For many, 2020 was a year that forced a lot of societal observations, self reflection and conversation. But it's the words and actions that emerge from that reflection that matter most — and several Austin leaders stepped up in powerful ways to help promote diversity and inclusion throughout the community.
Each year, Austin nonprofit startup accelerator DivInc and its partners celebrate Austin leaders who helped advance conversations and actions throughout the community to make the city a more inclusive place.
In past years, local leaders including SXSW's Hugh Forrest, T3 founder and author Gay Gaddis and Austin Independent School District Equity Officer Stephanie Hawley have been among nominees for the award.
This year, there's a whole new lineup of nominees. They include nonprofit leaders, investors, volunteers and executives. The winners will be announced at the annual Champions of Change event, which will be online via Airmeet on March 4 at 5:30 p.m.
DivInc this year is also asking the Austin community to vote for any person they feel should be recognized as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion in Austin. Voting will open Jan. 12.
Here are this year's nominees.
2020 Champions of Change nominees
Executive of the Year
- Derrick Chubbs, CEO of Central Texas Food Bank
- Ryan Coaxum, VP at Guaranty Bank & Trust
- Kirsten Karchmer, CEO of Brazen
- Emlyn Lee, founder at BRAVE Communities
- Chas Moore, executive director of Austin Justice Coalition
DEI Leader of the Year
- Madison Butler, VP of people and culture at Sourced Craft Cocktails
- Crystle Johnson, senior equity, inclusion and diversity business partner at Electronic Arts
- Christine McCarey, CEO at Impact DEI
- Farah Muscadin, director of Office of Police Oversight, City of Austin
- TK Tunchez, founder of Las Ofendas and Frida Friday ATX
Student of the Year
- Valeria Colunga, University of Texas
- Mical J. Devine, Texas civic ambassador at Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Engagement & Texas Rising at Texas State University
- Katherine Horton, high school student
- Rodolfo Martinez, Product Prodigy Institute
- Brianna McBride, co-director of the Black President's Leadership Council at the University of Texas
Champion of the Year
- Emmanuel Acho, NFL commentator and author, "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man"
- Ruben Cantu, executive director of inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Texas
- Chaka and Qi Dada, founder of DAWA and Riders Against the Storm
- Chas Moore, founder of Austin Justice Coalition
- Amanda Zamora and Emily Ramshaw, co-founders of The 19th
Investor of the Year
- Jessica Gaffney, CEO of Beam Angel Network
- Harold Hughes, CEO of Bandwagon
- Ethan Monreal-Jackson, principal at Notley
- Lolita Taub, investor at The Community Fund
- Michael Ward Jr., CEO of Austin Urban Technology Movement
Rising Star of the Year
- Rakhi Agrawal, chief empowerment officer at Measure
- Kyle Ali, team lead at Google's Computer Science Summer Institute
- Courtney Bailey, director of issues and engagement at Leadership Austin
- Savannah Barker, senior director of program operations at Notley
- Madison Butler, VP of people and culture at Sourced Craft Cocktails
Nonprofit Leader
- Courtney Robinson, founder at Break the Pipeline
- Meme Styles, founder at Measure
- Steve Wanta, CEO of JUST
- Michael Ward Jr., CEO of Austin Urban Technology Movement
- Nakeenya Wilson, executive director of Black Mamas ATX
