On October 12, 2026, RISE San Diego will honor and celebrate community leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion and showcase work that is making a real difference in San Diego County at our annual ILIA (Inclusive Leadership in Action) Awards.
The community nomination period for the 2026 ILIA Awards is now open. To nominate an individual or organization, please review the award categories below, select the one that best describes your nominee, and share why you're nominating them:
The community nomination period for the 2026 ILIA Awards is now open. To nominate an individual or organization, please review the award categories below, select the one that best describes your nominee, and share why you're nominating them:
- How does your nominee demonstrate the spirit of the ILIA Award category you selected?
- Please describe a particular action, program, or project led by your nominee that highlights their community leadership.
- What impact has your nominee’s leadership made in the lives of the people and communities of San Diego County?
Our team appreciates your nominations of individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive leadership. We look forward to honoring those whose efforts best exemplify significant, sustainable, and meaningful impact in the lives of San Diego County residents.
Nominations will close on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT.
Visit our website to learn more about the awards, including information on previous honorees and nominees and much more.
Should you have any questions, please contact our team at RISE at events@risesandiego.org.
2026 ILIA AWARDS CATEGORIES
For Individuals
COLLECTIVE RESILIENCE ADVOCATE AWARD
Honors a leader who has shown dedication and action to address and support a community’s ability to come together to combat or resist adverse circumstances. This award recognizes the work of fostering adaptation, growth, and resiliency within communities to more readily respond to and recover from problems together.
COMMUNITY CHANGE AGENT AWARD
Honors a leader who has shown dedication and action to make real, sustainable, and systemic change through the creation of innovative programs, policy, platforms, or partnerships. This award recognizes the work of assisting the community’s ability to thrive in areas such as education, social enterprise, health, and wellness, or advocacy.
CULTURE SHIFTER AWARD
Honors a leader who has shown dedication and action in shifting the culture of organizations and communities alike. This award recognizes the effort of guiding groups to face a new challenge, disrupt outdated or harmful norms, and become more reflective and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
NEXT-GEN INFLUENCER AWARD
Honors a leader between the ages of 16 and 25. This award recognizes the voices of young adults who have shown dedication and action within their communities and are growing into their roles as action-driven thought leaders.
RESTORATIVE PRACTITIONER AWARD
Honors a leader who has shown dedication and action in fostering spaces of healing and compassion for others. This award recognizes the commitment to restorative practices delivered with grace, empathy, and a strong ethic of care in support of diverse community groups.
THE ANTHONY M. MEDINA PEOPLE’S CHAMPION AWARD
Honors a leader who has been an advocate and champion for under-served or marginalized communities. It recognizes advocacy in words and in action to bring about meaningful change for the people. The award is named in honor of the late Anthony M. Medina, a RISE Urban Leadership Fellow and ILIA award recipient, who founded People’s Legal Services to provide free and low-cost legal support to underserved communities.
For Organizations
ORGANIZATION FOR CHANGE AWARD
Honors an organization that has shown dedication and action to confronting challenges and spearheading opportunities to support and uplift San Diegans in meaningful and impactful ways. This award recognizes the efforts of organizations and their teams to deliver exceptional programming and services for the communities they serve.
Questions marked with an asterisk * are required.