FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Roots Charter School student wins Kirby Edmonds Award
On MLK Day 2026, New Roots Charter School senior, Ayden Githinji, received the honor of being chosen as this year’s (age 14-18) Kirby Edmunds ACTION Award for Social Justice recipient.
In the New Roots nominating staff member’s words: “Ayden Githinji is a young leader whose life is rooted in the daily practice of social justice—expanding who feels seen, heard, and powerful in schools and across Tompkins County. As a student of color and non-binary young person, Ayden uses their voice not only to advocate for themselves, but to open doors for others who are too often marginalized or overlooked.
At New Roots Charter School, Ayden’s leadership in the Students of Color Unity Elective has helped shift school culture. They facilitate courageous conversations about race and identity, organize community dinners centering voices of color, and create spaces where students can speak honestly about their experiences.”
Ayden was nominated by New Roots for a number of reasons, including their participation in statewide education policy discussions and in their community as a Youth Council Ambassador, offering actionable advice for local policymakers. In addition, they are the founder of Solar Smithed, a sustainability-minded jewelry business that combines their creativity and entrepreneurialism.
ACTION (Activists Committed To Interrupting Oppression Now) began in 2006, when a Black mother in Ithaca sued the Ithaca City School District for failing to respond to the racial bullying of her daughter. In the ensuing two decades, the organization has challenged the district and wider community to confront racism and cultivate an atmosphere of tolerance where every young person can thrive. Member Kirby Edmonds devoted himself to resolving inter-group conflicts, promoting human rights, and dismantling discrimination. The Kirby Edmonds Award specifically recognizes the contributions of marginalized people living in Tompkins County whose work exemplifies the spirit of Kirby’s mission to change the world, and who are not typically recognized by the mainstream.
“Taken together, Ayden’s organizing, creativity, and civic leadership reflect a deep belief in democracy as something we actively build—together, and with intention,” Action Ithaca concludes. Their full statement on Ayden can be read at https://www.actionithaca.org/past-recipients.html
Learn more about how New Roots empowers students through real-world learning in our community classroom at newrootsschool.org
# # #
New Roots Charter School is a tuition-free, public, charter school serving grades 6-12 that is open to any young person who is eligible to attend high school in New York State. Offering real-world learning in a community setting. For more information, contact Katie Church, Community Engagement and Enrollment Coordinator at New Roots Charter School, at kchurch@newrootsschool.org