SDARJ Executive Director Joseph Lawson to Receive the Delaware Center for Justice’s “Exemplar of Justice” Award

The Vrooman Award recognizes individuals whose sustained leadership and long-term commitment have advanced justice in Delaware. In extending the honor, DCJ pointed to Joe’s leadership through SDARJ — particularly his work in Sussex County and his tireless efforts to bring people together across communities. For an organization that has advanced justice and strengthened communities across our state for more than a century, this recognition carries real weight. It is a tremendous honor — not only for Joe, but for all of SDARJ and for Sussex County.

Those who know Joe know how fitting it is. A Sussex County resident, he brings decades of corporate and nonprofit leadership to his work. A graduate of Yale University with a degree in African American Studies from Yale Univiersity and an MBA in Marketing from Columbia University, he built a distinguished career at Verizon, Comcast, ESPN, and Black Entertainment Television, where he championed mentorship and expanded diversity in media and corporate leadership. His service through Big Brothers Big Sisters earned him “Big Brother of the Year” in 2018, and as former board president of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), he launched national mentoring initiatives and helped the organization grow.

Since joining SDARJ — first as a board member from 2020 to 2025, and now as Executive Director — Joe has focused on expanding our educational programs, deepening outreach in underserved western Sussex County communities, and advancing advocacy across the region. He has been a steady champion of programs such as Dialogue Toward Ending Racism, the Black Voices newsmagazine, and SDARJ’s growing digital presence.