Law professor Danardo Jones is not just a lawyer and academic, says Gabrielle Gibbs; he is a fierce and dedicated advocate for social justice and human rights. A second-year law student, Gibbs successfully nominated Jones for the Human Rights and Social Justice Award from the Office of Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility.

In a letter of support, Gibbs wrote that Jones embodies the true spirit the award was created to recognize: “He uses this passion and voice to share his knowledge and lived experience with others through his lectures, research, speaking engagements, and one-on-one interactions with students, in hopes of creating a community that can bring real change for all marginalized groups.”

For his part, Jones said he considers himself blessed to be part of an institution that takes seriously people’s right to be treated with dignity.

“My work aims to put those uncomfortable issues squarely in the public discourse in hopes that we will discuss it and that discussion may lead to transformation,” he said. “At the very least, the voices of those at the margin, the voices of those at the bottom, will be heard.”

Watch a video on his award:

This is the third in a five-part series recognizing recipients of the 2022 OHREA awards.