Williams arrived back in Boston on Sept. 14 where several of his friends showed up to cheer his return at Logan Airport. The AASG held a press conference at the homecoming.

On Tuesday, he attended a ceremony at the Old South Meeting House where Dr. Charles Jacobs, the founder and president of the AASG, was awarded the Boston Freedom Award.

Coretta Scott King introduced Jacobs, who asked Williams to stand.

"There's an American hero here tonight--his name is Jay Williams," Jacobs told the audience. "Jay Williams has the dream."

After the ceremony, Sage praised Williams's work, calling his commitment extraordinary.

"Here's a kid who missed orientation to risk his life and save people," Sage said. "He didn't have to do this. He's a 19-year-old who's done more to free slaves than any political leader."

Frances Bok, a former Sudanese slave who spoke at the ceremony, said that he deeply appreciated Williams's work.

"So many people don't believe that slavery still exists in Sudan," Bok said. "But when we have a witness like him, people will listen."