Columbus Author Wins Prestigious Award

A Columbus author is one of five people honored Wednesday with 250 thousand dollar prizes from the Heinz Family Foundation. Michelle Alexander is a civil rights attorney and former Ohio State University professor who wrote the groundbreaking book entitled "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness." The foundation says she is at the vanguard who is helping to transform the criminal judicial system. Other include Musician Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, known for his work to preserve the musical heritage of New Orleans. Andrews started a foundation to provide New Orleans schools will musical instruments and a self-named music academy, where he created a music performance curriculum. He has also worked with Tulane University to provide musical training to talented high school musicians. The awards recognize innovative work in several categories, including the arts, environment, human condition, public policy and economics.The foundation was started by Teresa Heinz-Kerry to honor her late husband, U.S. Senator John Heinz. Heinz-Kerry is currently married to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.