Today, our very own Jim Gilliam is going to receive the Maria Leavey Award at the Take Back America 2008 conference in D.C.  Video of the award ceremony can be seen live here.

We're all extremely proud of you, Jim!  I've only been working for BNF about a month, but I've already enjoyed your tutelage, wisdom, and humor.  Many Brave New Staffers also wanted to say a few words:

Jim's passion and intelligence are reflected daily in his work.  His trail-breaking and thinking-outside-the-box perspective are critical to BNF.

— Robert Greenwald 

Jim is the most clever, unique and forward-thinking person I've ever known. He has somehow fought off death repeatedly while simultaneously remaining 10 steps ahead of everyone else. I often find myself asking him to repeat some new idea of his because it doesn't fit any existing framework.. almost always to be immensely impressed once the idea sinks in. He works harder than is healthy with the seemingly unflinching belief that he must use his incredible talents to help change the world for the forces of good. I can't think of a more deserving person for this award - congratulations Jim!

— Jesse Haff 

Jim is inspirational to me because he has shown that there is a way to use technology for positive, progressive causes and do so sustainably. I look up to him and his accomplishments as actions to emulate in my own life, career, and service.

— Garlin Gilchrist II

Jim is like the icing that keeps the cake that is BNF together.  Everyone knows that icing is the most delicious part of the cake.

— Erikka Yancy 

It’s been a real pleasure getting to know Jim since I started in May and hearing about his journey from being a conservative to a progressive activist to almost dying to being successfully and persistently alive. Almost nothing at BNF happens without jim, and he’s involved in every stage whether it’s brainstorming new video ideas, coming up with the campaign and ask, creating websites and petitions, and sending out email blasts. If jim g were to leave, it would take at least three people to replace him. 

— Jon Kim

I haven't had a chance to work with him as long, but I will say that he's the sort of person who's professional approval means a lot because he's done such amazing work. Knowing that he's becoming one of the most influential progressive figures of this generation is also pretty cool too.  In short, he's just one of those people you sort of look up to (both literally and figuratively speaking).

— Nichole Wicks

Jim is a rockin’ one man army most of the time.  He put together Brave New Theaters almost single handedly – structuring a complicated social networking/film screening site from scratch. 

He also is an incredibly hard worker – pushing through when he needed two lungs and was carrying oxygen around all the time.  Posting videos, answering emails, and fixing bugs late at night and way early in the morning.

He’s kept Brave New Films cutting edge and helped structure so much of what we do – from online organizing of house parties to online fundraising for Iraq For Sale to making the BNF site a hub of political videos for progressives.

Yay, Jim!

— Paris Marron 

Jim is the smartest & sweetest guy I know. Not only can he write code on a cardboard coaster BUT he also has the absolute BEST taste in music! The internets and the outerworlds would crash without him.

— Lissette Roldan