National Association for Multicultural Education Logo

Advancing and Advocating for Social Justice & Equity


NAME's Annual Awards provide national
and international recognition of individuals, groups and institutions who are making outstanding contributions toward multicultural education, educational equity and social justice.
 


The Call for NOMINATIONS
for 
NAME's 2025 Awards is OPEN until September 15th
11:59pm ET

Each year members of NAME are invited to nominate outstanding colleagues and agencies to receive one of NAME’s Annual Awards for their superlative work in the fields of
Multicultural Education and social justice.

PLEASE NOTE:  All nomination submissions must be made online via the NAME Awards Nominations Submission System. 

NOMINATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

Thank you for your interest in submitting a nomination for the 2025 NAME Awards that recognize outstanding contributions to multicultural education, equity and social justice.  Making nominations is a membership benefit for NAME members.


When you submit a nomination for a NAME Award, you must understand and agree to the following guidelines:

  • Submitting nominations is a membership benefit for NAME members. 
  • Nominees must be current members in good standing of NAME. Membership of nominees will be verified.
  • All nominations will be made electronically through the NAME Awards nomination submission system.
  • I understand that for each nomination I must submit a nomination letter addressing why the nominee should receive the award based on the award criteria.
  • I will submit all electronic materials and related weblinks to support my nomination that will be helpful to the Awards Committee’s. For example --
    • If nominating a film or video, I will provide a link to the video, post the film/video on YouTube or other film viewing website, and provide a link (and access and password, if required to view) to the film/video in the nomination and document.  
    • If nominating a book, I will include an electronic copy of at least 10% of the book or a link to the electronic version of the book, when I upload the nomination materials.
  • Nominations without documentation will not be considered for an award. 
  • Nominations for current national board members will not be accepted.
  • All persons submitting nominations must be current members in good standing of NAME. Membership of nominators will be verified.  
  • I understand that self-nominations are not accepted.
  • I understand that nominees must be aware that the nomination is being submitted.
  • I understand that when making the nomination I must submit the following information to be used, should my nominee receive the award:
    • a brief bio (150 words max) of the nominee for the award program
    • a photo of the nominee
  • I understand that award winners must be available to attend the NAME conference, November 21.
  • I will not nominate anyone who cannot attend the NAME conference to receive their award.
  • I understand that I, the nominator, will be notified of the Award Committee's decision regarding my nomination.
  • I understand that it is my responsibility, as nominator to notify the award winner.
  • I understand that the award winners will receive the following:
    • the NAME Award,
    • inclusion in the NAME Awards program (if the required info is provided by the deadline), and
    • inclusion on the NAME Awards website pages.

Suggestions for NARRATIVE: 

  • Has the work of the recipient challenged our thinking about multicultural theory and practice?
  • Has the work of the recipient contributed to a better understanding or clarification of the manner in which culture is lived out in our daily lives?
  • Has the work of the recipient helped to clarify or support ongoing debate and discussion about multicultural issues?
  • Has the work of the recipient assisted educators (all levels) in implementing a more comprehensive multicultural program?
  • Has the work of the recipient supported or helped clarify the connections between multicultural issues at the personal or individual level, the school or district level, the community level, and/or in the broader society?
  • Does the work of the recipient clearly support NAME’s commitment to a more just and equitable society


Submitting a NAME Award nomination is a benefit of NAME membership.

CLICK the AWARD BELOW for the standards & criteria for each category:

• Rose Duhon-Sells Multicultural Program Award
• G. Pritchy Smith Multicultural Educator of the Year Award
Philip C. Chinn Multicultural Book Award
• Carl A. Grant Research Award
• Carter Godwin Woodson Award
• NAME Multicultural Children’s Publication Award
• NAME Multicultural Film/Media Award
• NAME Presidential Chapter Award
• Bette Tate-Beaver Service Award
• Agency/Institution/Corporate Award
• Equity and Social Justice Advocacy Award 


CLICK to SUBMIT AWARDS Nomination

NAME Award Nominations will remain open until, September 15, 2025 at 11:59 EST.

