The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper celebrated the city’s most dedicated advocates for equity and inclusion during its annual Champions of Impact awards ceremony, held Jan. 16 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.
The special event continues a decades-long tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations that drive meaningful progress in diversity, equity and inclusion across central Indiana.
The timing of the ceremony, held during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice and community empowerment.
“The Champions of Impact event was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose. Seeing more than 1,100 people in attendance underscored the significance of this moment, but what stood out most were the award winners themselves — individuals and organizations whose leadership, service and commitment are shaping the future of Indianapolis,” President and CEO of Recorder Media Group Robert Shegog said. “Their work reflects the very best of our city and reinforces why the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper continues to elevate stories that matter.”
Hundreds of attendees, representing over 40 local businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations filled the grand ballroom in formal attire for the affair. The event has long been a cornerstone of the city’s social justice calendar, bridging the legacy of the historic Indianapolis Recorder — one of the nation’s longest-running African American newspapers, currently in its 131st year — with contemporary community leadership.
This year’s award winners include:
- Marianne Glick – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award
- Brandi Davis-Handy – Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award
- Mamon Powers III – William G. Mays Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award
- Kevin D. Teasley – Lifetime Education Achievement Award
- Eunice Trotter – Amos Brown Community Advocate Award
- Indy Black Chamber of Commerce – President’s Choice Award
- Dennis Murphy – Visionary Leader Award
- Alderick “Al” London – Impact Leadership Award
- Kristian Stricklen – Legacy Award
- Vince Wong – Breaking Barriers Award
- Dr. Cameual Wright – Bridge to Impact Award
- Janmarie Connor – Industry Leader Award
- Matthew Murphy – Master of Finance Award
- Tonya Sisco – Changemaker Award
- Gregg Keesling – Civic Engagement Award
- Darrell Johnson – Distinguished Business Achiever Award
- Jarvis Jointer – Stewardship Young Leader Award
- Casey Harrison – Rising Star of Excellence Award
- GANGGANG – Voices of Culture Award
- Tracy Jackson – Empowerment Service Award
- Dr. Russell Ledet – Voice of Hope Award
- Jay Height – Community Impact Award
- Charlotte Hawthorne – Trailblazer Champion Award
- Jimmy Rayford – Social Innovation Mastermind Award
The Champions of Impact ceremony reaffirms the Indianapolis Recorder and Recorder Media Group’s enduring role not just as a chronicler of Black life and history in Indiana, but as an active convener and catalyst for the community’s future.
“Friday night was a night I will carry with me for a long time,” Rayford said. “I am deeply grateful to the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper for the honor of being recognized as a Champion of Impact. Being in a room with people who are truly doing the work of building opportunity and creating lasting change was both humbling and energizing. Moments like this are bigger than any one individual — they are about legacy, responsibility and the obligation we all have to leave things better than we found them.”
The 2027 Champions of Impact Awards will be held on January 17, 2027 at JW Marriott in Indianapolis.
View the 2026 Champions of Impact Awards recap on YouTube.
For more, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
