REGIONAL NONPROFITS WIN AT UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE’S INAUGURAL CHANGE AWARDS
Phyllis Nichols named first member of the new Knoxville Nonprofit Hall of Fame
Organizational leaders and nonprofits including East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Muse Knoxville and Volunteer Ministry Center were recognized earlier this month at The Change Awards, a new recognition event hosted by United Way of Greater Knoxville.
The sell-out event, which took place at The Mill & Mine in downtown Knoxville, honored outstanding results by the area’s nonprofit community. The evening was a first-of-a-kind awards program to exclusively recognize both agencies and individuals for leadership, innovation and collaboration in the region.
Two independent judging panels included representatives from across UWGK’s footprint, and recognized agencies and individuals for awards including Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year, Leadership in Equity & Inclusion and Fundraising Professional of the Year.
In addition, the Change Awards recognized Phyllis Nichols as the first entrant into the newly established Knoxville Nonprofit Hall of Fame. Nichols retired from her role as president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League after almost thirty years with the organization. A full list of winners can be found below.
“We have an incredibly vibrant nonprofit community and collaborative culture in the region. Our winning individuals and organizations are driving continuous improvement toward attaining greater quality of life and long-term change for people with all kinds of needs,” said United Way of Greater Knoxville President and CEO Matt Ryerson. “The Change Awards celebrate another year of transformative achievement and innovation, reflecting our appreciation for the people and organizations who exemplify our ‘Unite for Change‘ mission.”
The event took place on December 2 to mark its 100th anniversary of service to the community. The awards also featured a performance by Knoxville Poet Laureate Rhea “Sunshine” Carmon, as well as a moment of silence to mark the tragic recent passing of Marble City Opera Managing Director Brandon Gibson.
2022 CHANGE AWARDS WINNERS
Knoxville Nonprofit Hall of Fame Inductee
Phyllis Nichols, CEO, Knoxville Area Urban League
Agency Awards
Large Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year
The McNabb Center & East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
Small Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year
Nourish Knoxville & CAC Beardsley Community Farm
Large Agency Innovator of the Year
Volunteer Ministry Center
Small Agency Innovator of the Year
New Direction Health Care Solutions
Leadership in Equity & Inclusion Award – Large Agency
Muse Knoxville
Leadership in Equity & Inclusion Award – Small Agency
A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee
Individual Awards
Change Leader Award
Reico Hopewell, The Mend House
Innovator of the Year
Marisa Moazen, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Fundraising Professional of the Year
Grace Bennett, Young-Williams Animal Center
Digital Trailblazer of the Year
Tommy Dodson, Hillcrest Healthcare
Marketer of the Year
Tyrone Beach, Muse Knoxville
Young Professional of the Year
Porschia Pickett, Wesley House Community Center
Recognition for Businesses
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Bank of America Corporation