QUESTIONS?  Contact awards@nameorg.org


Standards & Criteria for NAME Awards


 ROSE DUHON-SELLS PROGRAM AWARD

This Award is given to an educational organization (e.g., school, community group) whose program exemplifies NAME goals. 
A Multicultural Program may be nominated for this NAME Award if it meets the following eligibility criteria:

  • The mission and goals of the program reflect attention to multiple facets of diversity.

  • The program meets the needs of a diverse population or seeks to expand multiculturalism for monocultural populations. 

  • The program offers a curriculum that responds to the diversity of our nation and prepares students to be active participants in our democratic society. 

  • The program offers effective instructional strategies for the population it serves.

  • The program fosters connections between home, school, and community.

  • There are documented results to share with the larger educational community.

  • Two awards may be presented each year; one for a LOCAL effort in the community where our national conference is
    held, and one from any other location.



 PHILLIP C. CHINN MULTICULTURAL BOOK AWARD

The Multicultural Book Award is given to a trade or textbook used primarily by adults. 

The book must meet the following eligibility criteria :

  • Fosters awareness, acceptance, and affirmation of diversity in society.

  • Is an original work that has wide audience appeal and creates an interest in multicultural issues.

  • Contributes to the development of multicultural education (e.g., adds to the knowledge base, informs policymakers,
    fosters personal growth).

  • The author has appropriate credentials (e.g., has worked in the field of multicultural education or with
    multicultural populations).

  • Maintains high multicultural standards in its genre (e.g. scholarly, well written, well illustrated, well researched).

 


  G. PRITCHY SMITH MULTICULTURAL EDUCATOR AWARD

A multicultural educator can be a PreK through 12th grade classroom teacher, a teacher in higher education, a community
activist or any person, including a student who serves to educate others. An educator may be nominated for this NAME Award if he or she meets the following eligibility criteria:

  • There is evidence of long term, scholarly commitment to teaching from a multicultural perspective.
  • There are multiple facets of diversity (e.g., race, ethnicity, social class, gender, language, sexual orientation, exceptionality,
    belief systems) addressed in the recipient's work.
  • The recipient is an example of multicultural ideals and practices (e.g., teaching excellence, service in the community, participation
    in local, regional, or national organizations).
  • The recipient is able to blend theory and practice in a manner that develops awareness, acceptance, and affirmation of diversity.
  • Please provide a statement of how the nominee has promoted excellence in multicultural education. Include links to any
    other helpful documentation.

Two awards may be given; one for a person from the area where our national conference is held, and one from any other location. 


 CARTER GODWIN WOODSON SERVICE AWARD

The Carter G. Woodson Service Award is named for Dr. Woodson in recognition of his dynamic scholarly leadership in establishing the origins of the multicultural movement by building an institution devoted to correcting the misinterpretations in American History being taught to the children of America when he established The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now African American Life and History (ASALH)) in 1915. When Dr. Woodson began Negro History Week in 1926 that ultimately became Black History Month in 1976, his desire was that other ethnic groups would follow this model to add to the annals of United States history their rich historical contributions as well. In the 1980s, thirty years after his death, his dream was realized when groups throughout the country began to establish month-long celebrations honoring their cultural legacies. In the tradition of Dr. Woodson, the Woodson Award symbolizes excellence in multicultural writing, scholarship and achievements in multicultural life, history and culture.

The Carter Godwin Woodson Service Award is presented to an individual whose career has been highlighted with service to multicultural education that continuously corrects the deficiencies in American history where African American History and the history of other cultures is misinterpreted, distorted, or ignored. 

The NAME Woodson Award symbolizes excellence in research, writing, scholarship, service to the community, mentoring and achievement in multicultural life, history and culture. In the Woodson tradition, the recipient's career is distinguished through at least a decade of work in the field of multiculturalism and must have contributed and/or published in the field of multiculturalism. The person selected must be a servant to the community and must have contributed to the National Association for Multicultural Education.


