Application Form: NYC Community Activist Award (DEADLINE: October 16, 2026)

/ / / / / ABOUT THE AWARD / / / / /

In 2023, the Urban Affairs Association established the Community Activist Award to recognize and express gratitude for the work of locally-engaged advocates who fight against social, economic and political barriers to both protect urban communities, and open access to opportunities and resources for local residents. 

These activists face considerable obstacles and pressure from resistant forces and institutions. They are sometimes unrecognized in any public manner. Within their communities, however, they are both role models and service leaders. This award seeks to give recognition to their contributions & offers a $1,000 honorarium.

Prior recipients have included:

• Bweza Itaagi, Sistas in the Village and Grow Greater Englewood (Chicago)
• Angela Marie MacDougall, Battered Women's Support Services (Vancouver)
• Mychal Johnson, South Bronx Unite (New York)
• Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin J. Pearson (Nashville)

For the 2027 award, applicants should be individuals who live or work in the New York City Metropolitan Area and work on behalf of and in partnership with urban communities within the area, particularly around issues of social, political, environmental and economic equity.

/ / / / / AWARD BENEFITS / / / / /

• An international announcement of the award
• A special award plaque
• An honorarium of $1,000 USD
• The opportunity to participate in a special session on urban activism at the conference in conjunction with the winners of both the Marilyn J. Gittell Community-Engaged Scholar Award and the Janet Smith Emerging Activist Scholar Research Award.