2024 categories for nominations
Student Leadership Award - A student who has shown promise this year as a leader in immigration or demonstrated commitment to serving or working with immigrants or refugees, locally or abroad.
Business Leadership Award - A local business (immigrant-owned or not) that contributes to the local immigrant community through advocacy, hiring, donations, or in-kind services, all of which contribute to the economic development of Champaign County.
Immigrant Leader Award - An immigrant individual who has been a strong leader of the immigrant community for their particular immigrant community or for the larger immigrant community.
Emergent Leader Award - An individual who has in the last few years been a regular contributor to advancing the cause of immigrants through service or advocacy, in the local community, in their work sphere, or in their interactions with the state of Illinois. Someone other than a first generation immigrant, his/her/their contributions may be as a volunteer or as part of their job. This person is a promising new leader who has emerged quite recently, rather than one who has contributed over the years.
Community Impact Award - A community-based organization, non-profit, public sector institution, or local government which demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for local immigrants in our community. The nominee may also be considered for adopting specific policies or initiatives in response to the growing immigrant population.
The Claire Szoke Distinguished Service Award - An individual in Champaign County who has strongly contributed to the well-being of immigrants over the years. Like Claire's consistent drive towards justice, this individual has continued to stand up for immigrants in belief and action. Claire's work spanned her involvement with El Centro de Los Trabajadores, being a local leader in the Sanctuary Movement, and helping found the CU Immigration Forum. Unlike the other awards, nominees from previous years may be considered, since this award considers long-standing contributions.
- 5 Awards
Student Leadership Award - Allison Perez Briseno,
Business Leadership Award - Rick's Bakery,
Leadership Award - Guy Lombela,
Distinguished Service Award - Father Tom Royer,
Community Organization Award - East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center)
- 6 Awards
Student Leadership Award - Alberto Lara Valdivieso,
Business Leadership Award - Sister Sister African Braiding,
Leadership Award - Lucia Maldonado,
Distinguished Service Award - Bob Kirby,
Community Organization Award - New Americans English as a Second Language, Institutional Award - Unit 4's International Prep Academy for Newcomers)
- 6 Awards
Student Leadership Award - Cristina Lucio,
Distinguished Service Award - Namsoo Hyong,
Leadership Award - Ahh Ha Ho,
Business Leadership Award - World Harvest International Food,
Community Organization Award - Avicenna Community Health Center, and Institutional Award - Urbana School District 116's Bilingual and Multicultural Program
- 5 Awards
Humanitarian Relief Award - Sam Smith,
Human Rights Award - Karyl Wackerlin,
Distinguished Leadership Service Award - Charles Larenas,
Student Leadership Award - Nancy M. Ramirez Blancas,
Community Impact Award - Education Justice Project)
- 5 Awards, 7 Winners
Leadership Award - Luis Cuza and Luzolo Jean Cesar Ntedika
Distinguished Leadership Service Award - Roaa Al-Heeti and Mike Doyle
Student Leadership Award - Carmen Hernandez
Community Impact Award – Carle Community Care and Neighborhood Health programs; Accepting:
Julianna S. Sellett, Vice President - Community Health Initiatives
Business Leadership Award -- Diva Nails. Annie and Kevin Nguyen, owners
- 5 Awards, 6 Winners
Leadership Awards – Guadalupe Abreu
Distinguished Leadership Service Awards – Claire Szoke
Student Leadership Award – Susan Ogwal
Community Impact Award – Bend the Arc: Champaign-Urbana, Dr. Anne Abbott
Business Leadership Award – Ruth Wyman Law Office
2020 - 5 Awards, 5 Winners
Business Leadership Award – Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Community Impact Award – Chinese American Association of Central Illinois (CAACI)
Distinguished Leadership Service Awards – Nils Jacobsen
Leadership Awards – Ibrahim Bourema Ouedraogo
Student Leadership Award – Jacopo DeMarinis
2021 - 6 Awards, 6 Winners
Business Leadership Award – Maize Mexican Grill
Community Impact Award – Unitarian Universalist Immigrant Justice Task Force
Distinguished Service to Immigrants Award– Greg Springer
Immigrant Leadership Award – Korinta Maldonado
Student Leadership Award – Daniella DiStefano
The Claire Szoke Lifetime of Service Award – John Muirhead
2022 - 5 Awards, 6 Winners
Business Leadership Award – Flex-N-Gate
Community Impact Award – Champaign County Board and the New American Welcome Center –
Immigrant Leadership Award – Mateo Sebastián
Student Leadership Award –Ishita Dharap
The Claire Szoke Distinguished Service Award – Gloria Yen
2023- 6 Awards, 6 Winners
Business Leadership Award – Shawarma Joint
Community Impact Award – The Refugee Center
Immigrant Leadership Award – Efrain Gaspar
Student Leadership Award – Flor Quiroz
The Claire Szoke Distinguished Service Award – Pat Nolan
