Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Andrea Elliott is the keynote speaker for the 22nd annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration on Sept. 18 at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s signature annual fundraising event begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
Elliott is an investigative reporter for The New York Times and the author of “Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City,” which won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction.
She also is the recipient of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, a George Polk award, an Overseas Press Club Award and was awarded a 2007 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing.
In 2023, Elliott joined Princeton University as a visiting lecturer, writer in residence and Ferris Professor of Journalism.
The event features the presentation of the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award, named for a former JALA board member and longtime supporter. It recognizes a person or organization who has promoted the cause of equal justice for low-income residents of Northeast Florida.
The 2024 Beckham Award recipient is the Pajcic & Pajcic law firm, which has raised more than $1 million for JALA since 2012 through its annual Yard Golf & Lawn Party event. Each year, the Pajcics match 100% of donations including registrations, hole-in-one winner prizes and sponsorships.
In addition to their support for JALA, the Pajcic family has contributed a $2 million donation to Edward Waters University and established a $1 million endowment at the University of North Florida, which has funded the tuition of more than 90 local students.
Additionally, Pajcic attorney Tom Slater, a former JALA board president, has led the annual holiday fundraiser for JALA through the Jacksonville Justice Association and Florida Justice Association. Pajcic attorney Ray Reid also has contributed by serving on The Florida Bar Foundation board, supporting civil legal aid across the state.
Visit jaxlegalaid.org/equal-justice-awards-register/ for ticket information. All donations support the work of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.