News: Announcing the 2020 Champions of Change Awards Finalists

Champions of Change Celebrates Trailblazers Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Austin


January 15, 2020 - Austin, TX - DivInc, Austin’s premier nonprofit organization driving diversity, equity and inclusion in the  startup ecosystem, today announced the event details and finalists for its 2nd annual Champions of Change Awards. DivInc hosts its signature fundraising event, Champions of Change, to celebrate individuals who are making Austin a truly inclusive community. 

This year’s event will take place at City Hall in Austin, Texas on March 5, 2020 from 6:30-9:00pm, followed by an after-party at City Hall from 9:00-11:00pm. 

Last year’s event held so much love – and power – in the room. We’re recreating that same feeling this year by bringing together a community of trailblazers in the Austin business community,” said Preston James, co-founder and CEO of DivInc, “As Austin grows quickly, a focus on diversity and inclusion is needed now more than ever. Champions of Change exists to honor the unsung heroes who are tirelessly and passionately promoting diversity, equity and inclusion day-in and day-out.

 
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A selection committee, made up of local business leaders and influencers, have selected winners for seven categories. The finalists include:

Executive of the Year: 

  • Marcus Carey, Threatcare

  • Kim Davis, NFP

  • Quincy Dunlap, Austin Urban League

  • Christopher Kennedy, Leadership Austin

  • Colette Pierce Burnette, Huston-Tillotson University

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader of the Year: 

  • Rubén Cantú, UT, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement

  • Kendall Evans, St. Andrew's Episcopal School

  • Muna Hussani, Indeed

  • Farah Muscadin, City of Austin

  • Dr. Kazique Prince, City of Austin

Investor of the Year:

  • Dr. Michael Barnes, Radical Equity Fund

  • Shaquille Gould, Former Investor at Quake Capital

  • Tom Meredith, Brightstar Partners

  • Sian Morson, Angel Investor

  • Zoe Schlag and Amos Schwartzfarb, Techstars

Student of the Year: 

  • Katherine Allen

  • Ariel Lee

  • Grant Loveless

  • Keegan McClure

  • Adithya Shakti Kumar

Nonprofit Leader of the Year: 

  • Elizabeth Henneke, Lone Star Justice Alliance

  • Monica Maldonado Williams, The New Philanthropist

  • Matt Stephenson, Code2College

  • Meme Styles, Measure Austin

  • Michael Ward, AUTM

Champion of the Year: 

  • Marcus Carrey, Threatcare

  • Chris Harris, Just Liberty

  • Erika Nguyen, Austin Recovery

  • Janice Omadeke, The Mentor Method

  • Pooja Sethi, The Law Offices of Pooja Sethi

Rising Star of the Year: 

  • Royce Brooks, Annie's List

  • Angelica Erazo, Oracle

  • Christine Hoang, Color Arc Productions

  • Lakeya Omagu, University of Texas

  • Kobla Tetey, Austin Urban League

People’s Choice Award:

This year, Champions of Change will also include a People’s Choice Award. Anyone can suggest a nominee who is trailblazing diversity and inclusion in the Austin community in important ways, large and small. To learn more or to make your nomination, please click HERE or visit: www.divinc.org/champions-of-change. 


The 2020 Champions of Change Selection Committee consists of: Dana Callender, Rubén Cantú, Clarissa Fuselier, Lisa Graham, Josh Jones-Dillworth, Naji H. Kelley, Hugh Forrest, Lisa Graham, Mindy Gulati, Christine McCarey, Chas Moore, Janice Omadeke, Colette Pierce-Burnette, Eugene Sepulveda and Leslie Wingo.

Tickets to the event are $50 per person and available at divinc.org/champions-of-change or on Eventbrite here.  Light bites and drinks will be provided. Proceeds from the event will go directly to support the mission of DivInc (501c3) – to bridge the gap between underrepresented entrepreneurs and the resources they need to build profitable, high-growth companies.

Champions of Change sponsors include: Wild Basin Investments LLC, Silicon Labs, Cushman & Wakefield, Vela Wood, Downtown Austin  Alliance, Capital City Innovation, Cirrus Logic, NFP and Jackson Walker.

Champions of Change Community Partners include: Huston Tillotson University, BLNDED Media, The University of Texas at Austin Inclusive Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Notley Ventures and Capital Factory.


For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Monica Morales at monica@divinc.org or (512) 699-1491.

 
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About DivInc

Founded in 2016, DivInc is a nonprofit organization focused on championing diversity, equity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem by fostering the growth and development of underrepresented founders. DivInc offers programs including a 12-week accelerator for early stage startups and builds partnerships with local government and non-government entities to drive systemic change.

The 12-week accelerator program helps founding teams ensure their companies are built for success. DivInc provides top-notch, comprehensive programming and connects founders with  an extensive network of mentors and investors, and the critical resources they need to turn their idea into a high-growth, scalable business. 


DivInc is located in Austin, TX. To learn more or to get involved, please contact us: https://www.divinc.org/contact. 


Watch the 2019 Champions of Change Recap Video on YouTube.







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