Announcing the 2023 Community Sentinel Awards

“She cleared a path through thick forest to lead the way,” an excerpt from one of this year’s nominations said, “and laboriously held back the branches so that we as the next generation can step up and clear the trail in her wake.”

These words — one of many heartfelt admirations we have received from people across the country recognizing the courage, love, and persistence of their friends and colleagues working for a healthier, more sustainable future — serve as an important reminder that these remarkable leaders help make a better world possible by blazing a path toward the future we envision for ourselves and for generations to come.

Each year, the Community Sentinel Awards show us that individuals truly possess the power to ignite collective action and inspire us to reflect on our own roles in this shared narrative. In the words of Chanté Davis, recipient of the 2022 Community Sentinel Youth Advocate Award, “We all have a place in this movement, and, together, we can move mountains.”

Meet Our Community Sentinels

In an outpouring of support for grassroots leaders across the country, we received over 40 distinct nominations for the 2023 Community Sentinel Award this year. Though it was a challenging decision, our distinguished panel of judges have selected five award winners, and we’re thrilled to introduce them to you.