate and the founder of the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, an initiative promoting volunteerism and community service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.[1]
Education
[edit]Bernstein holds a B.A. in Politics and American History from Ithaca College and studied for an M.G.A. at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government.[2]
Career
[edit]In 1994, Bernstein collaborated with Harris Wofford and Congressman John Lewis to launch the King Day of Service, an initiative to encourage volunteer participation in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The initiative was later incorporated into Global Citizen, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 to promote civic engagement on local and global levels.[2]
In 1996, Bernstein started the King's Day of Service in Philadelphia. Over the past 20 years, the Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service has involved approximately 1.2 million volunteers and is reportedly the largest King Holiday event in the nation each year.[needs update] In 2012, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden participated.[3]
Bernstein also founded MLK365, which aims to extend the King Day of Service into a year-round civic engagement initiative. This program promotes ongoing volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and community partnerships in the Greater Philadelphia region.[4]
In 2012, Bernstein was honored as a ‘Champion of Change’ by the Obama administration for his contributions to civic engagement.[4][5] He has also received recognitions such as the Points of Light Foundation’s National Award (2000) and the Jewish Social Policy Action Network Social Justice Award (2009).[6] In 1999, the Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service was recognized as a national Point of Light by the Points of Light Foundation.
In 1997, Bernstein served as national planner for the Presidents' Summit for America's Future. The five-day summit convened presidents and community leaders to address civic engagement and opportunities for young citizens, leading to the creation of America's Promise: the Alliance for Youth.[7]
In 2000, Bernstein served as director of the National Shadow Convention (a bipartisan event held concurrently with the Republican and Democrat national conventions).[8] From 2006–2008, he served as director of the King Day of Service National Expansion Initiative.
In 2013, he was honored by the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., with the inaugural Public Service Award.[9][10] In 2012, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists recognized him with the organization's Community Service Award.[11] In 2009, Bernstein was awarded the Jewish Social Policy Action Network Social Justice Award[12] and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Legacy Award.[8] In 2003, Philadelphia Inquirer presented Bernstein with its Citizen Hero Award.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Todd bernstein". The White House. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ^ a b "History". Mlkdayofservice.org. 1983-11-02. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "A day of service to honor a life of service - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. 2012-01-17. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- ^ a b "Todd Bernstein". White House. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Local King Day organizer wins over the skeptics - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. 2012-01-16. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- ^ "Creating a central organizing system for a city-wide day of service event | Resource Center". Nationalserviceresources.org. 2006-01-16. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Americas Promise Alliance – Our History". Americaspromise.org. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ a b "LEAD – A Get HandsOn Summit: Speakers". HandsOn Network. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Snaps of Service Winners | Bipartisan Policy Center". bipartisanpolicy.org. Archived from the original on 2013-07-19.
- ^ "MLK Day founder honored with award » Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA". chestnuthilllocal.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22.
- ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ "2009 JAPAN Social Justice Award to Todd Bernstein | Jewish Social Policy Action Network". Japan.org. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "How to honor King Todd Bernstein doesn't want this holiday to ever become just another day off". Philly.com. 2003-01-20. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2012-08-05.