A man of inspiration and great faith, Reverend Sullivan passed away on April 24, 2001. Throughout his lifetime, Reverend Sullivan received a number of prestigious awards, honors and distinctions. He was the first African-American to serve as a board member of a major U.S. corporation (General Motors), and developed the Sullivan Principles for businesses operating in South Africa during the apartheid regime, principles based on equal opportunity and rights.  These principles were expanded upon and are now known as the Global Sullivan Principles of Social Responsibility and have been endorsed by the United Nations.  More than 300 organizations have committed to adhere to the principles, which outline standards in the areas of human rights, social and economic justice, and labor and business practices.

Some of the many awards and recognitions he has received include:

• Named one of 100 Outstanding Young Adults in the US by LIFE Magazine, 1963
• The Spingarn Award by the NAACP, 1971
• The Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service by PNC, 1986
• The Four Freedoms Award by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, 1987
• The Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President George H. W. Bush. 1992
• The Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award by Africare, 1995
• The Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award by former President Bill Clinton, 1999
• More than 50 honorary doctoral degrees