ASPA Awards
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Exemplary Practice Award
This award is presented to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to a more equal society. Up to four awards may be presented to individuals and/or organizations representing the following categories: federal, state or local government units; educational institutions; nonprofit institutions; private sector organizations.
A narrative, not exceeding five pages in length, will provide the basis for the nomination. Emphasis will be on achievement and results, not simply effort. The following will also apply:
Complexity of the problems addressed and organizations directed
Severity of the problems addressed
Use of original/innovative/effective approaches
Impact of contributions
A recipient of an ASPA or ASPA Endowment Award may not receive the same award more than once. An ASPA or ASPA Endowment award recipient must wait at least one year after receiving it before being eligible for a different one. Up to four awards may be presented to individuals and/or organizations representing the following categories: federal, state or local government units; educational institutions; nonprofit institutions; and private sector organizations.
Open Now
2027 ASPA Award Nominations
Nominations are open for awards presented at the 2027 Annual Conference.
Past Winners
2025
Most recent
Policy Pathways, D. Pulane Lucas
2024
Drive to Work, Richmond, Virginia
Emergency Legal Responders, New Orleans, Louisiana
2023
Colia Liddell Lafayette Clark
Janice Underwood
2022
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Sacred Heart Center
2021
Matt Allen
Kara-Johnson Hufford
National Low Income Housing Coalition
RVA Eviction Lab (VCU)
2020
Community Building Initiative, Charlotte (NC)
2019
Rhode Island Judiciary
2018
Christopher Orlea
2017
Patricia Robertson
2016
Frances Harriet Williams
2015
Akron Peace Makers
2014
Professor Emeritus Sylvester Murray
U.S. Rep. John Lewis
Mayor Michael Nutter
Dream Big Community Center
2013
Viola Baskerville (former Virginia State Delegate)
Albany State University
Southwest Georgia Project, Inc.
2012
City of Seattle's Race & Social Justice Initiative (City Government)
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) (Education)
Community Students Learning Center (Nonprofit)
2010
Millennium Momentum Foundation Inc.