OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is proud to announce the two outstanding recipients of the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award from Washington state: Charles Johnson and Iliana Barnes Diaz. These young leaders have demonstrated a deep commitment to civic engagement, social justice, and community empowerment, carrying forward the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis.
“These remarkable individuals are making a real difference in their communities,” said Secretary Hobbs. “Their work ensures that more people—especially those from underrepresented communities—have a voice in our democracy. It is an honor to recognize their contributions and celebrate their leadership.”
Charles Johnson
Charles Johnson,18, is a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion for blind and low vision youth, particularly in the electoral process. He worked with the Office of the Secretary of State to develop accessible materials for Washington state’s Student Mock Election program, leading to the first-ever fully accessible Mock Election at his school, the Washington State School for the Blind. His senior project focuses on researching and addressing barriers to youth voter engagement among blind and low vision students.
Beyond voting advocacy, Charles founded The Green Beings, an environmental club that has implemented sustainability initiatives and received recognition for its efforts. As an EarthGen Youth Fellow, he has also championed inclusion in climate justice discussions.
Diagnosed with Posterior Column Ataxia with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Charles remains dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable participation for all.
Iliana Barnes Diaz
Iliana Barnes Diaz, 21, has been a leader in civic engagement at the University of Puget Sound, spearheading voter registration efforts and increasing student voter participation. Since 2021, she has led Voter Registration and Get Out the Vote efforts and was recently recognized by the Washington Secretary of State for Puget Sound’s voter registration numbers in 2022. She played a pivotal role in leading student voter registration efforts, helping to drive a significant increase in student engagement during the 2022 General Election.
As President of Sin Fronteras, she has worked to foster belonging among Latinx students and helped establish cultural celebrations, including an annual Latinx Festival and a Spanish-language graduation initiative. Passionate about workers’ rights, Iliana has conducted research on union organizing and advocated for equitable workplace environments. She has also co-developed the Campus Engagement Historical Journey, documenting student activism and civic engagement at Puget Sound. Her dedication to advocacy and inclusion has had a lasting impact on campus and beyond.
Formal Recognition
Charles Johnson and Iliana Barnes Diaz will be formally recognized by the Secretary of State’s Office, with details to come.
Recipients from across the country were also celebrated in the annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award video, showcased during the awards luncheon at the 2025 NASS Winter Conference (Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, 2025).
Honoring the Legacy of John Lewis
Established in 2021, the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recognizes the next generation of civic leaders who uphold the principles of justice, inclusion, and democratic participation.
For more information on the award, visit nass.org.
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Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.