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Sarasota Magazine

Unity Awards

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Every year, Sarasota Magazine celebrates champions of diversity in an editorial contest judged by an independent panel of previous Unity Awards winners. This year’s Unity Awards are proudly presented by Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

2021 Unity Award Winners

Unity Awards

A Black-Owned Businesses Facebook Group Opened the Doors to a Vibrant, Hidden Market

Unity Awards

Sarah Hernandez’s Work for Social Justice and Racial Equality Is Rooted in Her Own Heritage

Unity Awards

Philip Tavill Is Dedicated to Helping Infants, Toddlers and Their Families Through Children First

Unity Awards

From Food Inequality to Education to Emergency Funds, Joe and Mary Kay Henson Always Step Up

Unity Awards

E. Scott Osborne Battles for Gender Equality in Sarasota and Across the Globe

Unity Awards

Dr. Randall Morgan Has Spent His Life Fighting for Health Care Equity

Unity Awards

New College Professor Queen Zabriskie Creates Powerful Conversations About Race

Unity Awards

Trevor Harvey Has Spent Decades Fighting for Newtown

Content From Our Unity Award Sponsors

Sponsored Content

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Sponsored Content

FCCI Insurance Group

Sponsored Content

Florida Power & Light Company

Sponsored Content

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

Sponsored Content

New College of Florida

Sponsored Content

Florida Blue – We Get You!

Sponsored Content

Community Healing Spaces: Supporting the Community during COVID-19

Sponsored Content

University of South Florida’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Equity

Where Are They Now? An Update From Past Unity Award Winners

Unity Awards Alums

Dr. April Glasco Pivots Her Second Chance Last Opportunity for the Pandemic

Unity Awards Alums

Dan Boxser Is Spearheading a Program to Bring a Lynching Marker to Sarasota-Manatee

Unity Awards Alums

John Annis Says We Must Continue to Try to Find Common Ground

Unity Awards Alums

Father Celestino Gutiérrez Believes in the Golden Rule

Unity Awards Alums

Asolo Rep’s Michael Donald Edwards Strives for Inclusivity and Diversity

Unity Awards Alums

Robert Gussin on Building Bridges: ‘Tolerance Is Golden’

Unity Awards Alums

Brad Jones and The Haven Continue to Serve Children and Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Unity Awards

Deb Kabinoff Strengthens Community Through Technology

“My mission is to help every sector of our community benefit from the capabilities of technology.”

09/01/2026 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

David Crawford Turns Real Estate Sales Into a Force For Good

“At some point, there are going to be challenges, and you’re going to need somebody to be there to support you.”

09/01/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Unity Awards

Geri Chaffee Opens a World of Learning Through Her Dual Language Academy

“What people don’t understand is that literacy is literacy in any language."

09/01/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Unity Awards

Dr. Essence Deming-Rivers Builds Belonging Through a Unique Social Club

“Equipping people with skills helps manage their emotions, makes them deliver better care, and also means that there are fewer people that might need therapy.”

09/01/2026 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

Karen Chester-Amengor Creates Unity Through Song

“Music is a universal language."

09/01/2026 By Susan Burns

Unity Awards

Missy Parmenter Helps Foster Youth Find Their Footing

"People don't realize how much support one young person needs."

09/01/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Unity Awards

Bill Woodson Builds Bridges Through Conversations Across the Aisle

"I think listening and talking can help save the United States."

09/01/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Unity Awards

Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton Uses the Arts to Inspire Learning

“Arts integration is not a luxury."

09/01/2026 By Jules Telfort

Unity Awards

Meet the Winners of Our 2026 Unity Awards

Eight people whose work reminds us of the power of connection.

09/01/2026

Unity Awards

Nominate Someone Amazing for the 2026 Unity Awards!

With its 16th annual Unity Awards, Sarasota Magazine once again seeks to recognize individuals who build community.

04/07/2026

Popular Content

    Meet the Winners of Our 2026 Unity Awards

    Deb Kabinoff Strengthens Community Through Technology

    Missy Parmenter Helps Foster Youth Find Their Footing

    Karen Chester-Amengor Creates Unity Through Song

    Geri Chaffee Opens a World of Learning Through Her Dual Language Academy

    David Crawford Turns Real Estate Sales Into a Force For Good

Unity Awards

Lee DeLieto Sr. Helps Young People Thrive

“We’re teaching woodworking, plumbing, electrical. That’s crucial, because many of those families need as much income as they can bring home.”

03/03/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

David Shuel Helps People Find Work and Support After Being Incarcerated

“These guys come here and they’re wounded. They’re hurt. They have fear. They’re uncomfortable.”

03/03/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Kathleen Sullivan Gives a Helping Hand to Children and Families in Need

“When anybody asks me about Head Start, I tell them it changed my life.”

03/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Unity Awards

Evan Samson Is Bringing Attention to the Region’s Growing Filipino Community

“To create a successful project, you have to recognize everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and bring those ideas together. Collaboration is key.”

03/03/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Unity Awards

Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota Creates Joy and Connection Through Song

“When people come to our concerts, we hope it bridges gaps and starts conversations.”

03/03/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Unity Awards

Dr. Lisa Butler Grain Is Creating a New Generation of Leaders

“Our efforts are rooted in our belief that education is a transformative tool that can change lives.”

03/03/2025 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

Alison Thomas Is Changing the Lives of People With Developmental Disabilities

“We wanted parents to go to work knowing their children were getting a quality education and could go out and have an independent life after graduation."

03/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Unity Awards

Sarah Parker Uses Her Voice to Lift up Others

“We replace fear with action. If you want to change something, you consistently work to change that thing.”

03/03/2025 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

Nominations Are Open for Sarasota Magazine’s Unity Awards

We’re looking for members of the community who are committed to bridging divides across racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and physical and mental ability groups.

08/01/2022

Unity Awards

Where Are They Now? Updates From Past Unity Award Winners

Our Unity Award Winners continue to make a difference.

03/02/2021

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September-October 2026

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