2026 · Village Ball · Akron, Ohio

Awards Nomination Form

Nominations are being accepted for the Hero/Shero Awards (individuals) and the Nguzo Saba Awards (organizations) to be presented at The Village Ball. Nominees should embody the character, principles, and beliefs of the named awards.

⚑ Deadline: June 20, 2026 · Contact: Elder Beverly Woolridge · AkronROPI@gmail.com · 330.608.2480

Section 01 Recommender Information

Your Name *

Mobile Phone *

Email Address *

Section 02 Hero / Shero Awards — Individual Nominees

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. Award

Hero Award · Trailblazer

Organizer · Pan Africanist · Self-Reliant · Iconic Figure

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I recommend... *

1.1 — Briefly describe accomplishments & why you are nominating them *

Sojourner Truth Award

Shero Award · Activist

Abolitionist · Advocate · Bold · Courageous · Feminist

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I recommend... *

2.1 — Briefly describe accomplishments & why you are nominating them *

John Brown Award

Hero Award · Of Our Kin

Strategist · Courageous · Strong Moral Conviction

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I recommend... *

3.1 — Briefly describe accomplishments & why you are nominating them *

Section 03 Nguzo Saba Awards — Organization Nominees

Umoja — Unity Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

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I recommend... *

4.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Kujichagula — Self-Determination Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

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I recommend... *

5.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Ujima — Collective Works & Responsibility Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To build and maintain our community together and solve our problems together.

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I recommend... *

6.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Ujamaa — Cooperative Economics Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To build and maintain our own stores, shops and businesses and profit from them together.

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I recommend... *

7.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Nia — Purpose Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community.

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I recommend... *

8.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Kuumba — Creativity Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To do always as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful than we inherited it.

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I recommend... *

9.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Imani — Faith Award

Nguzo Saba · Organization

To believe with all our hearts in our people and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

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I recommend... *

10.1 — Briefly describe community activities & why you are nominating them *

Today's Date *

You do not need to complete every award category — only submit nominations for awards you wish to recommend. Required fields are marked with *.

By submitting this form your nomination will be received by AROPI at AkronROPI@gmail.com. Nominations must be received no later than June 20, 2026.

Please fill in all required fields before submitting.

✦

Nomination Received

Your nomination has been submitted successfully.
Thank you for uplifting your community.

Questions? Contact Elder Beverly Woolridge at AkronROPI@gmail.com or 330.608.2480.