Established by the Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) in 2015, the Edward R. Roybal Award honors the enduring legacy of Congressman Edward R. Roybal – a pioneering public servant whose lifelong commitment to civil rights, social justice, and advocacy opened doors for countless communities, including Native and Indigenous peoples. The award is proudly presented with the support and endorsement of the Edward R. Roybal family.

RNCI Founder Joanelle Romero shares a direct family connection to Congressman Roybal. Her great-grandmother, Eufemia Roybal, was the sister of Edward R. Roybal’s father, making Joanelle and Congressman Roybal first cousins once removed. This family legacy of public service and community leadership has profoundly influenced RNCI’s mission and Joanelle’s lifelong commitment to advancing Native and Indigenous representation through film, television, and the arts.

Edward R. Roybal made history in 1949 when he became the first Native-Latino elected to the Los Angeles City Council in the modern era. After serving thirteen years on the Council, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served for three decades. Throughout his distinguished career, Congressman Roybal often acknowledged his Native heritage while championing civil rights, healthcare, education, immigrant rights, and economic opportunity for underserved communities.

His career was closely intertwined with legendary community organizer Fred Ross Sr., founder of the Community Service Organization (CSO). Working together, Ross and Roybal built one of California’s most influential grassroots civic organizations. The CSO would later mentor and train César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, whose leadership helped establish the United Farm Workers, transforming the American labor movement.