The 2007 James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial Understanding and Harmony has been awarded to Ordinary People, a Cornell student theater group, for its work in challenging bias, including racism, sexism, homophobia and anti-Semitism. The group received the award at a ceremony April 18 in Willard Straight Hall.

The Perkins Prize is awarded annually to recognize the significant contribution by a Cornell student, faculty or staff member, or program to furthering the ideals of community and racial diversity. A monetary award accompanies the prize to help recipients fund continuing projects and programming.

Members of Ordinary People, which was founded in Campus Life Residential Programs in 1997, write and perform their own skits based on personal experiences with the goal of promoting open dialogue about oppression and celebrating differences among individuals and communities at Cornell, frequently using humor, satire, sarcasm and music. In August 2006, Ordinary People provided the content for Tapestry of Possibilities: Diversity at Cornell, the required diversity program for incoming students.

The Perkins Prize was established in 1994 through a President's Endowment Fund from Thomas W. Jones '69.