Unity Awards

Doricha Sales Teaches the Art of Ballet to Break Down Barriers

"I think my profession can help more people see that dance is accessible to them.”

01/09/2023 By Dariela Delgado

Unity Awards

Arlene Sweeting Gives a Voice to Underrepresented Communities

In 2004, Sweeting partnered with the New College Student Alliance and 96.5 WSLR was born.

01/09/2023 By Isaac Eger

Unity Awards

Darren Gambrell Makes Higher Education More Accessible and Inclusive

“It is extremely important that we develop the cultural competence needed to better understand individuals from different backgrounds and cultures.”

01/09/2023 By Yasi Bahmanabadi

Unity Awards

Bill Sadlo Helps Youth Cope With Unprecedented Mental Health Challenges

“We go where the youth and families really need us.”

01/09/2023 By Lauren Jackson

Unity Awards

Dr. Manuel Gordillo Steers a Community Through a Deadly Pandemic

"I’m so proud of the health care system. These are humbling experiences.”

01/09/2023 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Andrea Blanch Uses a Trauma-Informed Approach to Solve Social Conflict

“My career has been about empowering other people to see their own strength and giving tools away so that people have what they need to make change happen."

01/09/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Unity Awards

Megan Howell Gives Unhoused People With Mental Illness a Chance to Get Back on Their Feet

"Mental illness isn't a choice, and we provide love and support for our clients even on their worst days."

01/09/2023 By Laura Paquette

Listen Up

A Sarasota Magazine Unity Award Winner and Editor Discuss the Battle for the Right to Vote

Local activist Demetrius Jifunza and Sarasota Magazine associate editor Isaac Eger appeared on WSLR 96.5 on Wednesday to talk about felons' voting rights.

12/22/2022 By Staff

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

Harvest House CEO Erin Minor Helps People in Crisis

Harvest House now has eight campuses with emergency shelters, transitional housing and 25 affordable rentals in Sarasota-Manatee.

01/04/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Unity Awards

Streets of Paradise's Greg Cruz Fights Homelessness in Sarasota-Manatee

“Anywhere that we can help with this homeless crisis, we will be on the frontlines. No questions asked.”

01/04/2022 By Marc Griffin

Unity Awards

Mary Tavarozzi Gives LGBTQ Youth a Place to Socialize

"I wanted to make sure Florida youth didn’t become a statistic in terms of self-harm or addiction or homelessness. I want them to know they can live life out and proud here.”

01/04/2022 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby Is Making Church a Place of Diversity and Inclusion

“The church and Christianity haven’t been and still aren’t always a safe place for folks. We know it takes a tremendous amount of courage to cross the threshold."

01/04/2022 By Allison Forsyth

Unity Awards

Nancy Parrish Is Reforming the Military Justice System

Parrish's Protect Our Defenders is the preeminent organization dedicated to ending the epidemic of sexual violence, victim retaliation and racism in the military.

01/04/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Unity Awards

Carolina Franco Is Building a Hub for the Spanish-Speaking Community

Franco welcomes people of all ages to CreArte Latino Cultural Center, where she serves as co-founder, president and artistic director.

01/04/2022 By Kay Kipling

Unity Awards

With Rise & Nye's, Beaver Shriver Created a Workplace of Dignity for People With Developmental Disabilities

“It’s a human rights movement disguised as a coffee and ice cream shop."

01/04/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Philanthropy

Virtual Walk Raises Money for Programs That Reduce Violence Against Women

The Gulf Coast chapter of UN Women is one of seven groups around the country participating in the event.

11/02/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Nominations Are Open for the 2022 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.

09/07/2021 By Staff

Unity Awards Alums

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

Annis was a 2020 Unity Award winner for his work as senior vice president of Collaboration and Impact for the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

03/02/2021

Unity Awards Alums

Father Celestino Gutiérrez Believes in the Golden Rule

Gutiérrez, a 2011 Unity Award winner, is a pastor at St. Jude Catholic Church/Hispanic-American Center

03/02/2021