 

 CARL A. GRANT RESEARCH AWARD

An Award will be given to an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to advancing our knowledge of
multicultural education through research. An educator/researcher may be nominated for this NAME Award if he or she meets the following eligibility criteria:

  • Long term, scholarly commitment to multicultural education.
  • A multicultural theoretical framework with an established chain of inquiry.
  • The research addresses multiple facets of diversity. 
  • Investigates complex issues in novel ways that lead to deeper understanding of the manner in which multicultural
    issues manifest themselves in schools and society.
  • Established publication record.
  • Established record of sharing research results with colleagues in professional forums.
  • Break new ground in our thinking about multicultural issues.

Two awards may be given; one for a person from the area where our national conference is held, and one from any other location.


 

NAME MULTICULTURAL FILM/MEDIA AWARD

In order for a media selection to be considered for the NAME Media Award, it must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Fosters awareness, acceptance, and affirmation of diversity in society.
  • It is an original work that has wide audience appeal and creates an interest in multicultural issues.
  • Contributes to the development of multicultural education (e.g., adds to the knowledge base, informs policymakers,
    fosters personal growth).
  • The author has appropriate credentials (e.g., has worked in the field of multicultural education or with multicultural
    populations).
  • Maintains high multicultural standards in its genre.


 

NAME MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S PUBLICATION AWARD

For a children's publication to be considered for this NAME Award, it must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Fosters awareness, acceptance, and affirmation of diversity with PreK through grade 12 students.
  • It is an original work that has wide audience appeal and creates an interest in multicultural issues.
  • Contributes to the development of multicultural education (e.g., adds to the knowledge base, fosters personal growth).
  • The author has appropriate credentials (e.g., has worked in the field of multicultural education or with multicultural
    populations).
  • Maintains high multicultural standards in its genre (e.g., scholarly, well written, well illustrated, well researched).


 

AnchorBETTE TATE-BEAVER AWARD

This award is a tribute to the legacy of our past Executive Director, Bette Tate Beaver.
She was a quintessential model of someone who lived a life of service through
volunteering. The successful recipient of this award should exemplify the following
characteristics:


Active member of NAME for 5 years
Documented unpaid acts of volunteer service to benefit NAME
Actively engaged in community organizations that align with the vision and
mission of NAME
Volunteering must be completed within the past 12 months
Submit a 1500 narrative word statement on why they should receive the award.
Answer the following questions in the statement:
o What was their contribution to NAME?
o What difference or input has their contribution made to NAME?
o What is unique or extraordinary about their contribution to NAME?


 

NAME EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY AWARD

The Equity and Social Justice Advocacy Award is given annually to an individual in the public sphere who has used her or his celebrity or social standing to advocate for the elimination of oppression and the establishment of equity and social justice in schools and the larger society. 

The recipient must have demonstrated her or his advocacy through activism, not simply through financial contributions. Activism can include, but is not limited to, political or community organizing, leading or participating in educational campaigns regarding social justice and human rights, engaging the arts for social justice advocacy, playing a leadership role in a non-governmental agency or non-profit organization that advocates educational equity and social justice, or demonstrating a more general and consistent commitment to advocating for the political and educational rights of dispossessed people.


Two awards may be given; one for a person from the area where our national conference is held, and one from any other location.



NAME PRESIDENTIAL CHAPTER AWARD

This Award will be presented annually to the President of the chapter that has shown exemplary recruitment, retention of
members and whose programs and activities exemplifies NAME goals.
A Chapter may be nominated for this NAME Award if it meets the following eligibility criteria:

  • The mission and goals of the chapter reflect attention to multiple facets of diversity.
  • The chapter meets the needs of a diverse population or seeks to expand multiculturalism in education. 
  • The chapter offers programs or holds conferences that responds to the diversity of our nation and prepares participants
    to be active in our democratic society. 
  • There are documented results to share with the larger educational community.
  • The members of this chapter must also hold a current membership with the national organization.
  • The chapter must be in good standing with the National Office.


 

NAME MULTICULTURAL AGENCY/INSTITUTION AWARD

This award is given to an agency (e.g. agency, corporation, institution, business) that  has made a major contribution to the 
supporting and advancing the  of work described in the mission and goals of NAME. 



Congratulations to our 2024 Winners!