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

Unity Awards

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

“Gender inequality is bad for everyone. It’s bad for men. It’s bad for women. It’s bad for societies.”

01/12/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

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

"I seek balance, fairness and understanding.”

01/12/2021 By Susan Burns

Unity Awards

New College Professor Queen Zabriskie Creates Powerful Conversations About Race

“To be able to do this work is an honor, a joy and a responsibility.”

01/12/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Unity Awards

Trevor Harvey Has Spent Decades Fighting for Newtown

“In spite of our differences we can still have meaningful dialogue and fellowship.”

01/12/2021 By Susan Burns

Unity Awards

Nominations Are Open for the 2021 Unity Awards

We want to honor the members of our community committed to bridging divides across racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and physical and mental ability groups.

09/02/2020 By Staff

Unity Awards

Robert Rogers Started the Conversation With LGBTQ Elders About Loss and Legacy

“I’m a better person because of the generosity of all these people who’ve chosen to talk to me.”

01/30/2020 By Ilene Denton

Unity Awards

Phil Mockler Aids 'The Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Those Who Put Their Life on the Line Every Day'

Everyday Heroes USA supports military and first responders.

01/30/2020 By Hannah Wallace

Unity Awards

Kevin Swan Raises Funds and Awareness to Benefit ALS Patients

Swan's A Life Story Foundation has raised $1.5 million for ALS research, awareness and education.

01/30/2020 By Sarafina Murphy-Gibson

Unity Awards

Gabriel Ortiz Changes Young Lives Through the Power of Theater

“My life is about stories, tracing one point to the next. That’s what I say to my kids: ‘How do we take over our narratives?’”

01/30/2020 By Hannah Wallace