By Jackie Torok
The Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF) will honor North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University students and twin brothers, Brandon L. Daye and Bryan L. Daye of Burlington, North Carolina, as it commemorates the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964.
Brandon Daye, who is working toward a B.S. in agribusiness, B.S. in supply chain management and professional certificates in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Business Analytics, and Waste Management, is being recognized as an inaugural member of the foundation’s Alumni Hall of Fame.
Launched in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere program, the first Hall of Fame cohort consists of 10 alumni – one from each year of the program since it began in 2014. They are distinguished not only for their contributions during their time as Andrew Goodman Ambassadors or Puffin Democracy Fellows, but also for their continued dedication to AGF’s mission “to make young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy.”
“Brandon L. Daye is a passionate individual who is dedicated to empowering young voices and votes as a potent force in democracy, both on his college campus and within surrounding communities,” the foundation said. “Since Spring 2020, Brandon Daye has supported AGF as an Andrew Goodman Team Leader by cultivating active civic engagement among peers and constituents at North Carolina A&T State University. He was honored as an honoree for the 2021 All In Campus Democracy Challenge, recognizing his dedication and contributions to fostering civic engagement and voter participation within the university community.
“Beyond electoral participation, Brandon exemplifies a broader vision where young people are pivotal in shaping a sustainable and just future. By advocating for inclusive policies and organizing community service projects to educate and excite voters, Brandon inspires fellow students to embrace their roles as proactive community members. Brandon’s efforts reflect a commitment to nurturing active, engaged citizens who understand and address local and global challenges.”
During his matriculation at the university, Brandon Daye has remained steadfast and involved on campus in numerous capacities as president of the Student Food Advisory Board, development coordinator for Leadership Engagement and Development Staff, chair of the Get Out To Vote and Excitement Workgroup for the University Civic Engagement Coalition, student athletic equipment manager, Aggie Success Leader, senator for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, chair of the Campus Life Committee and senior class president for the Student Government Association (SGA).
Bryan Daye, who is working toward a B.S. in marketing (professional sales), B.S. in supply chain management and professional certificates in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Family Financial Planning, and Waste Management, is receiving the HBCU (historically Black college or university) Service Award at the 2024 Hidden Heroes Award Ceremony.
The award is bestowed upon an Andrew Goodman Ambassador within the foundation’s HBCU Cohort who shows exemplary leadership and involvement in the cohort. The student makes a significant contribution to a major project or operation on campus and special service to the university.
Bryan Daye was selected for the HBCU Service Award for the outstanding work done as an Andrew Goodman Ambassador throughout his tenure at A&T. His leadership was marked by significant achievements in increasing voter registration numbers each year and consistently executing impactful civic engagement events on campus. Under his leadership, A&T received the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge’s 2021 Best Action Plan Award and the Highest Voter Registration Award in the Historically Black College and University category.
“Bryan has an innate ability to motivate individuals and teams. He has an exceptional gift of influence that fosters impact and confidence in representing the university in various leadership capacities on campus as the president and chief of staff for the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagements’ Leadership Engagement and Development Staff, chair of the Voter Registration and Champion Training Workgroup of the NCA&T Civic Engagement Coalition, chair of the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics Student Senate, chair of the political action and finance committees for the SGA” among other organizations, the foundation said.
The Dayes have been highly sought leaders for deploying innovative practices with campus programming within the A&T’s Civic Engagement Coalition (CEC). In support of the university’s vision, mission, values and Preeminence 2030: North Carolina A&T Blueprint, the coalition is meant to unite students, faculty, staff, alumni and community organizations with a shared interest in student civic engagement. The CEC is organized by the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement, Office of the Chancellor and SGA to continue to develop strong community partnerships, strengthen cross-campus collaborations and magnify programmatic impact.
The brothers’ strategic involvement has been instrumental in elevating A&T’s SEAL (Student Engagement and Activism Level) standing from Bronze to Gold, as well as the creation and successful execution of the “Aggies Activate the Vote” campaign, developed in collaboration with the Division of University Advancement and Office of Alumni Relations. In addition, they have supported efforts to achieve an impressive 92% voter registration rate for the 2020 elections and saw a 36% increase in student voter turnout compared with the 2018 election.
AGF’s mission is to make young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy by training the next generation of leaders, engaging young voters, and challenging restrictive voter suppression laws. The organization is named for Andrew Goodman, a Freedom Summer volunteer and champion of equality and voting rights who was murdered, alongside James Earl Chaney and Michael Schwerner, by the KKK in 1964 while registering Black Americans to vote in Mississippi.
AGF will recognize the Alumni Hall of Fame inductees on Wednesday, July 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. ET as part of its ninth National Civic Leadership Training Summit. The 2024 Hidden Heroes Award Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. ET on Zoom during the summit.
The theme of the virtual summit, ’64-’24: The 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer, reflects a milestone in the history of civil rights and voting advocacy and is inspired by the legacy of Andrew Goodman and the young activists of Freedom Summer 1964. Andrew Goodman Ambassadors and young people from partner organizations will gather during the summit to hear inspiring panels and participate in training sessions, just as young organizers did ahead of Freedom Summer 1964.