Leadership Class Awards
Criteria and Category Descriptions
The Board of Directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. acknowledges the outstanding work of our Hispanic leaders by awarding their great work in the Tampa Bay Area.
Criteria for Nominations:
● Nominees must be Hispanic and may be from the public or private sector. Nominations are accepted in 8 categories: Arts, Business, Civic Involvement, Health, Education, Public Service/Government, Media, and Orgullo.
● Nominees must have achieved outstanding success in their chosen fields, whether it is a traditional career or an active career of volunteer service. Nominees must have resided in the Tampa Bay area for at least three years. Current Board members, former Board members within the last two years, past recipients, and sponsors are not eligible for nominations. Nominees may not be elected officials unless it is for the Public Service/Government Award.
Category Descriptions:
Arts
A Hispanic individual or organization who excels in their field of art. Traditional categories within the arts include: Literature (including poetry, drama, story, and so on), the visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.), the graphic arts (painting, drawing, design, and other forms expressed on flat surfaces), the plastic arts (sculpture, modeling), the performing arts (theater, dance, music), music (as composition), and architecture.
Business
This award celebrates a Hispanic individual or organization who excels in their field of business. Businesses can be for-profit entities or non-profit organizations.
Civic Involvement Award
This award celebrates outstanding contributions by Hispanic individuals or organizations, whether in the public or private sector, who demonstrate exceptional commitment to improving their community. Civic involvement involves actively working to enhance the quality of life and unity within a community through various means, such as promoting education, skills development, and fostering a sense of togetherness. This can include activities like voter registration drives, community clean-up efforts, gardening initiatives, charity fundraising, and more.
Health
This award celebrates a Hispanic individual or organization of the public or private sector who excels in their field of medicine. Includes MD, DC, DO, nurses, mental health therapists, DPT, OT, Speech, etc.
Education
This award celebrates a Hispanic individual or organization in the public or private sector who excels in their field of education. K-12 grades and university level.
Public Service/Government Award
This award recognizes exceptional Hispanic individuals or organizations from the public or private sectors who excel in the realm of public service or government. Public service encompasses roles within government entities, organizations contracted by the government, or non-profit organizations dedicated to public benefit. This includes employment at any level of government (city, county, state, or federal) or agency, as well as most non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, except labor unions, partisan political groups, or those primarily engaged in religious activities. Please note this does not include current elected officials or
currently running for office.
Media
This award celebrates a Hispanic individual or organization of the public or private sector who excels in their field of media.
Orgullo Award
The Orgullo Award stands as a testament to the profound impact that individuals outside the Hispanic community can have in promoting, preserving, and celebrating Hispanic culture. This prestigious category is exclusively dedicated to non-Hispanic individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to advancing Hispanic culture, regardless of their field of expertise. Whether through advocacy, education, artistic expression, or community engagement, recipients of the Orgullo Award exemplify unwavering dedication and passion in fostering understanding, appreciation, and inclusivity of Hispanic heritage.