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

Unity Awards Alums

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

Edwards was a 2016 Unity Award winner and is the producing artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre.

03/02/2021

Unity Awards Alums

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

Glasco, a 2019 Unity Award winner, is the founder of Second Chance Last Opportunity.

03/01/2021

Unity Awards Alums

Robert Gussin on Building Bridges: ‘Tolerance Is Golden’

2019 Unity Award winners Robert Gussin, and his wife, Patricia, are retired top administrators from Johnson & Johnson, who have provided scholarships for youth. They are also the founders of Oceanview Publishing.

03/01/2021

Unity Awards Alums

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

Boxser won a 2014 Unity Award winner as the founder of the Boxser Diversity Initiative.

03/01/2021

Unity Awards Alums

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

Jones, a 2014 Unity Award winner, is CEO of The Haven.

03/01/2021

Unity Awards

Unity Award Winners Receive Honorariums from Community Foundation

The honorariums will support nonprofit causes chosen by this year’s honorees.

02/23/2021 By Staff

Unity Awards

Join Us for Our 2021 Unity Awards Celebration

This year's event is going digital—we invite you to join us on Feb. 23 at noon to honor our champions of diversity.

02/05/2021 By Staff

Unity Awards

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

"We’re all human; Black businesses want the American dream, too."

01/12/2021 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

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

“My interest has always been to be somebody who contributes to social justice."

01/12/2021 By Kay Kipling

Unity Awards

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

“We want no wait list for care for children below the poverty line. We’ll never rest on our laurels.”

01/12/2021 By Kay Kipling

Unity Awards

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

“We’re problem solvers, or at least we like to think we are."

01/12/2021 By Ilene Denton