top of page
an image of a black woman winning an award at a community celebration, standing at the mic
Pride in Equity Awards

The Pride in Equity Awards honour individuals, organizations, and initiatives advancing equity, justice, and inclusion across the nonprofit sector. These awards uplift work rooted in lived experience, community accountability, and meaningful change, especially efforts that too often go unrecognized.

 

Nominations are now open.
Self-nominations are welcome.

Why the Pride in Equity Awards Matter

Equity work is often underfunded, undervalued, and invisible.
 

The Pride in Equity Awards exist to change that.

 

We celebrate:

  • Community-led and grassroots leadership

  • Bold advocacy and systems change

  • Inclusive governance and decision-making

  • Programs that build belonging and remove barriers

AWARD CATEGORIES

Nominees may be individuals, organizations, coalitions, or initiatives.

​

  • Equity in Action Award: Honours a member who has turned DEI values into measurable, real-world impact.

  • Inclusive Leadership Award: Recognizes a leader who champions inclusion through vision, influence, and decision-making.

  • Community Impact & Belonging Award: Celebrates outstanding efforts to foster belonging and strengthen diverse communities.

  • Advancement of Access Award: Acknowledges work that removes systemic barriers and expands access and opportunity.

  • Innovative DEI Programming Award: Honours creative and effective programs that advance equity and inclusion.

  • Advocacy & Voice Award: Recognizes courageous advocacy that elevates underrepresented voices.

  • Cultural Celebration & Representation Award: Celebrates meaningful representation and the amplification of diverse cultures and identities.

  • Emerging Changemaker Award: Honours an emerging leader making early yet powerful contributions to DEI.

  • Partnership for Progress Award: Recognizes collaborative efforts that advance shared DEI goals.

  • Lifetime Commitment to Equity Award: Honours sustained, long-term dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Who Can Nominate

Anyone can submit a nomination, including:

  • Nonprofit staff and volunteers

  • Community members and partners

  • Board members and funders
     

✔️ Self-nominations are encouraged

✔️ Grassroots and under-resourced initiatives are welcome
✔️ Lived experience is valued as expertise

How the Selection Process Works

All nominations are reviewed using a bias-aware, equity-centred process.

  • A diverse, independent review committee

  • Standardized scoring criteria

  • Context-based evaluation (size, resources, barriers considered)

  • Lived experience and community accountability prioritized

 

Not all impact looks the same, and we honour that.

Key Dates

  • Nominations Open: January 5, 2026

  • Nominations Close: March 31, 2026

  • Award Ceremony: June 2026

Accessibility & Support

We are committed to making this process accessible.

  • Plain-language nomination form

  • Support available upon request

  • Alternative formats accepted

  • ASL, captioning, and accessibility accommodations at the ceremony

    If you need support submitting a nomination, please contact: events@hedroundtable.com

Ready to Nominate?

Help us uplift the people and organizations moving equity forward.

bottom of page